How to Find the Best Travel Spots for Landscape Photography

Best Travel Spots for Landscape Photography (Promote Your Work)

As a landscape photographer, you’re always chasing light, textures, and dramatic horizons — but finding the right places to shoot (without draining your wallet) is often the hardest part. In this guide, I’ll share professional tips on how to discover epic locations, travel affordably, and promote your photos to a wider audience.

How to Find the Best Places for Landscape Photography

Finding extraordinary spots takes more than luck. Use a combination of research tools, local knowledge, and scouting strategies:

1. Use Photography-Centric Tools & Communities

• PhotoPills: Plan your shot with sun/moon alignment, Milky Way forecasts, and AR tools.
• The Photographer’s Ephemeris: Great for location-based light planning.
• 500px & Flickr: Search by location to see where other photographers shoot.
• Instagram (via hashtags & geotags): Use hashtags like #landscapephotography + location names.
• Google Earth & Street View: Virtually scout potential scenes and compositions.

2. Explore Photography Forums & Blogs

• FredMiranda, DPReview (archives), and Reddit (e.g. r/LandscapePhotography) offer field-tested location tips from other photographers.
• Join Facebook groups for local photography communities — they often share hidden gems you won’t find in guides.
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3. Search National Parks & Protected Landscapes

Some of the best scenes are found in protected natural areas. Check:

• UNESCO World Heritage Sites
• National Parks websites by country
• Regional hiking and conservation apps like AllTrails, Komoot, or Outdooractive

💸 How to Travel to These Locations Cheaply

Being in the right place at the right time doesn’t have to break your budget. Here’s how to cut costs:

1. Travel Off-Season

Landscape scenes often shine in shoulder seasons (early spring or late autumn), when crowds are fewer and prices are lower.

2. Use Flight and Transport Hacks

• Google Flights Explore and Skyscanner “Everywhere” search help you discover cheap routes to scenic destinations.
• Use bus or train services (like FlixBus in Europe or Busbud globally) for scenic slow travel at low cost.
• Consider renting a car with fellow travelers or photographers to split costs and gain mobility in remote areas.

3. Sleep Cheap, Stay Flexible

• Use hostels, camping, or vanlife to stay near nature at a low cost.
• Try Couchsurfing, Workaway, or TrustedHousesitters to exchange skills for free stays.
• For multi-day hikes or wilderness locations, invest in lightweight camping gear and research permitted wild camping zones.

📤 How to Promote Your Landscape Photography After the Trip

Your images deserve to be seen. Here’s how to share them with purpose and impact:

1. Create and Curate for Platforms

• Instagram: Focus on storytelling captions and use niche hashtags (e.g. #icelandlandscape, #sunsethunter).
• 500px and Unsplash: Upload high-quality images to build visibility and licensing opportunities.
• Behance or PhotoVogue: Showcase curated series for a professional portfolio impression.

2. Start a Photography Blog or Portfolio Site

• Use WordPress, Format, or SmugMug to build a searchable gallery with SEO-rich location titles and image descriptions.
• Write about the story behind the image: where it was taken, what gear you used, and how others can get there.

3. Pitch to Travel & Photography Magazines

• Submit to publications like Outdoor Photographer, National Geographic Your Shot, or Lonely Planet.
• Join platforms like GuruShots, Viewbug, or Picfair to get exposure and potential licensing sales.

4. Network on the Ground

• Attend local or regional photography meetups.
• Offer images to local tourism boards, guide companies, or environmental NGOs in exchange for credits and features.

Final Thoughts

Finding the best locations for landscape photography is part instinct, part research, and part adventure. When you combine smart tools, offbeat travel hacks, and strategic self-promotion, you’ll not only capture breathtaking images — you’ll also build a sustainable and visible photography practice.

Have a favorite spot or secret technique for scouting new landscapes? Share it in the comments — your insight might help another photographer catch their perfect shot.