Bucket List Photo Destinations
Kolla was born from a love for photography. This stems from years of work in the photography industry, from hundreds of thousands of photographs shot, and from digesting photos from all corners of the world.
In this series of posts that go under the name "For the Love of Photography" we'll share tips, tricks, and ideas from the photography world. We hope it will help inspire you to go out and shoot more.
[Header image by Gunnar Freyr]
Bucket List Photo Destinations
Traveling and photography are two industries which have always seemed to happily coexist. For many photographers, the inherent longing to view something fresh through weathered lenses or to create something unique when everything seems tired and overdone often equates to an insatiable and perpetual need to travel, to see new things, to walk on new terrain. It’s a phenomenon that has been lovingly dubbed “the travel bug”, and this serious case of wanderlust affects millions each year.
The bad news? This bug never really goes away. It’s pretty contagious and really expensive to treat. The good news? The world is an immensely big place. Set out on an adventure, and you’re sure to find something that speaks to you, places that haven’t yet been oversaturated, and landscapes just begging to be admired.
Here are five of our current picks for bucket-list-worthy photo destinations.
1. Greenland
It’s safe to say that Iceland has had its 15 minutes of fame amongst photography enthusiasts and hobby travelers alike, and it’s certainly easy to see why. Vast and varied landscapes, snow-peaked mountain ranges, and idyllic coastal towns are certainly hard for anybody to pass up. But let’s not forget about Iceland’s much larger, much icier, much more sparse northern neighbor: Greenland. A chance to photograph rare arctic wildlife, massive glaciers, and the northern lights (if you time it right) await you, and Greenland’s incredibly small and widespread population, as well as its rugged and virtually untouched terrain, mean that visiting the country is a task cut out for only the most avid adventurer. But with such majestic and otherworldly views, we’d say it’s an adventure worth taking.
[Photo by Gunnar Freyr]
2. Havana, Cuba
A city full of vibrant color, rich history, and resilient people, Havana is a gem that is more than worthy of a spot on your bucket list. Streets lined with intricate Spanish architecture, brightly painted buildings, and its close proximity to turquoise water and white sand beaches make Havana a diverse and noteworthy photography destination. Due to a trade embargo enacted in the early 1960s, the city is also full of a wide array of colorful and extremely photogenic classic cars (which are not only ornamental and pretty to look at, but also practical for the people of Cuba). Keep in mind that it can be difficult to obtain permission to travel to Cuba, and all visitors must be approved for visas to travel to and from the country. There are also specific requirements as to the types of trips that can be approved, so be sure to research the current requirements before solidifying your travel plans.
[Photo by Joe Greer]
3. Königsee Lake, Germany
Flanked by the picturesque Berchtesgaden Alps, dotted with stunning alpine trees, and filled with water so clean it has been dubbed “the cleanest lake in Germany”, Lake Königsee has all the makings of a bucket list photo destination. Hop on one of the lake’s electric ferry boats and explore all 5 stunning miles where you have the potential to spot Alpine wildlife, explore St. Bartholomew’s Chapel, photograph the Rothbach Waterfall, and discover various unique flora and fauna within the Berchtesgaden National Park, And when you’re done soaking in all of the beauty surrounding the lake, the adjacent mountain ranges and various hiking trails will not disappoint.
[Photo by Samuel Elkins]
4. Mallorca, Spain
The largest of the Balearic Islands, Mallorca boasts beaches so beautiful, they’ve become the preferred holiday destination of the Spanish Royal Family. Mallorca’s jagged cliff sides jut out to kiss perfectly clear water and crisp white sand, creating a stunning natural backdrop just begging for endless photographs to be taken. Apart from Mediterranean bliss (and wine and tapas, of course), the city of Palma itself is home to a wide array of beautiful architecture, including a cathedral and royal palace, as well as an endless maze of quaint and colorful alleyways to explore all day and night. You can even take a day to charter a boat and admire the scenic island from afar, and photograph it from a fresh perspective.
[Photo by Julia Engel]
5. Cappadocia, Turkey
While the vibrant and whimsical hot air balloons of Cappadocia (which take flight early each morning) make the region seem like a permanent movie set, its unique beauty doesn’t stop there. Cappadocia has one of the most distinctive landscapes composed of rock formations known throughout the region as ‘fairy chimneys’, panoramic views of the vivid sunsets (there are even cafes located at some of these panoramic viewpoints to provide camera-clad visitors with comfort and hospitality while they take in all of the views), and underground caves containing remnants from ancient cities civilizations. After exploring the region on foot, the famous hot air balloons provide a vantage point of Cappadocia which simply cannot be topped.
[Photo by Zach Murphy]
Written by Niamh Wilkins
Niamh is a portrait and wedding photographer originating from Dublin, Ireland but currently based out of Atlanta, Georgia. Deeply rooted in nostalgia and introversion, she seeks to use photography to celebrate the quiet moments for what they are in the hopes that they will be felt and remembered for years to come.
For more content like this, as well as promotions and special offers, sign up to Photography Art News by Kolla. We'll knock 10 % off on your first order.
