How to find photography spots: A travel photographers Guide

Ever show up to a photo spot and think… well, that was underwhelming? Maybe it was packed with people, the light was all wrong, or worse,  the spot didn’t even exist anymore.

Yeah, we’ve been there too.

When we first started travelling to shoot, we kind of winged it. Sometimes we lucked out with great photos, but more often than not, we hit bad weather, arrived too late, or found half the place fenced off for construction.

It didn’t take long to realise that if we wanted to get those jaw-dropping travel shots, we needed to get serious about planning.

The truth is, knowing how to find photography spots before you even book your flight can completely change the game. With the right tools and a little strategy, you can show up at the right place, at the right time, with the right light — and skip all the stress in between.

If you’re a photographer who’s ready to start travelling and capturing amazing shots, but your results never quite match the vision in your head, this post is for you.

We’re sharing everything we’ve learned about researching photo spots. From the apps we swear by to how we check for weather, safety, and even construction so you can make the most of every shoot, every time.

Use Instagram to find dreamy spots for photography

Instagram isn’t just for selfies and sunsets. It’s an excellent way to find photography spots.

The best travel photographers use the platform to showcase their work and grow their audience. That means it’s in their interest to tag locations, and that just so happens to be very helpful for you.

Start by typing the place name into the Instagram search bar. It can be hit or miss. Sometimes, you’ll find stunning landscapes and interesting angles and other times it’s just endless mirror selfies in hotel rooms. But don’t give up too quickly.

Try searching by hashtag too. Add photography to the place name.

For example, #hanoiphotography and you’ll often uncover a richer set of images. These tags tend to lead to more intentional, creative shots rather than random holiday snaps.

A major bonus? You might come across a local or travelling photographer who’s taken loads of images in the same area. Their profile can be a treasure trove of potential locations, with different compositions, lighting and times of day. All giving you ideas for your own shoot.

It’s also a good idea to follow some of your favourite travel photographers. Then when they post a cool-looking place you can save it on Google Maps. Then when you visit that country you will already have a list of amazing photography locations to visit.

Local festivals and cultural events

Some of our most emotional and meaningful moments while travelling have happened at local festivals. They’re vibrant, full of energy and offer a real sense of connection with the people and culture of a place.

From a photography point of view they’re ideal due to the fact cameras are expected. So you’re far less likely to feel like you’re intruding.

That said, ceremonies are a bit different. These can be more sacred or private, and in these situations, we strongly recommend hiring a local guide.

They’ll help you navigate what’s appropriate to photograph and what’s best to experience without taking photos. The last thing you want to do is cause offence and end up in an awkward situation. 

Finding out when and where these events take place isn’t always straightforward. We learned this the hard way during the Bang Fai Rocket Festival in Laos. The dates change each year and aren’t always published online.

In situations like that, the best thing you can do is ask at your hotel or homestay. 

Locals often know exactly what’s happening and when. You might even get lucky and be invited to a smaller, lesser-known celebration that’s not on any tourist calendar. 

Be inspired by the world’s best travel photographers

One of the quickest ways to find photography spots and spark ideas for your own photography is to look at how the pros do it. Search for well-known travel photographers who’ve already been to the destination you’re heading to. Their galleries can give you a solid sense of what’s possible, from iconic shots to unexpected details.

Now, let’s be clear. You should never copy someone’s work. Instead, use their images as a creative springboard. Try one of these approaches:

• Use a similar composition, but apply it to a completely different subject
  
• Photograph the same subject, but shoot it from a unique angle or at a different time of day
  
• Visit the same location, but bring your own visual style or story to it
  

The goal is to learn from their technique while adding your own voice to the shot. Remember, photography isn’t just about capturing an image.

It’s about communicating everything that you feel and sense when YOU are there.

Check out these world-class travel photographers. 👇

• Adventure Travel Photography –Chris Burkard
• Travel Landscape Photography – Cath Simard
• Travel Portrait Photography – Steve McCurry

Consider seasonal changes

A location can look dramatically different depending on the time of year. Make sure the place you want to shoot is actually in season. It can be a real kick in the teeth when you’ve spent all that time to find photography spots and when you get there they look completely different to how you’d thought they would.

When we visited Mexico during the dry season, the landscapes were dusty and barren. That made wide landscape shots feel flat and lifeless, even though we’d imagined something much more vibrant.

It’s a good reminder that what you see in photos online might not match what’s waiting for you on the ground if you don’t check the timing.

Unfortunately, it’s not always easy to pin down exact seasonal windows. Knowing when the rice fields will be lush and green before harvest, or when the sakura will burst into bloom, isn’t an exact science.

In these cases, we’ve found that reaching out to a local photographer on Instagram is the best bet. They often have up-to-date info, and sometimes that message turns into a meet-up or even a guided tour.

Those spontaneous connections have led to some of our best images. Getting access to local knowledge always pays dividends because local photographers have been to the spots again and again and know exactly when and where the light will be.

Avoid surprises. Check for construction

A location might look picture-perfect in older images, but that doesn’t mean it’s still in the same condition. Landmarks and viewpoints can be under renovation, closed off, or surrounded by scaffolding. Nothing kills the vibe faster than turning up to shoot a scene that’s hidden behind metal poles and tarpaulin.

We’ve learned this one the hard way. After spending over an hour wandering through Bangkok’s busy streets to get the perfect shot of the Golden Mount, we arrived to find it completely wrapped in scaffolding. Not exactly the iconic skyline we were hoping for.

The best way to avoid this? Use Instagram’s search. Type in the name of the place, then click through the photos. At the bottom of the caption it will tell you how recently the photo was posted. It’s a quick way to check what the location actually looks like right now, not six months ago during peak season.

Unfortunately it’s not fool proof because that person could have taken the photo 6 months ago and only decided to post it now. If you really want to be sure you could try commenting and asking when the photo was taken because you want to check if it’s under construction.

It only takes a minute, but it can save you from wasting precious time and missing better photo opportunities elsewhere.

Use travel photography books and magazines to Find Photography Spots

If you’re stuck for ideas or just want a fresh perspective, flicking through travel photography books and magazines can be a great way to find photography spots. Publications like National Geographic, airline travel magazines, and guidebooks such as Lonely Planet are packed with well-researched, beautifully shot imagery, and they’re often created by some of the best in the business.

These are the kinds of outlets travel photographers aspire to be featured in. So, studying the images they publish gives you a clear sense of what high-quality, editorial-style travel photography looks like and what potential clients are looking for.

We also love using these resources to start building out a shot list. Whether it’s a dramatic landscape, a quirky local tradition or a street scene full of character, books and magazines often highlight what’s visually compelling about a destination. They can help you plan your storytelling before you even arrive.

And don’t underestimate the humble in-flight magazine. We’ve more than once flipped through one mid-air and discovered a destination we hadn’t even considered then changed our plans on the spot. It’s a low-effort way to stumble across inspiration when you least expect it.

Leverage Google Maps, Google Earth Pro & The Photographer’s Ephemeris

Google Maps

Now we get to talk about one of our absolute favourite ways to find photography spots and it’s surprisingly low-tech. Google Maps is massively underrated by photographers. We regularly spend time zooming in and clicking around the areas near where we’re staying, just to see what catches our eye.

One of our best discoveries was the floating pagodas in Thailand, and it came from doing exactly that. We stumbled on them while exploring the map, had the place almost entirely to ourselves and ended up with photos that felt truly original. The locals were incredibly welcoming too, which made the experience even more memorable.

Sometimes Google Maps will show a little camera icon, suggesting a popular photography spot. Clicking on the Camera icon’s will show you photos that people have taken at this point. You will have to use your creative vision to see what’s possible there as most photos are taken by the general tourists in the middle of the day.

Google Earth Pro

Take it a step further with Google Earth Pro. Switch it to 3D mode, and you can actually explore the landscape before you arrive. It helps you spot viewpoints, understand elevation and even check for anything that might block your view. One of the best features is the time-of-day slider, which lets you see how the light will fall across the land at different hours.

It also provides you with a flat sattelite image of the landscape so you can even see details like fields and buildings. In some well known cities even the buildings have been 3D mapped.

The only downside to Google Earth Pro is that it’s only available on desktop. There is a less detailed version you can access via mobile but stick to the desktop version for the best results.

The Photographers Ephemeris

The Photographer’s Ephemeris (available on mobile) gives you a 3D map of your location and shows exactly where the sun will rise and set. It’s a great tool for planning your shots so the light falls on your subject, not behind it.

Although it does not provide you with as much detail as Google Earth Pro the fact that it’s available on mobile makes it well worth downloading. Great for those times where you don’t have access to a desktop.

Plan for Food and Essentials

If you’re heading out before sunrise, food options might be limited. Bringing breakfast or snacks allows you to stay out longer without losing focus.

We almost always fall short of this. In touristy areas, we’ve assumed there will be somewhere for breakfast, only to find out things open at 10am. That’s not breakfast if you’ve gotten up to photograph the sunrise at 5:30am. 

Be flexible with your plans

Weather is unpredictable, and if you’ve travelled for photography, you’ll already know how quickly a perfect scene can turn grey and gloomy. That’s why it’s smart to have backup locations in mind. 

If it starts pouring, pivot to an indoor spot like a market, temple or café. And if clouds roll in, don’t write the day off. Moody skies can give you beautifully atmospheric shots, especially for landscapes and street scenes.

We know it’s not always easy to change plans, especially when you’ve only got a short window in a place. But if you do get the chance, use bad weather days to scout locations. Take a few test shots, play around with different compositions and angles, and make mental notes of where the light will fall.

Then when the conditions improve, you can head back and just set up. No stress. No rushing around. Just you, your camera and the perfect light you’ve been waiting for. It’s a calmer, more focused way to shoot and it often leads to your best work.

Next steps: Show up ready not lucky

Ok, so now you know those perfect Insta-worthy travel shots don’t just happen by magic. They’re the result of local know-how, masterful planning and zen-like patience. Sure, spontaneity has its place, but if you want consistently amazing images, a little research goes a long way.

By using the tips we’ve shared, from clever Google searches, scouting with Google Earth and even chatting with local photographers. You can turn up with your photography gear knowing exactly where to take pictures, when to go and what kind of light you’ll be working with.

No more wasted mornings, ugly scaffolding or chasing the sunset only to find it blocked by a hotel. Just more time shooting the scenes you actually dreamed of and coming home with images that really stand out.

So now that you’ve got the planning part nailed, let’s level up your photography too. Read our blog with 16 game-changing tips to take your travel photos to the next level. Your future self (and your followers) will thank you.

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