Spring offers endless photography opportunities regardless of one’s favorite photographic genre. From outstanding views to the little details that show us nature coming back to life to traditions and festivals worldwide, this season motivates photographers like no other. Even though we would like to travel everywhere and photograph everything, it is more realistic to set up a few spring projects and plan thoroughly, ensuring the best experience and the artistic portfolio we are after. So, read along to find our favorite ten photo session photography spots for the spring.
The Best Photography Spots for Spring Photography
Admittedly, we have struggled to select only ten photography spots. The world is full of beautiful places, and spring light, vibrant colors, and catchy enthusiasm make them even more alluring. Therefore, we have decided to give you options for different types of subject matters and photographic genres and showcase less-known or less-traveled in spring locations. Here are our top choices.
For a Picturesque Mountain View – The Picos de Europa, Spain
The Picos de Europa translates as the Peaks of Europe and is a 20km mountain range in the North of Spain. The highest peak is 2,650 m (8,690 ft), so it is not something only the most adventurous photographers can tackle. Besides, you don’t have to summit to enjoy the picturesque views, spot eagles and vultures, indulge in booming spring wildflowers, and experience a landscape that seems to have been stopped in time.
The best months to visit the Picos of Europa for photography are April, May, and June. If you want to capture the smooth transition from winter to spring, opt for April because you can still find snow on the mountain. If you want a more colorful landscape, opt for June because it is dry, warm, and full of flowers.
For a Surreal Photo Experience: The Monument Valley, USA
Monument Valley is a cluster of sandstone buttes in the Colorado Plateau. It looks as red as one would imagine Mars to be and provides exquisite opportunities for minimalist and abstract landscape photography. For the Native American people living here, the region is sacred, which only adds to its stories and mystical appearance.
Due to weather-related reasons, the best months to visit the Monument Valley are April, May, June, or September and October. It gets very hot during summer in this desert landscape.
For Bird Photography: Danube Delta, Romania
The Danube Delta is the second-largest and best-preserved delta in Europe. It is home to over 300 species of birds and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that preserves its wild beauty. The delta is hardly visited and is accessible only by boat.
Spring is the best time to plan a photo trip to the Danube Delta. It’s the seasons when the delta has the most extensive variety of bird populations. You can spot the ones that stayed here over winter, those coming here to roost over summer, and those passing by from the North to their southern migration destination. The stars are the species of Pelicans, the Red-neck Geese, the Great Cormorants, the Night Watchmen, the Codalbs, the Red Ducks, and the Sea Saker Falcons.
For a Workshop in Waterfall Photography: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Victoria Falls is one of the largest waterfalls in the world and features the largest sheet of falling water. It has a width of 1,708 m (5,604 ft) and local names such as the Thundering Smoke and the Boiling Water. The names are well-deserved, as Victoria Falls is impressive to see and hear.
The rainy season is the best time to plan a photoshoot at Vitoria Halls. It lasts from February to May and peaks in April. The spray can rise 400m up and be visible from 50km. You would want to try photographing it both at ultra-fast and long exposures. The mist and rainbows created by the waterfall are mesmerizing, as are its geological features and the large biodiversity that surrounds it. One doesn’t run out of subjects to photograph here.
For Photographing Wildflowers: Texas, USA
Spring in Texas equals bluebonnets, a species of lupine that has become the state’s symbol. This beautiful spring wildflower covers the fields across the state and lures people into parks, such as Inks Lake State Park and Big Bend National Park. The bluebonnets come in many varieties (eight to be precise), the tallest reaching almost 1m (3 ft).
The bluebonnets start to bloom at the end of March and continue to do so by the end of April.
For a Cultural Experience: Navruz Festival in Samarkand, Uzbekistan
The spring equinox has historically marked the beginning of the new year in Central Asian countries. Navruz, which means “New Day” in Farsi, is observed annually on March 21st in Uzbekistan and other neighboring countries. The festivities include colorful decorations, folk music and dance, sports competitions, homemade traditional dishes, and an afflux of generosity and kindness. Good deeds at Navruz are believed to bring good fortune in the new year, so welcoming guests and feasting together are an important part of the holiday.
In Uzbekistan, the Navruz Festival lasts two or three days. It is a joyful festivity that lets the photographer glimpse into a three-thousand-year tradition. The festival takes place in all cities and regions around the country, but choosing Samarkand, an ancient town on the Silk Road, offers access to unique history and architecture, which is the perfect background for your spring photo session.
For the Perfect Combination of Nature and Human-made: Santorini, Greece
Santorini is a Greek island in the Aegean Sea with an ancient history, picturesque architecture, and spectacular beach views. It’s one of those places that perfectly illustrates the saying, “Strong essences come in small bottles.” Santorini seems designed for photography. Nature did its part by giving the island incredible blue waters, stunning sunsets, fuchsia Leanders, and white-sand beaches (but also a volcanic rock red beach for a change). On the other hand, the Greeks did their part and built white and blue villages, preserved famous archeological sites, and planted vineyards.
Santorini is a popular summer destination for good reason. That’s why you are better off with planning a photoshoot in spring. The island will be at your disposal, and the mild Mediterranean weather will create the perfect environment for your work.
For the Ultimate Beach View: Kauai, Hawaii, USA
If you want a spectacular beach view, make the small Hawaiian island of Kauai your next destination. Kauai is named the Garden Island because it is the greenest in the Hawaiian chain, covered in tropical rainforests, rivers, and waterfalls. But we are here to talk about its beaches because Kauai has some very dramatic ones, with white sand, turquoise lagoons, cliffs, turtles, and sunsets. It’s not the blunt, minimalist landscape one would expect from an ocean view. It’s full of stories and characters, ideal ingredients for a photoshoot.
The island has two seasons, one dry and one wet. April and May are the months to aim for because they are off-season, not as hot as summer, and relatively dry.
For Candid Street Shots: Paris, France
It may be a cliché, but spring in Paris should be on any street photographer’s list. This is not because of architecture (although it has its contribution) and romanticism (although it is present) but because of people and their way of life. The French invented the Bohemian Life (La Vie Bohème), and spring is when you can easily spot its mark on the streets.
Cafes and restaurants with tables in the street are filled with people enjoying a pleasant conversation or a healthy solitude. Parks are jam-packed with people enjoying the warm sun of spring. The streets are busy with nonchalant people doing what Parisians do every day. The cherry trees blossom in front of the Eiffel Tower. Everywhere you look, decisive moments invite you to take a candid street shot.
For a Bucket List Photoshoot: Uyuni Salt Flat, Bolivia
Uyuni Salt Flat stretches over 10,000 square kilometers amid the Andes and looks otherworldly. From May to November, during the dry season, you get incredible blue skies and a chance to see unique hexagonal patterns. This is not an easily accessible or simple place to photograph. But it is a Bucket list location for a nature, landscape, or travel photographer.
The endless horizon, the flatness of the place, and its bright light create artistic opportunities for fine art, minimalist, abstract, or surreal photographs. Experiment not only with perspective and depth of field but also with anything that crosses your mind. Uyuni Salt Flat deserves all your attention and creativity.
How to Prepare for Photographing Locations You Haven’t Visited Before
Even though you haven’t visited a location, you can still research it and come up with an idea of what to expect. For example, you can’t predict the forecast, but you can prepare for the average weather during the spring season and pack a rain cover for your camera, a raincoat for yourself, a sun shield for the lens, and a hat for yourself. You may also want to consider general precautions, such as bringing a UV filter, a polarizing filter, spare batteries, and memory cards.
At the same time, the subject matter you intend to photograph and the terrain dictate your gear choice. Regardless of the location, you will pack, for example, a tripod for bird or landscape photography or a discrete mirrorless camera and a 50mm lens for street photography.
Once the equipment is ready, research various aspects that could impact your photo session. This includes looking into photography permits, transportation options, visiting hours, peak times, ticket prices, and more. Additionally, be mindful of local customs. For instance, Monument Valley is a sacred place for its inhabitants, so a respectful attitude is essential. During the Navruz Festival in Uzbekistan, you may encounter cultural situations that are unfamiliar to you, and some people may prefer not to be photographed. It’s important to consider the entire ecosystem in which you are working.
Last but not least, think about what you want to convey, why, what motivates you to photograph a particular location or subject matter, and why it is essential to express yourself through photography. Storytelling starts with looking inward.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, these photography spots to visit in spring have inspired you to plan your next photo session. But even if you don’t travel far or don’t check anything off your bucket list this spring, pick up your camera and capture those fresh, joyful, and enthusiastic aspects that make spring the most awaited season of them all.
