10 countries for breathtaking photography trips

10 countries for breathtaking photography trips

We select 10 countries that are perfect for photography trips

I never get bored when traveling because I always have my camera with me. During my travels through 80 countries on six continents, I have had the honor of photographing some of the most breathtaking views the world has to offer.

Every country I visit eats up gigabytes of space on my hard drive(s) and hours (if not days and weeks) of my life curating and editing post-travel images. I have been selling my photography for over five years and can see that some shots from some countries are always in demand.

I picked my top 10 countries for breathtaking photography trips based on what consistently sells and, more importantly, what I really enjoyed photographing. I could visit and photograph the countries below again and again. Some of them, I do.

1. Chile

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Here in Chile you are spoiled for choice. For stunning landscapes on the mainland, you have the beautiful Lake District, the fjord-dotted south coast and the Atacama Desert.

There are also the rugged peaks of Patagonia and the desolate landscape of Tierra del Fuego. The cherry on top is Chile's jewel in the crown: Easter Island. This remote habitat lies in the middle of the Pacific, thousands of kilometers off the coast of the mainland. I challenge you: just try to take a bad photo there.

2. India

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I have visited India twice and have still barely scratched the surface of the country. I ignore the photogenic landmarks of the Golden Triangle (Delhi, Jaipur and the Taj Mahal) for a second and opt for the hinterland of Rajasthan.

I loved photographing the vibrant colors and delighting people in the market towns of Bhilwara and Chittorgarh. Head north to the foothills of the Himalayas to see another contrasting side of photogenic India.

3. Scotland

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I don't care what anyone says, Scotland on a clear day is the most beautiful country I've ever visited. On average I visit at least once a year and I hope I never stop. The Western Highlands, Cairngorms, Shetland and the Western Isles are simply fantastic.

Even in the middle of winter, these sprawling mountain ranges are breathtaking and look almost alpine when covered in snow. The only trick here is to find a clear day. I remember a Wednesday morning in the summer of 2008 that was pretty good...

4. Jordan

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Petra and Wadi Rum in Jordan are every photographer's dream. Both destinations enjoy blue skies contrasted with desert yellows and oranges most of the year, making them perfect for capturing beautiful landscapes.

Add enchanting crimson sunsets and you have a perfect formula. The photos I took here have been my bestsellers for years. Just be careful when changing lenses in the middle of all that sand!

5. Norway

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One of my favorite places in the world. After two visits to Norway, I intend to return again and again. So far I can vouch for the western fjords around Bergen and the rugged snow-capped peaks of Jotunheimen National Park.

Next I hope to head further north to photograph the Northern Lights within the Arctic Circle. I just need to convince Kia to brave the cold again after our failed attempt to see the lights in Iceland.

6. Tanzania

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The picture-perfect island of Zanzibar alone would be worth a place on this list. Add the unique panorama of Kilimanjaro rising above the African plains below, and you already have an extremely photogenic destination.

Personally, I loved screwing on my zoom lens and going on a safari to really get the most out of photography tours in Tanzania. The Serengeti, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire are all spectacular places to photograph wildlife.

7. USA

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The national parks of the western states of Arizona, Utah, California and Nevada are unforgettable destinations for photographers.

We spent 10 days on a road trip through Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Zion and Death Valley National Parks and captured a number of photographic gems. Each park has its own colors, often set against bright blue skies and unique topography.

8.Ecuador

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Whether it's up-close wildlife photography of the Galápagos Islands, long exposures of cascading waterfalls, or stunning shots of the sunset behind volcanoes, Ecuador rarely disappoints. Personally, I loved setting my aperture to 3.5 and taking close-up photos of wildlife against soft backgrounds in the Galápagos Islands.

9. Egypt

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Egypt is pretty much an open-air museum. We spent about 10 days moving steadily south along the Nile Valley, but you could easily do 10 weeks, there's so much to see.

Of course, all photography tours should start in Cairo with the Pyramids of Giza, but there is so much more to see and snap. Behind Jordan, my photography from Egypt has been selling well since our visit in 2011.

10. Tahiti and French Polynesia

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We only visited the Society Islands of French Polynesia but were not disappointed with what we saw. The islands live up to their billboard image with white sandy beaches, turquoise waters and lush interiors.

Tahiti, Mo'orea, Ra'iatea and Taha'a impressed everyone, but it was (rather stereotypically) Bora Bora that stole the show. Get out on the water and look back at the outrageously azure lagoon to truly capture this postcard shot. Your only challenge is to find a place where you can't see any of the resorts through your viewfinder.
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