Destination Guides for Photographers - Travel Photography

A Photographer’s Guide to Winter in Eastern Hokkaido

Lisa Michele Burns — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 11:11:50 +0000

Exploring the Wildlife and Natural Wonders of Eastern Hokkaido For photographers seeking quiet landscapes and wildlife opportunities, there’s a different pace to winter in Eastern Hokkaido, Beyond the ski fields and busier resorts of the western side of Japan’s northern island, the landscape opens into something far more spacious. Frozen lakes sit beneath low winter light, steam rises where geothermal activity meets the cold air, and wildlife moves quietly through snow-covered terrain. It’s not a destination built around a single landmark or viewpoint. Instead, the appeal lies in the variety within a relatively compact region. Forest, coastline, volcanic activity, mountains and wetlands all sit within a few hours of each other, each offering a distinct photographic approach and adventure. On top of the landscapes, you have the wildlife that inhabits them. From the elusive snow fairies Shima-enaga, to foxes, eagles, swans, bears, and deer. The region delivers continual surprises, with the chance to slow down, explore quietly, and photograph amongst some of the most diverse scenery you’ll find in Japan. This guide focuses on key locations and experiences well-suited to winter photography, drawing on my personal adventures. From lakes shaped by geothermal activity to coastal drift ice and wildlife encounters,...

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Beyond the Bamboo Grove: Photographing the Quieter Side of Arashiyama

Lisa Michele Burns — Sun, 25 Jan 2026 06:08:59 +0000

A Photographer’s Guide to Arashiyama, Japan Arashiyama is one of Kyoto’s most photographed areas, and for many visitors, it begins and ends with a short walk through the Bamboo Grove. It’s an iconic scene, tall green stalks arching overhead and light filtering through the dense forest, but it’s also one of the most crowded stretches of pavement in the city, if not all of Japan. I’ve visited Arashiyama twelve times, yes twelve, Kyoto is one of my favourite cities, and each time I expect my favourite spots in Arashiyama to be suddenly overwhelmed by crowds, but to my surprise, they’re still not, despite the Bamboo Grove mere minutes away, seeing thousands of tourists packed like sardines along the path. Every time I go to write this guide, I hesitate because I don’t want the quieter places spoiled; however, I noticed on my most recent visit that new cafes and stores are starting to open up along the route I walk, and it would be nice to see them get a little more love and foot traffic. Plus, one of the temples in this guide now has a new ticket machine, so I’m assuming it’s gaining in popularity already, particularly in...

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A Guide to Photographing Portugal’s Wild Atlantic Coast

Julie Baaske — Wed, 08 Jan 2025 03:03:15 +0000

A Photogenic Coastal Road Trip in Portugal The Portuguese wild Atlantic coast is an ideal destination for epic photography and a scenic road trip. Stretching for 832 km of coastline with dramatic views, rugged cliffs and remote beaches – natural beauty just waiting for your creative vision. Dreamy fishing villages, cosy towns, and two vibrant cities complement nature and landscape photography opportunities with street scenes, architecture and sports. The creative arts and surfing culture offer plenty of options, both to participate and get active or to watch and photograph. As most of the Portuguese coast is situated on the west coast of the Iberian Peninsula, you can sleep in most mornings without regrets and enjoy stunning sunsets at your photography locations instead. A photographer’s dream?! *This guide was written and photographed by Julie Baaske, a contributor of The Wandering Lens who spent a lot of time exploring and discovering the city of Porto with her camera. I hope you enjoy her insights as much as I do! To make the most of your road trip, I can highly recommend travelling by van when photographing the Atlantic Coast of Portugal. As a passionate van traveller myself I can assure you it...

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A Photographer’s Guide to Torres del Paine National Park, Patagonia

Lisa Michele Burns — Mon, 10 Jun 2024 08:27:02 +0000

Photographing Patagonia – Torres del Paine National Park Patagonia is on the wish list of landscape photographers from all corners of the world. The frosted mountain peaks, world-class hiking trails, wilderness and culture draw us in as happy snappers keen to get amongst the elements and experience the outdoors with our cameras. Torres del Paine National Park falls on the Chilean side of Patagonia, where lakes, glaciers and alpine valleys combine to offer scenery that’s so spectacular it’s hard to know where to go first for sunrise or sunset! Having visited the region this past April to document every inch and viewpoint, I’m excited to share my tips on photographing this environmentally rich pocket of Patagonia. If you’re reading this and have been before, or want to share some comments after your upcoming trip, please share them in the comments at the end of this guide as it’ll help those planning to have advice from fellow travellers too. This guide will share advice on how to plan your trip to Torres del Paine National Park, Chile and where to photograph so you can map out your visit and make the most of your time photographing Patagonia. In additional guides to...

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Paris Street Photography Locations: A Quick Guide to Photogenic Spots

Lisa Michele Burns — Mon, 18 Mar 2024 05:07:31 +0000

Your Quick Guide to Street Photography in Paris Paris street photography opportunities blend architecture with haute couture, which, if you say together quite fast in my Australian accent, sounds quite funny. But you didn’t come here for jokes, you came here to find where to go for the best street photography in Paris. With its vibrant street scapes, timeless architecture, and the ever-present fusion of history and modernity, Paris is a muse for those keen to capture daily life. Street photography in Paris is more than just an activity, it’s wandering with your camera through a city that has inspired artists, writers, and creators for centuries. As we delve into the heart of Parisian street photography, this guide aims to uncover some of the most photogenic spots to visit. The charm of Paris lies not only in its iconic landmarks, especially with crazy high numbers of tourists all heading for the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe, but also in the fleeting moments and everyday interactions that occur within its historic streets and lively neighbourhoods. From the quaint alleys of Montmartre, echoing the steps of artistic giants, to the waterside ambience of the Canal Saint-Martin, each location offers a unique...

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A Photographer’s Guide to Kanazawa, Japan

Lisa Michele Burns — Sun, 11 Feb 2024 09:24:40 +0000

The Top 5 Photography Locations in Kanazawa Kanazawa, a Japanese city known for its well-preserved Edo-era districts, beautiful gardens, and art museums, is a gem you need to add to your Japan itinerary. If you’re seeking the best Kanazawa photography locations for your upcoming visit, this is just the guide for you. If you’ve been reading or following The Wandering Lens for a while, you’ll know how much I love Japan. Having visited the country over 11 times, it’s somewhere that’s so special to me, however, it wasn’t until my most recent visit that I managed to get to Kanazawa, and I was so pleasantly surprised. It had been described to me as a quieter Kyoto; less crowds, historic districts and plenty of photography opportunities. Kanazawa was exactly that! While it doesn’t have the amount of temples and sights as Kyoto (and I absolutely recommend visiting Kyoto), Kanazawa is far less crowded which means you can wander slowly and capture the ornate details of the city, the landscapes, the river, gardens, and the architecture. I’d recommend spending at least two days exploring Kanazawa, there’s also the feeling you could stay for weeks, just taking it easy, strolling around and photographing...

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Porto Photography Location Guide, Portugal

Julie Baaske — Fri, 09 Feb 2024 09:03:12 +0000

Your guide to Photographing Porto, Portugal Porto is a city that immediately inspires camera-wielding visitors. With a vibrant energy and colourful photography locations, you’re not only treated to creative opportunities and experiences, but street musicians will form a soundtrack around every other corner as you stroll through the city. A highlight of photographing Porto is the wonderful Douro River with its six iconic bridges, and enchanting old and historic buildings. Luckily not all of them have been extensively restored (yet) and they’re dotted with wonderfully creative street art and cultural glimpses. Porto, like most cities in my opinion, is best explored on foot. Beyond the content of this guide, there is something to be discovered on every path, in addition to finding a great atmosphere across the historic centre of town. That said, walking Porto can be quite an exercise due to the steep roads winding up the river valley, but as usual this gets rewarded with great views. *This guide was written and photographed by Julie Baaske, a contributor of The Wandering Lens who spent a lot of time exploring and discovering the city of Porto with her camera. I hope you enjoy her insights as much as I...

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Photographing the Lunar Landscapes of Valle de la Luna, Chile

Lisa Michele Burns — Sun, 21 Jan 2024 23:04:43 +0000

Landscape Photography Adventures in Valle de la Luna, Chile. Declared a natural sanctuary in 1982, Chile’s Valle de la Luna (Valley of the Moon) is home to an other-worldly landscape of salt flats, craters, sand dunes and rock formations. Located in the Atacama Desert, the dry lunar like landscape attracts nature lovers year round and is inspiring from the first glimpse of its rugged beauty. Photographers, you need to add this to your wish list. Sitting at 2550metres above sea level, this natural wonder is simply extraordinary with endless patterns, shapes and colours resulting in composition possibilities in all directions. Carved by the elements over centuries, the weathered landscapes are impacted by wind patterns and the extreme climate of its geography within the driest desert on earth. I recently visited in May when the nights were chilly and days a perfect blend of sunshine and cool air. The Atacama Desert has over 300 days of sunshine and it’s this fact combined with extremely low humidity levels that result in ideal conditions for photographers and visibility for miles. Where to Photograph the Valle de la Luna To really capture the beauty of the valley, you’ll need to base yourself in...

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A Guide to Photogenic Landscapes + Locations in the Whitsundays

Lisa Michele Burns — Wed, 03 Jan 2024 00:25:53 +0000

Your Photography Guide to The Whitsunday Islands, Australia In the calm waters of the Coral Sea, a collection of 74 Whitsunday islands await visitors with their fish filled waters, snorkelling hot spots and lush coves aplenty ready for sailors to float on in. The magical Whitsundays were first visited by Captain Cook in 1770 when he noted ‘Indeed the whole passage is one continued safe harbour,’ on the morning of Sunday, 3 June. Its sparkling seas are now infamous for the annual Hamilton Island Race Week and of course for tourists travelling on boats, seaplanes, helicopters and kayaks as they explore the endless dive and swimming locations amongst the myriad of islands. For photographers, the reef formations, vibrant underwater world and sandy shores offer a playground of opportunities to take that perfect tropical landscape shot. Having lived on Hayman Island for five years I’ve used these special spots over and over again in all seasons and can safely say you won’t leave the Whitsundays without your own series of amazing photos. This destination guide is my way of sharing one of my favourite places in the world, a collection of photogenic experiences and locations for you to visit whether you’re...

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A Photographer’s Guide to Tokyo, Japan

Lisa Michele Burns — Mon, 26 Jun 2023 07:44:18 +0000

Tokyo Photography Locations – Your curated list Tokyo is Japan’s bright shining star; a city of neon lights, towering skyscrapers, Japanese cuisine (yum!) and a culture that’s a magical blend of quirky and quaint. When it comes to Tokyo photography locations you’re spoilt for choice and finding a photo spot that tickles your fancy is as easy as saying ichi, ni, san… You can’t leave Tokyo feeling the same as when you arrived. A visit will overwhelm and excite with innovation, surprise with characters and treat with fascinating edible creations. For photographers, Tokyo is a city that enables you to photograph street scenes, landscapes, cultural portraits and ornate details. A visit to Tokyo with your camera is like a never-ending ride, there’s a photo opportunity around every corner and you’ll leave with a full memory card of images! Photo spots in Tokyo are found in all directions no matter which one you decide to explore first. This Tokyo guide lists a collection of my favourite photography locations throughout Tokyo. After visiting eight times I’ve explored a lot of the city but there is also so much more to see that’s hidden within the alleys and surrounding districts that one day...

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Where Photographers Should Visit in Romania

Lisa Michele Burns — Thu, 30 Mar 2023 09:16:01 +0000

A Guide to Photographing in Romania – Bucharest + Landscapes Written by Marius Iliescu – all imagery supplied by Romanian Friend. Romania is undoubtedly an underrated gem in Europe. From towering Carpathian Mountains to the Danube Delta, picturesque traditional villages to cosmopolitan medieval cities, you’re in for a surprise. Whether you’re a professional or amateur photographer looking to explore and discover somewhere new, I’m sure my country will offer you lots of sights. Romania is very popular among photographers looking to capture traditional rural life and customs, untouched landscapes with rich wildlife, and striking city and cultural contrasts in Bucharest. Get your camera and backpack ready because I’m going to tell you the best places to visit in Romania to capture some unique photos. #1 Where to go for landscape photography in Romania 45% of Romania’s land surface is covered by the Carpathian Mountains reaching altitudes as high as 8,380 feet. Besides the typical scenery you’d expect in the mountains, there are several mountain ranges known for their impressive vistas and natural attractions. Close to the popular tourist city of Brasov are Piatra Craiului, with their unmistakable limestone ridge and Bucegi Mountains, all going over 7,200 feet high. On a...

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Japan: A Complete Guide to Kyoto Photography Locations

Lisa Michele Burns — Wed, 08 Feb 2023 02:25:15 +0000

A Photographer’s Guide to Kyoto, Japan The true beauty of Japanese culture comes to life in the traditional city of Kyoto. Wooded forests hide ornate temples and shrines, Geisha scurry into historic merchant houses on dimly lit alleys and misty mountains reveal their beauty throughout the seasons. A visit to Kyoto is like experiencing a glimpse into the past. With over 2000 temples and a huge number of UNESCO world heritage sites, the city is known as Japan’s cultural capital. Those hoping to witness the quirkier side of Japan will be kept busy too with Purikura (photo booths) and arcades, animal cafes and markets filled with weird and wonderful delights. Whether you’re looking to capture the cuisine, nature, traditions or bustle of Kyoto, there’s something photogenic for everyone. Depending on when you’re visiting Kyoto there will always be something to capture. The atmospheric festivals of summer, vibrant leaves of autumn, cherry blossom magic in spring and then there’s the chance of seeing a blanket of snow fall over the region in winter. If you can visit four times a year, I’d highly recommend it, you can never get enough of Japan in my opinion! In this guide I’ve listed some...

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