If you've been bitten by the travel bug and want to get some great photos for your personal collection or you want to be able to sell unique photos from around the world, make sure to book a vacation to one of the destinations listed below. Just remember that some destinations are better in certain seasons than others, so make sure you take note of any possible travel restrictions and weather conditions that could get in your way.
- Takato Castle Ruins Park in Nagano, Japan: If you're serious about travel and nature photography, Japan is the place to be in the spring for its world-famous Sakura (AKA cherry blossom) trees. These trees only bloom for about a week, though, typically in early April. This particular area of the country is home to over 1,500 trees that are a specific variety only found in this region.
- Fraser Island Rainforest in Queensland, Australia: This is a great place to visit all year long. But throughout February, even though the island still boasts high temperatures, the rainforest is less humid and a little cooler than the coast. Therefore, it's the perfect time to head out in search of unforgettable photographic opportunities. The rainforest is alive with plants and wildlife, and you might also be able to do some bird watching while there.
(Success Tip #1: How to make money photographing people while you're traveling)
- Volcanoes National Park in Hawaii: How often will you get to stand on a live, active volcano like Kilauea? The dry season for this region runs from April through October, so this is the best time for photographing the area and keeping your camera dry.
- Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado: If beautiful, iconic, snow-capped mountains are what you’re after, this is the place to be in the winter. Few other places boast the natural beauty found here in the coldest season of the year. Between taking photos, be sure to hit the slopes for some incredible skiing and snowboarding.
- Death Valley National Park in California: If the name doesn't make it clear, this is an extreme place to visit. However, nobody got amazing photos by sitting at home on their sofa. Winter is the most popular season because the heat is less intense, and this season also gives you the added visual bonus of a dry desert with snow-capped mountains in the distance. According to the park’s website, the period between Thanksgiving and Christmas is usually the slowest, which is great for people who don't like dealing with crowds.
- New England Foliage: The northeast area of the United States, particularly New England, is one of the best places to photograph fall foliage. Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, and Massachusetts are top destinations for photographers who want to capture stunning photographs of the colorful leaves on the trees as the weather gets cool.
(Success Tip #2: How to learn to take better photos if don't have much spare time)
- Fairbanks, Alaska: Some people might find the idea of visiting Alaska in the winter a little crazy because of the cold temperatures, but if you want amazing photographs, you must check out the Northern Lights. Peak viewing season is during the winter months. To serious photographers, light is everything, so what could be better than photographing solar particles that have been blown into Earth’s magnetic field?
- Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia: Home to the famous and cleverly named "Large Waterfall," this is a must-see place for anyone who loves the majestic look of waterfalls. The park is also home to plenty of gorgeous lakes and caves, as well as wildlife that include wolves, eagle owls, and European brown bears. It's best to visit in the fall, as the summer is the busy tourist season and the park can get crowded. Also, in the fall, most of the park will still be green but the trees will begin transforming to shades of yellow and red.
The world is full of places that offer opportunities to photographers who enjoy getting outside and capturing the beauty of nature. Have you been to any of these destinations? What places have you seen that you'd highly recommend to fellow photographers? Feel free to comment below, and also be sure to subscribe to become a member of the PT community to get more tips on nature and landscape photography.