Some say that September is a better time for resolutions and new beginnings than January is. That’s because fall finds you full of energy and creative ideas after the slow and relaxed summertime. For me, fall is the time of the year with the highest wanderlust levels. I find nature to be beautiful in the fall, its empty paths and colorful vegetation making me fall in love with this season again and again. The light is glamorous and warm, wildlife is in full-on mode, mountains look surreal in rusty brown, and the sky has the most intense shade of blue you’ll ever see. But nature photographers aren’t the only ones who enjoy a fall photo session. The following autumn photography spots should inspire you to travel alongside your camera, regardless of your preferred photographic genre.
For Fall Foliage Exclusively: Colorado, USA
Colorado is a mountainous area, which means it provides a diverse and picturesque scenery, but also that fall may come earlier than you expect. Usually, if you choose Colorado as a photography spot to visit in autumn, you should be there between mid-September and October to catch the spectacular foliage at its best.
However, keep in mind that places with higher elevations reach the peak before those with lower elevations and have shorter periods of fall bloom. Also, autumn moves here from north to south. Plan hikes and road trips, aiming to visit more than one area. You can start in the north (e.g., Steamboat Springs) and move towards the south (e.g., Aspen, Durango).
For the Ultimate Landscape Photography Experience: Milford Sound, New Zealand
This is one of my favorite photography spots in the world. Milford Sound works wonders in the fall because it is in the southern hemisphere, which means it is in full spring when the northern hemisphere experiences autumn. If you are on the lookout for fresh, green colors, this is the place to be.
Furthermore, Milford Sound is stunningly beautiful, providing one of the wettest ecosystems you’ll find, spectacular mountain peaks, dramatic forests, and surreal ink-blue waters. The rarest flora and fauna in New Zealand await you here. Add waterfalls, glaciers, fiords, lakes, and anything else you can think of. Milford Sound has them all.
For Mood and Atmosphere: London, UK
London in the fall is a must if you love moody, dramatic, cinematic street shots. Instead of getting frustrated by rainy, foggy weather at any other time in the year, embrace it during the fall months and infuse your photographs with character. Although a huge metropolis, London still has room for autumn foliage and colors, so take a walk in as many parks as you can. Hampstead Heath and Chelsea Embankment should be on your list.
However, visiting London is more about the people and their mesmerizing lifestyle, and autumn has an extra card up its sleeve in this regard. There are festivals everywhere, from the London Fashion Festival to the London Film Festival. There is also the British version of the famous Oktoberfest, art and music festivals, and plenty of local holidays. You’ll have a chance to mingle and experience the true colors of the majestic UK’s capital.
For the Perfect Portrait Backdrop: Vermont, USA
Vermont puts on the fall foliage between mid-September and mid-October, and there are fall foliage forecast maps to guide you week by week. It is a popular travel destination all year long, especially for couples and families, but in my opinion, it looks its best in the fall. The weather is still good enough to enjoy all the outdoorsy activities the area provides, such as hiking, biking, and paddling, all of which make a captivating backdrop for candid environmental portraits.
At the same time, Vermont offers picturesque activities for more traditional portraiture. Picking apples, visiting a farm, taking family road trips, and simply doing nothing are as good backdrops as adrenaline-fueled activities.
For a Mindful Trail Adventure: Camino de Santiago, Spain
This destination may surprise you, but I think autumn is the best time to take a more spiritual approach and invest more of yourself in your photography. Storytelling is key, but it’s impossible to tell somebody else’s story if you don’t know your own. So, if walking the Camino de Santiago is on your bucket list, do it this fall.
The trail is more peaceful in the fall, away from the summer crowds and free of the hot summer days. If you choose November, you may even welcome solitude on the beaten paths. The fall foliage will accompany you all the way, and the impressive views will provide food for thought and subjects for photography. Documenting your journey will enrich both your heart and your portfolio.
For an Unforgettable Safari: South Luangwa National Park, Zambia
The best time to visit Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park and photograph wildlife is from October to December. The temperatures are high, yes, but you won’t mind the temperature with all the interesting subjects a safari has to offer. It is a wild destination, so prepare your gear to photograph lions and other big cats, giraffes, hyenas, wild dogs, elephants, buffalo, and hippos.
I chose the South Luangwa National Park because it offers walking safaris, too. It’s one thing to photograph wildlife from the back of a car and another to take in the environment and all that nature has to offer by simply walking. It creates a deeper connection and enhances the narrative of your photos. At the same time, it’s better for the animals’ welfare.
For a Fairytale Wedding Photo Session: Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany
If you are a Disney fan, you know why I picked Neuschwanstein Castle as a photography spot for a wedding photo session. Walt Disney was inspired by the castle and used it as a reference for the Sleeping Beauty Castle and the Cinderella Castle in his parks. It’s an iconic view any fairytale fan will appreciate. And what better décor for a romantic wedding photoshoot than a fairytale scenery?
However, there is more to the Neuschwanstein Castle than its architecture. The surrounding hills provide one of the most beautiful autumn foliage I’ve ever seen. A drone may help you get everything in one frame. It’s a dreamy location for sure. In addition, the small Hohenschwangau village is situated nearby, and so is the Hohenschwangau Castle, both completing the picturesque scenery and providing lots of poetic locations for wedding photos.
For Ancestral Tranquility: The Rice Terraces of Mu Cang Chai, Vietnam
From late September to October, the rice terraces of Mu Cang Chai are gold, providing one of the most iconic views of Vietnam. It’s called the golden season, and for good reason. The cascading terraces, completed by dramatic skies and magical lighting, take your breath away.
Photographing Mu Cang Chai is a rewarding experience for a landscape photographer, but also for documentary and travel photographers. The harvest season puts in focus ancestral traditions and offers as much of a cultural experience as an aesthetic one.
For Overall Impressive Autumn Colors: The Dolomites, Italy
In October and November, the Dolomites, the mountain range in northern Italy, become pure gold and rust. The limestone rock of the not fewer than 18 peaks over 3,000m stands out and offers spectacular views under the warm autumn sunlight. The vegetation gets dramatic shades of yellow, orange, red, and rusty browns. No filter needed in this part of the world.
The sunsets become dramatic as well, filling the sky with the same amazing fall colors. Lakes, such as Lago Federa and Lago Di Braies, reflect them, creating a three-dimensional experience. Autumn in the Dolomites is a rare spectacle.
For the Hustle and Bustle of a Market: Chandni Chowk, India
At the other end of the world, autumn puts on a different show. Chandni Chowk (meaning Moonlight Square) is a historic market in Old Delhi and one of the oldest and largest in the world. Of course, you can visit all year round, but the autumn months provide a more comfortable experience due to cooler temperatures.
The market is busy, noisy, and fast; it smells like condiments and sweets. It’s famous for street food, labyrinthine lanes, historical buildings, and a raw experience of the Indian culture. Rich in colors and atmosphere, Chandni Chowk is an exotic destination, vibrant and full of life.
How to Make the Most Out of an Autumn Photo Session
Autumn has so many layers. It is moody, full of character, stubborn, melancholic, transcendental, a showoff, and generous. It gives us an outstanding foliage and then takes everything down, preparing for the bare winter landscape. However, if you only see the aesthetic aspects, what’s on the outside, you will miss the essence. Autumn photographs, regardless of their genre, should be stories, complex narratives that do justice to this incredible season. To make the most out of an autumn photo session, focus on the feelings, starting with what you feel around this time of the year.
At the same time, autumn is dynamic. Its scenery changes continuously, allowing you to add a temporal dimension to your shots. Leaves falling, wind blowing, animals warming their faces into the sun, migratory birds leaving their summer resorts, clouds passing in the sky, and people rushing on the streets. Endless subjects for unique, meaningful photography.
Final Thoughts
Across continents, autumn unfurls its palette in myriad ways, each with its distinct character and mood. Maybe that’s why I love autumn so much. Wherever I find myself, it makes me feel special. Whether you’re drawn to the serenity of the mountains or the frenetic vibrancy of cities, fall invites you to pack your camera and follow your wanderlust.
