Finding the Best Photography Spots: Top Apps, Sites and Pro Tips

Last Updated: October 26, 2022 References

Finding a spot to take great photos isn’t as difficult as you may think. There are a ton of useful tools you can use to help you scout and choose locations before you even get there. There are also a few strategies you can use to find great spots around you to set up and capture that perfect shot.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using Apps and Websites

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Download and use an app that shows you potential spots. Visit your smartphone or tablet’s app store and search for apps designed to help photographers find locations. Download the app and use it to search for great spots in a specific area. Find the locations of photographs that you like and use them to take your own photos.^{[1]
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- For instance, if you’re looking for spots in London, you could look up something like “London cityscape” and search through the locations listed to find one that you like.
- Popular photography location apps include Pixeo and ShotHotSpot.
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Visit a website that displays popular photo spots around you. Visit photograph sharing sites like Flickr or 500px and look up the area you want to shoot or a type of location. Search through the results and choose one that you like. Read the description to find out where the photograph was taken and use it to shoot your own photos there.^{[2]
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- For example, you could search for “mountain mist” or “Chicago skyline” and look through the images to find locations you like.
- Search for online photography networks and databases you can use to find images you like.
- Some sites, like Flickr and 500px will require you to make an account in order to access the image database.
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Use Google Earth to virtually scout an area. Google Earth is an interactive map you can use to explore locations all over the planet to help find great spots to take pictures. Visit the website and type in an area you want to search. Use the street view to see what the area looks like on the ground and navigate the area by moving around on the interactive map.^{[3]
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- Visit the Google Earth website at: https://www.google.com/earth/.
- You can also download the Google Earth app to explore and save locations on your smartphone or tablet. You could also use the MyMaps feature in the Google Maps app.
- When you find a location you like, write down or save the address so you can visit it to take pictures.
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Search a location on Instagram to see what images pop up. Type in an address or location into the search bar on Instagram. Look through the results and find images that you like. Read the caption or the photo description to find out where it was taken and save the location so you can use it for your own photography.^{[4]
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- Instagram allows users to tag the location of their photographs, which makes it a valuable search tool for photographers. However, the locations may not always be accurate, so just keep that in mind.
- You can also explore hashtags for great photos of specific areas or locations. For example, you could look up the hashtag #CentralPark to find pictures people took in Central Park.
- If you don’t have an Instagram account, no worries! You can easily make one in about 5 minutes.
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Check out tourism websites to find iconic locations to shoot. Nearly every country, city, and state has an official tourism board website that features famous landmarks and locations for people to visit. If you’re looking for famous or popular locations in an area to shoot, look up the local tourism website and find out where they are.^{[5]
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- For instance, if you’re traveling to Big Bend in Texas, look up the local tourism board webpage and check out locations you can use.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Searching for Locations on Your Own

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Drive or walk around an unfamiliar area and look for spots. The simplest way to search for photography spots is to get out in an area and explore it by walking or driving around. Head to areas you aren’t familiar with and just wander until something or a location catches your eye. Shoot a few photographs for reference later and write down or save the location so you’re able to find it again.^{[6]
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- If you’re walking around, try asking people you meet if they know of any great places to take photos.
- Be careful when you’re walking around unfamiliar areas, and let somebody know where you’re heading just to be safe.
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Search for specific types of locations around you to explore. If you have an idea for a photograph in mind, but you’re not sure where to find locations in your area, try searching online for some. Type in the name of the city or location that you’re in and add a few descriptive words into an image search to pull up a bunch of photos that match the description. Search through the photos, choose one that you like, and find out where it was taken so you can go there and take your own pictures.^{[7]
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- For example, if you’re looking for an old-school style diner and you’re in Philadelphia, try searching something like, “diner in Philadelphia” and see what image results pop up.
- You may be surprised how many great locations you have that aren’t too far from you!
3
Revisit spots you’ve used before for a familiar location. If you’re struggling to find a location, or you need a quick location that you know well, try using one that you’ve used before. Sometimes using a tried-and-true spot can make capturing a great shot easy and reliable.^{[8]
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- Try shooting in the same spot at different times of the day or in different seasons to capture it in different lighting.
- If you’re photographing a person, it can be helpful and efficient to have a few go-to spots saved for quick reference.
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Reach out to local photographers for ideas about where to explore. Many photographers in an area love to teach and help out other photographers, so try asking them about potential photography spots in their area that you can check out.^{[9]
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Research source} Search the name of the city and add the word “photographers” to your search to pull up a list of local photographers. Reach out to them on social media or through their websites and ask for help finding great shooting locations.
- For instance, you could search, “Miami photographers” and then click on the website of one of the names that pop up. Send them a message saying who you are and asking if they could point you towards some good spots to take photos in the area.
- You could also try searching for local photography groups on social media sites like Facebook. Try reaching out to them and asking if they have ideas for great locations.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Scouting a Location

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Visit a location at different times to see how it changes. The time of day can really affect the way a location appears, so return to the spot you’ve chosen 2-3 times throughout the day before your photoshoot. Take a look at the lighting and how the background changes to help you choose when you want to take your photos at the location.^{[10]
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- For example, a city corner may look relatively drab around noon, but turn into a really great spot at night when the lights come on and people are out and about.
- Try checking a location at morning, noon, and night to see how it looks.
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Explore the location to plan the shots. When your scouting a location, imagine where you’ll take your specific shots. Picture where you’ll have your models stand or how you’ll angle your shots. Spend some time walking around and looking for specific photos that you know you want to take so you’re prepared for the actual photoshoot.^{[11]
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- Being prepared will help the shoot go by smoothly and more professionally.
- You never know what kinds of shots will reveal themselves to you as you explore the location.
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Take reference photos to help choose the lighting and background. Use your smartphone or camera to snap quick photos as you explore the location. Try setting up angles and shots you want to take and capture the area well so you have a clear idea of what the lighting and background look like at that time.^{[12]
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- Use your reference photos from different times of the day to help decide when you want to shoot the location.
- Even if you don’t have a model or crew with you, reference photos can help you visualize specific shots you want to take.
- Whether you're shooting indoors or out, it's often a good idea to bring your own lighting. You can't always rely on ambient lighting and daylight to be consistent, so it could be difficult to get the shot you want.^{[13]
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  Victoria Sprung
  Professional Photographer
  Expert Interview. 14 April 2020.}
- Look for darker areas that you can use as the background. For instance, if you're shooting outside, you might choose a patch of shady trees, then use a softbox to create natural-looking light.^{[14]
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  Expert Source
  
  Victoria Sprung
  Professional Photographer
  Expert Interview. 14 April 2020.}
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Write down notes about the location to help you remember later. While you’re at the location, use a pen and paper or your smartphone to jot down quick notes about things that you notice or want to remember for later. If you need to research something or need to bring specific gear with you, make a note of that as well.^{[15]
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- For instance, you may want to remember to bring a certain camera or a lighting hood to capture a shot perfectly.
- Try to be as fully prepared as possible for your photoshoot.

Expert Q&A

Question

What if I'm shooting photos outside and the sun goes behind a cloud?

Victoria Sprung
Professional Photographer
Victoria Sprung is a Professional Photographer and the Founder of Sprung Photo, a wedding photography studio based in Chicago, Illinois. She has over 13 years of professional photography experience and has photographed over 550 weddings. She has been chosen for Wedding Wire's "Couple’s Choice" Award eight years in a row and The Knot's "Best of Weddings" award five years in a row. Her work has been featured in People Magazine, Time Out Chicago, Chicago Magazine, the Chicago Reader, Rangefinder, The Chicago Sun-Times, and Pop Sugar.

Victoria Sprung

Professional Photographer

Expert Answer

Always bring your own lighting—don't just rely on the light that exists outside. Most of the time, it's not going to be quite enough.