Mountain Photoshoot Ideas
“I want to see mountains again, MOUNTAINS, Gandalf!”
If you’re anything like Bilbo Baggins, you know that mountains have a true magic about them. When we reach their summit, we feel like we’re on top of the world, and from below, they have a humbling effect; we look oh-so-small compared to their looming vastness.
From the snow-crested peaks of the Rocky Mountains to the volcanic Red Hills of Iceland, let’s dive into the best (and most magical) mountain photoshoot locations.
At Flytographer, we connect people with trusted photographers for memorable photo shoots worldwide. Our professional photographers have captured over three million memories worldwide! They specialize in capturing nature photography, outdoor portraits, green spaces, and mountainous landscape photography!
We asked our global photographers to show us around all the very best spots for a mountain photoshoot. In addition to gorgeous mountain landscapes, we’ll also share our pro photo tips to best capture these natural wonders. 📸
TLDR
(Here’s a sneak peek 🏔😂 at all the mountain views we’ll cover below.)
- Banff, Alberta: This lavish resort town is famous for its gorgeous views of the Rocky Mountains and Banff National Park.
- Boulder, Colorado: A part of the Rocky Mountains, the beautiful city of Boulder is packed with truly majestic outdoor photo opportunities.
- Zurich, Switzerland: Surrounded by the Swiss Alps, Zurich is full of dazzling fairy-tale-like architecture, chocolates, and mouth-watering restaurants.
- Honolulu, Hawaii: Known as Hawaii’s capital city, Honolulu has two mountain ranges made up of extinct volcanoes: the Koʻolau range to the east and the Waiʻanae range to the west.
- Reykjavik, Iceland: This magnificent city has abundant hot springs, waterfalls, geysers, and lava fields that give you the feeling of being on another planet.
- Park City, Utah: This destination is located on the back of the Wasatch Mountains, which rise over 10,000 feet!
- Sedona, Arizona: Known for its iconic red rocks and panoramic views, Sedona is not a spot to be missed.
- Kyoto, Japan: This city is steeped in rich history and surrounded by mountains full of lush green trees. Don’t miss the cherry blossom season!
- Cape Town, South Africa: One of the most beautiful cities in the world, Cape Town is full of immaculate coastlines and magnificent mountain ranges.
- Jackson Hole, Wyoming: The Gros Ventre and Teton mountain ranges are full of rivers, lush forests, and wildlife like American bison, elk, and grizzly bears.
Photo: Whitney in Portland, Oregon for Flytographer. Caitlin and partner capture their anniversary together in Portland, Oregon with a couple photoshoot.
1. Banff, Alberta
Located on the west coast of Canada, Banff is a lavish resort town most famous for the Banff National Park, which offers incredible views of crystal clear blue lakes, thick green forests, and the white mountain tops of the Rocky Mountains all year-round – as long as you don’t mind the snow!
If you aren’t into skiing and prefer milder temperatures, visit in the summer when you can take a canoe across the iconic Lake Louise, surrounded on all sides by those majestic mountains!
📸 Pro photography tip: When shooting in mountainous settings, wide-angle lenses are essential for capturing the grandeur of the landscape.
📍 Need a photographer? Browse our database of experienced Banff photographers.
Photo: Robin in Banff for Flytographer. Rebecca and partner celebrate a day together in Banff with a couple photoshoot.
2. Boulder, Colorado
Nestled in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, the beautiful city of Boulder is packed with museums, cafes, art galleries, and world-renowned restaurants. Plus, it’s just a stone’s throw away from some truly majestic mountain photoshoot opportunities.
Boulder is known for several unique and stunning landmarks, but if you’re on the hunt for world-class photos, be sure to check out Lost Gulch Overlook, a picturesque spot high up in the mountains that’s perfect for photos, proposals, and even weddings. Or check out Chautauqua Park, a big open space with an iconic view of the famous Flatirons, slabs of slanted sedimentary stone located on the foothills.
📸 Pro photography tip: Don’t shy away from getting up close and personal with your subjects to capture emotion and personality. A full view of the mountain peak doesn’t need to be in every photo.
📘 View our guide to the Top 10 Places to Take Photos in Denver & Boulder.
Photo: Flytographer in Boulder. Kristin and family capture a trip together in Boulder with a family photoshoot.
3. Zurich, Switzerland
Zurich is a city full of dazzling fairy-tale-like architecture, chocolates, mouth-watering restaurants, and plenty of cultures. Not only is the city itself a marvel, but it’s surrounded by stunning natural beauty. Take a trip to Uetliberg, a mountain just outside of Zurich, where you can capture a 360-degree panoramic view of both Zurich and the Swiss Alps.
📸 Pro photography tip: Look for unique angles. While snapping a pic straight on will give you a traditional image, don’t be afraid to experiment with other angles to capture a unique view of the mountains and your subjects!
📍 View our database of experienced Zurich photographers
Photo: Flytographer in Zurich. Cameron and partner capture their engagement in Zurich with a proposal photoshoot.
4. Honolulu, Hawaii
Located on the island of Oahu, Hawaii’s capital city, Honolulu, is known for phenomenal restaurants, shopping, white sand beaches, and two mountain ranges made up of extinct volcanoes: the Koʻolau range to the east and the Waiʻanae range to the west.
If you’re looking for amazing panoramic photos of the steep Koʻolau cliffs and lush Windward Coast, don’t miss the Nuʻuanu Pali Lookout, located over a thousand feet above the Oahu coastline and surrounded by mountain peaks blanketed by clouds which makes it a stunning spot for a mountain photoshoot.
📸 Pro photography tip: Capture beautiful moments at the golden hour, the period of daylight that arrives shortly after sunrise or just before sunset. It’s also known as magic hour – a photographer’s dream!
📘 Save our Ultimate Hawaiian Islands Travel Guide.
Photo: Laura in Honolulu for Flytographer. Rowena and family capture a trip together in Honolulu with a family photoshoot.
5. Reykjavik, Iceland
The capital city of Iceland boasts hot springs, waterfalls, and landscapes that make you feel as though you’ve just set foot on a completely different planet.
Case in point: don’t miss the chance to snap some unforgettable photos in The Rauðhólar (Red Hills), which are remnants of a group of pseudocraters that are about 5,200 years old. Nothing says “amazing photo opportunity” like geysers and lava fields! 🌋
📸 Pro photography tip: Using a tripod will help you capture sharp, in-focus shots, even in low-light situations.
📍Connect with an experienced Reykjavik photographer.
Photo: Ernir in Reykjavik for Flytographer. Brad and partner celebrate a birthday together in Reykjavik with a couple photoshoot.
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6. Park City, Utah
A year-round resort town, Park City is located on the back of the Wasatch Mountains, which rise over 10,000 feet!
If you’re going to take photos anywhere, check out the Bonanza flats. Mostly inaccessible in the winter due to the massive amount of snow the Wasatch Mountains get, this place makes for a beautiful mountain photoshoot in the spring and summer when the rolling hills are covered in lush green trees and wildflowers. Or visit in autumn when the leaves start to turn. 🍃🍂🍁
📸 Pro photography tip: Look for interesting foreground elements, such as branches, rocks, foliage, wildflowers, or animals in their natural habitat, to add depth and texture to your photos.
📍 Browse our database of experienced Park City photographers.
Photo: Flytographer in Park City. Nicole and family capture a day together together in Park City with a family photoshoot.
7. Sedona, Arizona
Sedona and its surrounding area are packed with awe-inspiring photo opportunities. Known for its iconic red rocks and panoramic views, Sedona is not a spot to be missed. While you’re here, be sure to capture some Instagramable magic at Horseshoe Bend at sunset, and, oh yeah, snap some pics at the Grand Canyon too!
📸 Pro photography tip: Pay attention to the lighting of your environment and adjust your shutter speed accordingly. Brighter days call for a faster shutter speed to capture sharp images without overexposing them. If it’s darker out, use longer exposures to let more light in.
📍 Connect with one of our talented Sedona photographers.
Photo: Whitney in Sedona for Flytographer. Natalie and partner capture a couples trip together in Sedona with a couple photoshoot.
8. Kyoto, Japan
Kyoto is a truly beautiful place to visit, and it makes for some incredible photos. Surrounded by mountains full of lush green trees, it’s a city steeped in rich history. Don’t miss the sakura trees during the cherry blossom season, the world-renowned bamboo grove, awe-inspiring temples and shrines, and all-around stunning landscapes, perfect for a mountain photoshoot.
📸 Pro photography tip: Set your clock and be patient, as the lighting in natural locations will change quickly and drastically throughout the day.
💡 For more ideas, here are our Top 10 Places to Take Photos in Kyoto.
Photo: Coo and Yurika in Kyoto for Flytographer. Herman and partner celebrate a day together in Kyoto with a couple photoshoot.
9. Cape Town, South Africa
One of the most beautiful cities in the world, Cape Town is full of immaculate coastlines and magnificent mountain ranges – it even has penguins! Don’t miss Signal Hill, a flat-topped hill that provides stunning panoramic views of the majestic Table Mountain, the ocean, and the city below.
📸 Pro photography tip: Look for ways you can use negative space in your mountain shots, such as including open blue sky to draw attention to the mountains.
📘 Save our Guide to the Best Things to Do in Cape Town, and for more ideas, here are our Top 10 Places to Take Photos in Cape Town.
Photo: Nadine in Cape Town for Flytographer. My-Chau and partner capture an anniversary together in Cape Town with a couple photoshoot.
10. Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Jackson Hole is a valley located between the Gros Ventre and Teton mountain ranges. It’s full of rivers, lush forests, wildlife like American bison, elk, and grizzly bears, and exquisite mountains! Don’t miss the Snake River Overlook, accessible by car, which offers stunning views of the Snake River with the Grand Teton Mountains in the background.
📸 Pro photography tip: Use the landscape and surrounding nature to create interesting frames within the picture on your next mountain photoshoot.
📍 Browse our database of experienced Jackson Hole photographers.
Photo: Madison in Jackson Hole for Flytographer. Michelle and partner capture a day together in Jackson Hole with a couple photoshoot.
Capturing Memories with Mountain Photography
This big and beautiful world is absolutely filled with gorgeous mountain landscapes of all shapes and sizes. Although we’ve shared our top 10 above, we can’t help but include a couple of honourable mentions.
- Bansko, Bulgaria: Once a seasonal ski town, this small town that’s encircled by mountains is now a digital nomad hub all year-round. It’s an ideal spot for anyone on a budget or those who want to travel with the comfort of multiple coworking spaces and a digital nomad community. 💻
- Los Gigantes, Canary Islands: Acantilados de Los Gigantes sits on Tenerife in the Canary Islands. It stretches out from the sea and lays along a dark sandy beach, making for a truly stunning sight. Plus, the perfect 25-degree weather year-round ain’t bad for a mountain photoshoot. ☀️😉
Flytographer pairs you with professional portrait and landscape photographers from all over the world for a unique photo session set against the backdrop of your global adventure. No more missed moments, out-of-focus faces, or uncomfortable poses! Check our location database for the full list of Flytographer destinations.
“Flytographer and Coo both helped answer all our questions before our trip and made us feel prepared. Coo was able to accommodate the photoshoot locations we wanted and also took us to some of his recommended spots. We really appreciated the time walking between locations because Coo was super friendly and was happy to have conversations with us. I feel like that helped us feel more relaxed during our shoot. There was light rain during our shoot, however, Coo still captured magic! We absolutely loved the photos and would recommend anyone traveling to Kyoto to book Coo for their photoshoot!”
Jonathan
“Nadine was so much fun to have our first photoshoot with! She remained in contact with us throughout, leading up to the photo shoot and after! She had excellent suggestions on possible plan B if the wind did not cooperate in our chosen location! She made this experience very enjoyable and memorable, hope to do a photoshoot again with her someday!”
Neeti
“I’m truly blown away by our experience with Bree. She’s incredibly talented, so funny, and just all-around someone who knows what they are doing and you can tell really really enjoys her artistry. Bree took us from awkward, a little shy, and uncomfortable in front of the camera people to full-blown models, the confidence she gave me in her direction and her natural ability to bring people out of their shells while also capturing us in our truest form is something I will never be able to thank her for enough.”
Bailie
