The best times to take travel photos – anywhere in the world

As the sun begins to dip below the horizon, your friend, sun-kissed and buzzing with holiday excitement, steps into view as the sky explodes with sunset colours. You reach for your camera, knowing that the fiery “golden hour” light will catch the spark of adventure in their eyes.

We’ve all felt the urge to freeze those moments. Whether it’s a sunrise casting golden light on ancient streets or twilight blanketing serene landscapes in calming purples, the interplay of light and shadow has a remarkable way of imprinting itself on our memories. But how do you capture the experience in your photos?

A guide to capturing spectacular photos at any time of day

There are many technical factors that go into great photography, but none are more important than light. In fact, the word “photography” is rooted in the Greek words “phos” (light) and “graphê” (drawing or writing).

Light dictates every detail visible in the frame, and fundamentally influences a photo’s aesthetic appeal. Lots of shadows can create a moody feel, while controlled studio lighting makes photos look polished. 

Here we explore how to take stunning travel photos anywhere, at any time of day. From shooting landscapes during the “blue hour” to making your portraits shine with autumn light, discover how to preserve light’s emotional depth to create unforgettable photo memories.

The tranquility of sunrise

At the beginning of the day, the sun’s rays travel at a low angle, passing through cooler, denser air near the ground. This produces a golden yet subtly blue-tinged effect, resulting in photos with a harmonious glow and elongated shadows.

These conditions make it the perfect time of day to take beach photos and peaceful portraits bathed in gentle, radiant light.

The vibrant midday peak

As the sun rises to its high point, shadows become shorter and natural lighting takes on a more neutral hue. This creates higher-contrast scenes, often causing overly bright highlights that lose detail and deep shadows directly underneath your subject’s features.

For that reason, many consider this light unflattering. But with the right approach, you can take stunning midday photos that emphasise sharp architectural lines and uniquely stylised silhouettes. Soft clouds act as a natural lightbox, diffusing the intensity.

The afternoon’s rich textures

As the sun lowers, natural light softens, adopting warmer tones and casting longer shadows. Taking photos in the afternoon provides a pleasing balance of soft, blended colours and defined details.

Embrace this light to capture portraits and landscapes with a warm glow, revealing subtle textures that enhance depth.

The dual magic of dusk

Shooting in the early evening is often considered the best time of day for outdoor photography. It unfolds in two distinct acts of fleeting beauty, making it a photographer’s dream.

Golden hour

Just before sunset, golden hour bathes scenes in warm, soft light and casts long, gentle shadows. Like sunrise, the sun’s rays travel at a low angle, but after a full day of warming the ground, more dust and vapour are suspended in the air. This scatters the light, producing a richer, more magical orange glow in your images.

Blue hour

Blue hour occurs just after sunset (or just before sunrise), when the sky is still faintly lit even though the sun is below the horizon. As the deep blue of the upper atmosphere blends with the lingering light, it neutralises warm tones, creating a dreamy blue and purple haze – perfect for ethereal dusk photography.

Night-time’s ambient palette

As natural light fades, artificial light begins to shape your photos. Street lamps, neon signs or even the warm glow of a campfire can help create atmospheric night-time shots.

To capture these scenes effectively, it’s important to understand how your camera’s Night mode works. Longer exposures give your camera’s sensor more time to gather light, but you’ll need to hold the camera still to avoid blur – a tripod is your best friend here, especially when photographing starry skies.

You can also use your camera’s flash to capture night-time moments. If the result looks too harsh, try editing your photo afterwards – reduce highlights, lower contrast and soften the flash-lit areas to create a more natural look.

A guide to capturing spectacular photos at any time of year

Having explored how different times of day shape the feel of your travel photos, let’s now consider how seasonal weather shifts can elevate your images — allowing you to convey the warmth of summer or the chill of winter in every frame.

Spring’s softness and showers

Spring’s soft, diffused light, often punctuated by showers, creates an ethereal atmosphere in photographs. Embrace the elements and learn how to photograph in the rain by using a fast shutter speed to freeze raindrops, adding texture and energy to your scene.

Reflections in puddles can add artistic flair to street scenes or landscapes. And when the rain clears, the air’s clarity and the enhanced colours offer a vibrant, fresh look. Early morning mist at sunrise can also add a magical, dreamlike quality to your springtime landscapes.

Summer’s vivid canvas

Summer’s long daylight hours offer more time to capture vibrant colours and dynamic scenes. When photographing in the sun, work with the brightness to produce bold, saturated images of turquoise seas and bustling cityscapes that radiate energy and warmth.

However, harsh midday shadows can be unflattering in portraits. Position your subject in light shade or have them face away from the sun to avoid squinting. You can also lower the exposure slightly when shooting in strong sunlight – this helps preserve highlight detail and prevent washed-out areas.

Autumn’s mellow glow

Autumn’s extended sunrises and sunsets are perfect for golden hour photography, adding warmth and dimension to your images. Explore historic sites at these times – the low-angle light reveals the textures of stonework and enhances architectural features.

For portraits, make the most of the mild weather. Take the children on a conker hunt and photograph them against a canopy of golden leaves. Use Portrait mode to blur the background, isolating your subject beautifully and amplifying the seasonal colour.

Winter’s stark beauty

Winter’s pale, low light creates dramatic contrast ideal for bold, moody travel images. In snowy scenes, adjust your camera’s white balance to prevent snow from appearing grey or blue – most smartphones have a “snowy” or “cloudy” preset that works well.

Find visual contrast, such as a glowing cabin in a snowy landscape, to draw the eye. The expanse of white space adds simplicity and enhances the subject’s impact.

In higher latitudes, winter also extends the blue hour, offering a longer window for magical twilight shots. Use Night Mode to capture your loved ones under festive lights, and keep your camera steady for beautifully lit portraits against a dusky, sparkling backdrop.