One City, Two Worlds: 10 Destinations for the Ultimate Vacation Photoshoot

The Secret to an Amazing Vacation Photoshoot

The secret to better travel photography? Go beyond the obvious. Don’t rush it. If you’re hiring a professional photographer, it pays to give them more than 30 minutes to work with. Often, a 60- or 90-minute session does the trick, allowing them to lead you to the best photo spots and to find the contrasts that make a Flytographer gallery more varied and your travel story much richer.

Since 2013, Flytographer has connected travellers with trusted local photographers in 350+ destinations worldwide. We’ve captured over six million memories for 100,000+ travellers who wanted more than a phone snap.

Today, as ever, we’ve tapped our photographers for insider knowledge. Here are 10 destinations where wildly different backdrops are never far apart.

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1. Reykjavik, Iceland: Wander from city landmarks to dramatic natural escapes.
2. Bali, Indonesia: Move from temples and palaces to rice terraces framed by volcanoes.
3. Maui, Hawaii: Trade palm-fringed beaches for towering cliffs and cascading waterfalls.
4. Amalfi Coast, Italy: Hop between cliffside villages and charming marinas.
5. Tenerife, Spain: Journey from ancient forests to otherworldly volcanic landscapes.
6. Kyoto, Japan: Step between imperial-era streets and futuristic architecture.
7. Santorini, Greece: Whitewashed villages and blue domes meet ethereal sunsets.
8. Dubrovnik, Croatia: Move from mighty city walls to turquoise Mediterranean shores.
9. Cape Town, South Africa: Choose between city, mountain, and ocean.
10. Cartagena, Colombia: Stroll colonial streets and escape to Caribbean islands.

Photo: Nadine in Cape Town for Flytographer. Cestaine and partner capture memories in Cape Town with a vacation photoshoot.

1. Reykjavik, Iceland

The “smallest big city in the world” is a joy to wander around. Reykjavik packs plenty of variety into a compact footprint, from stylish art deco facades to contemporary landmarks designed by renowned artists. And, of course, there’s Hallgrímskirkja, the church that has become the city’s unmistakable symbol. Drawing inspiration from Iceland’s dramatic natural landscapes, its design is unlike anything else.

Speaking of landscapes, a day trip to Skógafoss is well worth it for some epic photos. Standing before this 60-metre-high waterfall, you can’t help but be impressed by the sheer force of nature. As if the scene weren’t dramatic enough, rainbows frequently appear in the mist. Just nature showing off a little. ✨

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Photo: Luis in Reykjavik for Flytographer. Grace and partner capture memories in Reykjavik with a vacation photoshoot.

2. Bali, Indonesia

Bali is a large island, but many of its major sights are within easy reach (if you’re lucky with the traffic!). Base yourself in Ubud, the island’s cultural heart, and you’ll be surrounded by palaces, temples, and shrines, almost always framed by ornate gates. Beyond the architecture, there’s an extra layer of colour in the daily offerings and decorations, including the sacred black-and-white checkered textiles seen throughout the island.

Volcanoes often make an appearance on the outskirts of town amid rice fields, and you might even catch a glimpse of one on your way to Blangsinga Waterfall in Gianyar. This popular waterfall is a great example of a natural setting that’s easy to access and can be photographed from different levels, including the top and the plunge pool below.

Fly tip: This is a popular spot, so for the best light and fewer crowds, it’s worth arriving early.

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Photo: Bayu in Bali for Flytographer. Nora and partner capture memories in Bali with a vacation photoshoot.

3. Maui, Hawaii

Beyond the resort experience, the discerning traveller usually returns from Maui with a few good travel stories to tell (and photographs to show). They might involve a helicopter flight over the famed “Wall of Tears” or a journey aboard a traditional Polynesian outrigger canoe. The best stories we hear, however, usually begin with a surprise proposal. Maui’s local photographers know exactly how to find a secluded stretch of sand where the moment can unfold in privacy, with just the right backdrop.

A prime spot for travel photography is Kapalua Bay on the island’s west shore. The sand is soft and white, ideal for barefoot family photoshoots, while gentle waves lap against the rocks. The scene is completed by the graceful silhouettes of coconut palms. 🌴

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Photo: Rojeena on Maui for Flytographer. Paige and family capture memories on Maui with a vacation photoshoot.

4. Amalfi Coast, Italy

The Amalfi Coast is dotted with glittering ocean views and pastel-coloured villages that make for wonderful places to stay. But we would argue that Amalfi itself is a strategic choice, as it presents centuries-old architecture and winding streets against a backdrop of cliffs and sea. The Amalfi Cathedral and the Moorish-style interiors of the Cloister of Paradise provide plenty of material. The town also serves as an excellent starting point for exploring the wider coast.

On what is commonly described as Europe’s most romantic coast, destination weddings and surprise proposals are popular. For popping the question, Positano is a favourite, but the Path of the Gods presents a different setting with dramatic high-altitude views. Meanwhile, Marina Grande Beach provides the quintessential Amalfi backdrop, with rows of colourful umbrellas and fishing boats completing the scene.

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Photo: Andrea in Amalfi for Flytographer. Holley and family capture memories on the Amalfi Coast with a vacation photoshoot.

5. Tenerife, Spain

Tenerife, the largest of Spain’s Canary Islands, puts forward an unusually varied set of backdrops. For one, there are architectural landmarks such as the Santiago Calatrava-designed Auditorio de Tenerife, a sculptural landmark overlooking the Atlantic.

For most visitors, though, it is the island’s natural diversity that steals the show. In Parque Rural de Anaga, ancient laurel forests cover deep valleys and ridgelines. The area is a biosphere reserve, meaning its almost-mythical landscape has been carefully preserved. Less than two hours away, the scenery shifts dramatically to something almost moonlike. Within Teide National Park, Las Minas de San José replaces forests with vast volcanic plains and rust-coloured terrain. Positively extraterrestrial!

Fly Tip: Don’t underestimate the sun in Teide National Park. A bottle of water, sunscreen, and a hat go a long way.

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Photo: Chema in Tenerife for Flytographer. Sagar and partner capture memories in Tenerife with a vacation photoshoot.

6. Kyoto, Japan

Kyoto is a feast for the eyes, and not only because of its rich cultural heritage. Naturally, the Higashiyama District, with its narrow lanes lined with traditional wooden houses, creates a time-travel effect that takes you back to the imperial days of Japan’s ancient capital. Towering above the neighbourhood, Yasaka Pagoda is, quite literally, the perfect backdrop for photos.

But the city excels at juxtaposing the ancient with the modern. Its very entry point, Kyoto Station, provides a sleek, futuristic contrast, and you can think of Nidec Kyoto Tower as the contemporary equivalent of the pagoda. To experience a side of town that Kyotoites actually enjoy for recreation, head to the Kamo River, a waterfront area that’s ideal for outdoor photography.

There is also plenty of romance in Kyoto. Popular spots for a surprise proposal photoshoot include the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, with its magical green tunnels, and the Philosopher’s Path, for its peaceful canal-side setting. Early mornings are the best time to visit both.

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Photo: Coo and Yurika in Kyoto for Flytographer. Joyce and partner capture memories in Japan with a vacation photoshoot.

7. Santorini, Greece

Santorini’s picture-perfect reputation rests mostly on its whitewashed villages and blue-domed churches (rightfully so!), but the island also invites you to wander beyond. A short drive inland towards Pyrgos reveals medieval streets, stone houses, and rolling hills. In Fira, the grey and cream facades of the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist offer a visual counterpoint to the all-too-familiar blue-and-white palette.

It’s the landscape that ties everything together here, more precisely the caldera, formed over millennia of volcanic eruptions. Nothing says romance quite like a photograph taken along one of Oia’s caldera-facing pathways, with the Church of Anastasi in the background, a classic for good reason. Another favourite is the old castle at sunset, where curving cliffs and boats dotting the water create one of the island’s most iconic views. Needless to say, surprise proposals are a hit here as well.

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Photo: Stathis and Christina in Santorini for Flytographer. Madeline and partner capture memories in Greece with a vacation photoshoot.

8. Dubrovnik, Croatia

Not every medieval town in Europe can pair vibrant Adriatic waters with imposing limestone city walls in the same frame. Dubrovnik can. Here’s a Mediterranean destination that’s fantastic for travel photos, not least because of its striking contrasts and views. Walking along the famed walls provides a bird’s-eye perspective of the terracotta rooftops; from below, you can take a boat and admire the UNESCO-listed Old Town rising from the sea. Easily accessible is also the Rector’s Palace, where fantastic Gothic-Renaissance arches showcase the craftsmanship of the old Republic of Ragusa.

While in Dubrovnik, you can venture just beyond the Old Town and find rocky overlooks above turquoise coves or piers tucked between dramatic rock formations. It’s scenery that could belong anywhere in the Mediterranean. The most beautiful parts of it, anyway.

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Photo: Valentina in Dubrovnik for Flytographer. Amy and partner capture memories in Croatia with a vacation photoshoot.

9. Cape Town, South Africa

Cape Town boasts not only astonishing natural scenery, but it’s also a great place for street photography. The city is squeezed between the ocean and the mountains. Table Mountain, a majestic plateau, dominates the skyline, and Lion’s Head is a striking peak from which paragliders launch, colouring the skies. The best local photographers will tell you: few backdrops rival the rocky shoreline at Maiden’s Cove for professional photos, with the Twelve Apostles stealing the show behind.

In between these majestic mountains, the Mother City hides a remarkable blend of architectural eras, boasting Victorian, Edwardian, Cape Dutch, and Art Deco buildings in vibrant cultural districts. From the lively V&A Waterfront to the Bo-Kaap neighbourhood, famous for its rainbow-bright row houses, the hard part is deciding what to include in the background.

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Photo: Nadine in Cape Town for Flytographer. Nicole and partner capture memories in Cape Town with a vacation photoshoot.

10. Cartagena, Colombia

If Spanish colonial heritage is your thing, head to Cartagena de Indias, undoubtedly one of the most photogenic city centres in South America. You’ll find centuries-old buildings at every turn, while tropical island escapes are never far away. In Ciudad Amurallada, or the Walled City, the streets are lined with brightly painted buildings featuring stone archways and wooden balconies dripping with bougainvillea, a pretty good frame if you ask us. The stone defensive walls also feature several lookouts facing the blue Caribbean Sea.

The Rosario Islands are the primary natural escape, located just a short boat ride from the city. This protected archipelago boasts the classic Caribbean combination of crystal-clear turquoise waters and white-sand beaches. This is really what we mean by one city, two worlds. 🌎

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Photo: Juan A. in Cartegena for Flytographer. Elizabeth and partner capture memories in Cartagena with a vacation photoshoot.

Capturing vacation memories

In over 350 locations around the world, our professional photoshoots do more than capture a destination. They lead you to hidden corners, introduce a little local flavour, and show you a side of a place you might otherwise miss. More than a photo package filled with candid moments, we create travel stories that deserve retelling again and again.