One of the most important skills a travel photographer can develop is the ability to discover unique and photogenic locations. A breathtaking landscape or vibrant cultural moment can elevate your portfolio, increase your content’s shareability, and attract more attention across platforms. But finding the right places to shoot isn’t just about luck — it’s a process that combines research, instinct, timing, and local insight.
In this complete guide, you’ll learn how to effectively find the best locations for travel photography, using smart planning, digital tools, and creative techniques. This article uses natural language processing (NLP) strategies and high-salience keyword structures to improve SEO while providing real value to aspiring travel photographers. We’ll also explore semantic LSI keywords like photography spots, scenic destinations, and hidden travel gems to help reinforce the topic.
Start with Purpose: What Do You Want to Capture?
Before you begin researching locations, define the type of travel photography you want to focus on. This helps guide your search and prevents information overload.
Ask yourself:
- Do I want to shoot landscapes, urban life, or cultural portraits?
- Am I looking for hidden gems or famous landmarks?
- Is my goal to create content for social media, magazines, or stock libraries?
- Do I prefer natural settings or human-centric scenes?
Your creative direction will influence the countries, cities, or neighborhoods you explore — and even the time of day you shoot.
Use Online Research Tools to Scout Destinations
The internet is one of your most powerful tools for discovering photography spots in advance. With the right approach, you can find both iconic scenes and local secrets.
Use these platforms effectively:
- Instagram: Search by hashtags (e.g. #hiddeneurope, #sunsetviewsbali) and location tags. Look through tagged posts to spot unique angles others might have missed.
- Pinterest: Great for visual discovery and lists like “Best photo spots in Lisbon” or “Underrated places in Morocco.”
- Google Earth & Google Maps: Use satellite and street view to virtually explore terrain and plan compositions before arriving.
- 500px & Flickr: Explore high-quality travel images by location to understand light, angles, and popular framing.
- Travel blogs: Especially valuable for off-the-beaten-path recommendations. Bloggers often provide practical directions, safety tips, and shooting advice.
- YouTube: Search for walking tours or vlogs to preview a location’s vibe in motion.
Use keywords such as “photo locations + city name”, “best photography spots in…”, or “underrated places to photograph” to uncover high-salience, low-competition content.
Look Beyond the Tourist Guidebooks
While top attractions can deliver great shots, the most impactful images often come from unpredictable moments in lesser-known areas. That’s where creative travel photography shines.
Try these techniques:
- Wander on foot or bike away from main attractions
- Visit residential neighborhoods, old towns, or market districts
- Explore rooftop cafes or viewpoints that locals frequent
- Go to places at unusual times — early morning, during rain, or after sunset
The more personal and original your locations, the more distinct your work will be. That uniqueness is what sets apart hobbyists from professionals.
Talk to Locals and Travelers
Sometimes, the best photo opportunities aren’t on any map — they’re in the memory of someone who lives there.
Ways to gather local insights:
- Ask guesthouse or hotel staff where they go to relax or enjoy the view
- Chat with street vendors or drivers — many have deep local knowledge
- Join local photography meetups or Facebook groups
- Use Couchsurfing or TravelMassive to connect with like-minded explorers
When you show interest in the culture and not just the image, people often open up — and may even guide you to places tourists never see.
Pay Attention to Light and Time of Day
The same location can look entirely different at various times of the day. If you want to make the most of a place, timing is everything.
Golden hour and blue hour are your best friends:
| Time of Day | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Golden Hour | Soft, warm light, flattering shadows |
| Blue Hour | Deep, moody tones for dramatic photos |
| Early Morning | Fewer crowds, calm atmosphere |
| Midday | Harsh light — only good with filters or shade |
| Night | Great for cityscapes, long exposure, neon vibes |
Use apps like PhotoPills, The Photographer’s Ephemeris, or Sun Surveyor to plan ahead and know exactly where the light will be at any given time.
Timing and lighting directly affect salience in visual content — Google increasingly values well-lit, high-resolution, and compositionally strong images.
Follow the Weather — or Embrace It
Weather plays a huge role in how your photo turns out. While blue skies are nice, overcast days can provide soft, even lighting, and storms can create drama and depth.
Use weather apps to your advantage:
- Windy.com or AccuWeather for real-time conditions
- Clear Outside for photographers who need cloud cover info
- Plan photos around fog, snow, or light rain for mood and texture
Don’t cancel your shoot due to “bad” weather — lean into it and capture the mood.
Use Location-Based Hashtags and SEO-Driven Search Terms
When planning your photography trip — or creating content around it — think like a local and a content strategist.
High-impact LSI keywords:
- scenic photography spots
- instagrammable locations
- hidden photo gems
- photo-worthy destinations
- best views in [city/country]
- travel photo inspiration
- local photo guide
- street photography locations
- unique places to shoot
- off-the-beaten-path visuals
Integrate these phrases into your portfolio, blog posts, or captions to maximize search visibility and relevance in Google’s semantic indexing system.
Create a Location Shot List and Map
Once you’ve identified key spots, create a simple shot list. This keeps you focused, helps manage time, and ensures you don’t miss important angles or moments.
Sample Shot List:
- Sunrise at Mount Bromo viewpoint
- Street portraits at Marrakech Medina
- Blue hour at Charles Bridge, Prague
- Golden hour on Ha Long Bay boat deck
- Rooftop view of Tokyo at dusk
Pair your list with a custom map using Google My Maps. Add notes, tags, and even upload sample reference photos to each location pin.
Revisit Locations for Different Perspectives
Great photos often come from multiple visits to the same place. Conditions change. Crowds shift. Light evolves.
Revisiting helps you:
- Discover better angles
- Catch different weather
- Build deeper understanding of the scene
- Refine your vision and composition
Pro tip:
Keep a digital or physical photographer’s notebook where you log locations, time of day, gear settings, and ideas for next time.
Consider Safety, Accessibility, and Local Laws
Not all beautiful locations are safe or legal to photograph. Research access rules, ask for permission, and be respectful of cultural boundaries.
Things to watch for:
- Drone restrictions or no-fly zones
- Private property or sacred areas
- Photography bans in certain government or military spaces
- Permits required for commercial photography
Use common sense, discretion, and empathy when photographing people and places — especially in indigenous or spiritual communities.
Build Location Collections Over Time
Instead of trying to find all the best places in one trip, start building collections as you go.
Examples:
- “Desert Landscapes of North Africa”
- “Coastal Villages of Southern Italy”
- “Urban Street Life in Southeast Asia”
- “Remote Islands of the Pacific”
These collections can feed your portfolio, photo books, print shop, or blog series, increasing long-term content value and salience across your brand.
Final Thoughts: Exploration Fuels Creation
Finding the best locations for travel photography is as much about the journey as it is about the destination. Great photos aren’t always in the most obvious places — they’re often waiting in the shadows, on the side streets, or in the quiet corners tourists miss.
With research, curiosity, and creative patience, you can build a visual library of places that resonate deeply with both viewers and search engines. Combine intentional planning, on-the-ground exploration, and story-driven documentation, and you’ll transform ordinary locations into unforgettable visual experiences.
Your next unforgettable shot may be just around the corner — if you know how to look for it.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. How do I find unique photography spots that aren’t overcrowded?
Start by researching local blogs, Pinterest boards, and Instagram location tags. Avoid the first few Google results and dig deeper into travel forums, Google Maps satellite view, and travel vlogs. Speaking with locals and wandering off the main path also leads to authentic, less-visited locations.
2. Is it okay to photograph people or communities in unfamiliar countries?
Only with respect and permission. Always ask before photographing people, especially in traditional or sacred contexts. When possible, build rapport and share the image afterward. In some cultures, it may be offensive or even illegal to photograph individuals without consent.
3. What are some tools that help with location scouting?
- Google Earth / Google Maps for terrain and landmark exploration
- PhotoPills / The Photographer’s Ephemeris for light and sun tracking
- Instagram / Pinterest for visual inspiration
- 500px / Flickr for professional examples
- Google My Maps to organize and pin your shot list
4. How important is the time of day for capturing great travel photos?
Extremely important. Light changes everything. Golden hour (after sunrise, before sunset) adds warmth and depth, while blue hour (before sunrise, after sunset) gives a moody, cinematic look. Even famous landmarks can look completely different depending on light and time.
5. What if I can’t visit a place more than once — how can I still get a great shot?
- Arrive early to scout the scene
- Use weather apps to understand lighting conditions
- Study how other photographers captured the spot
- Be patient and ready — some of the best moments come unexpectedly
- Capture both wide and detail shots for variety
6. How can I find places that aren’t on Instagram already?
Try using non-English search terms, explore smaller towns or regions near major destinations, and ask locals for places they love but don’t advertise. Look for natural reserves, villages, or cultural sites that aren’t listed in the typical tourist guides.