Popular Photography asked their readers to pick the best places to photograph in the whole world.
While there were a lot of places outside of North America in the Top 25, these 10 places from the US and Canada made the list. What do you think, are they worth it?
Santa Fe, NM
The overall number-one destination from our reader survey is Santa Fe, New Mexico, where photographers can capture not only a slice of modern life in the American Southwest but also enjoy easy access to incredible desert landscapes. “The color is what strikes you first about Santa Fe,” says reader Caprice Nuss. “The deep blue sky, the earth-tone adobe, then—bam!—there’s a fire-engine red portico or a turquoise gate with a sun-bleached cow’s skull hanging on it.”
Charleston, SC
The Southern charms of Charleston, South Carolina, make it a close contender for the top spot. Readers love shooting the beautifully restored antebellum homes along the waterfront and quintessential Southern scenes like Spanish-moss-laden live oaks and horse-drawn carriages gliding down brick-paved streets. “The city is a photographer’s delight, with historic homes and beautiful gardens,” says Jessica Bower. “But there are also great detail shots: Ornate ironwork, sundials, and cannonballs all add to the ambiance.” Tip: Visit during spring or fall to avoid oppressive heat and mosquitos.
Denver, CO
Readers say it’s not just the city of Denver, Colorado, they love to shoot, but also the high-altitude scenery all around. “I can leave Denver early in the morning, and reach the summit of a 14,000-foot mountain by noon,” says Joe Wright. And for Phillip Rubino, it’s the perfect place to shoot cityscapes with a Rocky Mountain backdrop. “There are several vantage points where you can capture great scenes,” he says. “Sometimes the storm clouds and lightning are sensational.” Tip: Winter offers beautiful night shots of the city blanketed by snow.
Savannah, GA
Showing their penchant for photographing historic Southern cities, readers also give high marks to Savannah, Georgia, Charleston’s little sister to the south. “I’ve been to both cities, and Savannah is edgier, with more character,” says Alan Weaver. The city’s colonial-era layout includes more than 20 squares—small parks that provide abundant green space where you can photograph locals relaxing beneath a lush canopy, surrounded by historic homes. Tip: For wide-angle shots of the historic riverfront, take a riverboat cruise or hop the ferry to Hutchinson Island.
Tucson, AZ
For desert scenes populated by towering Saguaro cactuses, our readers love Saguaro National Park just outside Tucson, Arizona, which also offers great opportunities to photograph Native American cultures like the local Pima tribe.
Victoria, BC, Canada
The colonial air of Victoria, British Columbia, in Canada makes it look and feel more like a European city than a North American one. Readers rave about photographing Victoria’s gardens, especially the lush waterfront foliage of the Butchart Gardens.
San Antonio
“Remember the Alamo” is a famous Texas battle cry, and many readers take it to heart, professing love for this Texas city’s historic downtown. Take time to visit the Alamo and explore the Five Spanish Missions.
Vancouver
From orcas swimming along the waterfront to locals frolicking in the temperate rainforests, Canada’s Vancouver, British Columbia, is a great place to photograph people and nature, side by side. Or take a local photowalk to explore picturesque neighborhoods like Granville Island.New Orleans, LA
One of America’s most distinctive cities, New Orleans, Louisiana, draws in photographers with vibrant cultural scenes that thrive amid flood-stains and urban decay. Readers flock to the French Quarter, but don’t overlook the mansions of the Garden District or rebounding levee-side communities like the Bywater.
Honolulu, HI
Hawaii’s capital city is a modern metropolis on the edge of the South Pacific where readers enjoy photographing iconic Waikiki Beach with Diamond Head looming in the background, the historic ships of Pearl Harbor, and the ever-present melting pot of Pacific Rim cultures.
