15 Best Cities for Photographers Around the USA

Chicago is a wonderful city for photographers. Its skyline mixes old and new buildings beautifully - from classic structures like the Wrigley Building and Tribune Tower to the modern Willis Tower.

I enjoy starting my day by Lake Michigan, where the morning light shines on the glass buildings and creates beautiful colors. The Chicago Riverwalk is also a great spot, as it offers amazing views of the city from under its famous bridges.

A favorite tip from Chicago photographers (and from me) is to visit the 360 Chicago Observation Deck just before sunset. You can photograph the city in beautiful golden hour light, and then stay to capture the skyline as it lights up at night.

For street photography, neighborhoods like Wicker Park and Pilsen are ideal - they’re full of character, colorful street art, and real-life moments, which also makes them a great Chicago engagement photo location.

Every time I’m in New York City, I remember that no one can see everything in just one visit - and that’s what makes it special. Instead of trying to do too much, I pick just a few good places to take picture in NYC to focus on.

I often go to Brooklyn, to places like Dumbo or the Brooklyn Heights Promenade, where you get a perfect view of the Manhattan skyline. From there, when the sun sets, the whole city turns into a beautiful, golden outline.

For the best high-up view of New York, go to Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center. From there, you can take a perfect photo of the Empire State Building with the whole city behind it.

Down on the streets, each neighborhood has its own feel: Harlem is full of energy, Chinatown has interesting details, and Little Italy is bright and colorful. If you want a great picture of the Statue of Liberty without big crowds, take the Staten Island Ferry - it’s free and gives you an amazing view from the water.

San Francisco is one of the most beautiful photography places in the world, with its steep, curvy streets, but what I love most is how fast the views change. You can be taking a wide photo of the bay from Twin Peaks, and minutes later, be capturing the classic “Painted Ladies” Victorian houses with downtown skyscrapers behind them at Alamo Square.

I also really enjoy taking photos at Treasure Island - it’s my top choice for Northern California engagement photo location.

You can’t miss the Golden Gate Bridge. I’ve taken many pictures of it, but my favorites are from Baker Beach on foggy mornings, when the mist covers the bridge’s towers.

For another fun challenge, try taking a photo of Lombard Street from above. You’ll need to find a high spot to really show off its famous curves, but the view is worth it.

Philadelphia mixes old and new in a way that makes it great for urban photography. I love walking from the historic cobblestone streets and old brick buildings of Old City into neighborhoods filled with bright, storytelling murals.

Thanks to the city’s Mural Arts Program, you’ll find large paintings on walls all over, each sharing its own unique message. For the best view of the Philadelphia skyline, go to the South Street Bridge at sunset. You’ll see the buildings reflected beautifully in the river.

If you prefer lively, everyday scenes, visit Reading Terminal Market. It’s full of color, people, and interesting details - perfect for photos.

And don’t forget: the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art aren’t just famous from the movie “Rocky” - they also give you a great raised view of the city.

My first trip to Las Vegas surprised me. It wasn’t just the bright lights and energy - I was also impressed by how many different kinds of photos you can take there. Just a short drive from the city, places like Valley of Fire and Red Rock Canyon offer amazing desert scenery. I love shooting there at sunrise or sunset when the red rocks seem to light up from within.

Las Vegas casinos are bold, fancy, and full of energy, which is why it is one of the most well-liked places for Las Vegas photographers. I’ve spent lots of time taking photos at places like the dancing fountains at the Bellagio, the Roman-style statues at Caesar’s Palace, and the indoor canals at the Venetian.

Even the castle-like Excalibur hotel looks fun and magical under all the neon lights. My advice is to shoot at night, as the bright lights of the city make every photo look like it’s from a movie.

Charleston is the most photographed city in the world, which looks like a postcard come to life. The softly painted houses on Rainbow Row shine in the gentle seaside light. If you wait a little, you might see a horse and carriage go by - it adds an old-fashioned vibe to your photo. The old cobblestone streets and detailed iron balconies make every corner interesting to explore with your camera.

One spot I always visit is Magnolia Plantation and Gardens. It has neatly kept flowers, ancient oak trees covered in Spanish moss, and still ponds that give the place a magical feeling. I advise you to go early in the morning before the crowds arrive - that peace lets you take beautiful, clean photos of the garden’s natural grace.

Austin has a special feeling you won’t find in other cities. It’s easy to take great photos of the skyline from places like Zilker Park or near the Colorado River. The Texas State Capitol building is also a beautiful place to photograph because of its impressive design.

You can’t visit Austin without trying its famous barbecue and street food - both are perfect for shooting tasty-looking food photography.

But the real visual energy of the city is on South Congress Avenue. Walk along this street and take pictures of its unique shops, lively atmosphere, and the interesting people you’ll meet along the way.

Savannah is a beautiful mix of history and Southern charm. The first time I walked beneath the ancient oak trees covered in Spanish moss at Wormsloe Historic Site, it felt like traveling back in time. The long road under these grand, arched trees makes a perfect natural photo frame. Downtown, you’ll find well-kept historic mansions that show the city’s rich past.

When I need a change of pace, I go to Tybee Island. Its tall lighthouse is a great subject to photograph, both at sunrise and when the weather is stormy. And while Savannah’s “Rainbow Row” of colorful houses isn’t as well-known as the one in Charleston, it’s just as bright and pretty. It creates a nice contrast with the city’s more formal and historic buildings.

St. Augustine is a perfect place if you love to travel and take architectural photography. It is the oldest city in the U.S. You will find small streets made of cobblestones, orange clay roof tiles, and very old buildings that look like they are from the past, making St. Augustine one of the best cities for street photography.

My favorite place to take pictures is the Castillo de San Marcos fort. Its walls are made of broken shells, and it looks over the water. It is especially beautiful to photograph during the golden hour.

Away from the fort, I really enjoy walking through the old part of the city. Everywhere you look, there are balconies covered in flowers, detailed metal designs, and small, quiet courtyards behind old gates. The best time to go is early in the morning. The streets are quiet and empty, so you can take pictures of the beautiful, old-fashioned city without any crowds of tourists.

Deadwood feels like you’ve walked right into an old Western movie, but it’s all real. The town is full of history. For photographers who like the Wild West, this place is perfect. You’ll see old wooden buildings with painted signs, classic saloon doors, and dusty streets. These scenes are so great that they are easy to photograph.

One of my favorite ways to shoot here is to focus on the small details – a weathered hitching post, the texture of century-old wood, or a cowboy reenactor strolling down the street. In the evenings, when the warm light hits the facades, Deadwood feels frozen in time.

If you can, visit during one of the town’s historical events; the staged shootouts and parades add an extra layer of authenticity to your shots.

Portland is one of those rare cities where you can photograph a skyline at sunrise and a waterfall an hour later. Inside the city, Portland’s neighborhoods have many parks, bridges, and paths for bikes. These places are great for photos that mix city and nature.

I love starting my mornings with a view of Mount Hood glowing in the distance – the sight from Pittock Mansion is especially breathtaking when the city is still wrapped in soft morning mist. From there, it’s an easy trip to the Columbia River Gorge, where waterfalls like Multnomah and Latourell tumble down moss-covered cliffs.

In spring, the Japanese Garden is an explosion of color. In the fall, the bright red and orange maple trees in Washington Park are perfect for any landscape photographer.

In Sedona, the scenery captures your attention even before you reach for your camera. Towering red rock formations rise from the desert, their hues changing with the movement of the sun. I usually begin at Cathedral Rock, which is especially striking in the late afternoon when its image glows on the surface of Oak Creek.

For wide desert views, I like going to Airport Mesa – it’s one of the only spots where you can see the town, the red rocks, and the wild landscape all together.

What I love most is the way the light changes the land. In the morning, the colors are soft and gentle, while at sunset, the rocks glow with deep reds and golds. If you can, try one of the hiking trails – even a short walk can take you to a lookout that feels quiet and untouched.

For wildlife photographers, Honolulu is a special place. It has sandy beaches, volcanic rock, and tall mountains very close together.

I like to start my day at Waikiki Beach before the sun comes up. At that time, the beach is quiet and empty, and the Diamond Head mountain is a dark shape against a colorful sky. After that, it is an easy drive to the start of the walking path for the Makapuʻu Point Lighthouse.

For a totally different view, I go inland to the green Nu’uanu Pali Lookout. The sharp cliffs and curving roads below look like a scene from a movie, especially when low clouds move across them.

Eureka Springs seems made for anyone who loves taking photos. Hidden in the Ozark Mountains, the town stretches along steep hills with bright Victorian houses, each decorated with beautiful little details. Early in the morning, mist drifts in from the forests, softening the light and making the streets feel dreamy.

The Blue Spring Heritage Center, with its clear water and rich greenery, is one of my favorite places to relax and take close-up nature photos. My advice: bring a telephoto lens to photograph animals in the woods - you might see cardinals, deer, or even a fox if you wait quietly.

When I first visited this great city for photographers, I was amazed by the warm colors of the adobe buildings, their smooth shapes glowing under the desert sun. Taos Pueblo, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a place you must see if you love history and old-style architecture – it feels like time has stopped, and every corner has its own story.

I like to finish my photo days at the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge. At sunset, the wide views of the canyon and river below look their most impressive. For photographers, Taos is special - it lets you capture both the wild natural beauty of the Southwest and the unique creative spirit of the people who live there.

I’ve seen that photographers often get the most inspiration from places you don’t expect – cities that aren’t on every postcard but still have a unique and strong look.

• In Yerevan, Armenia, the buildings are made from a warm, pinkish stone that looks beautiful with the snowy peak of Mount Ararat in the background.
• In the Lofoten Islands, Norway, you’ll find stunning views where the rough ocean meets sharp, tall mountains.
• In Fes, Morocco, daily life happens in the narrow streets of the old market, where you can find shops and craft studios.
• In Melbourne, Australia, the small alleys are covered in graffiti and street art, making them great backgrounds for portrait photos.
• In Antigua, Guatemala, the old buildings are very colorful and are set against the view of a tall volcano, which makes photos look deep and interesting.
• In Cape Town, South Africa, you can see Table Mountain, the ocean, and the busy city all in one picture.
• And in Valparaíso, Chile, the streets are like works of art, covered in bright paintings, with staircases going everywhere.

If you want to see more beautiful places, take a look at Architectural Digest’s list of The 20 Most Beautiful Cities in the World. It includes great examples of stunning architecture and culture from around the world.