Whether you are planning a vacation to Australia or you are just a local exploring the continent, there is a lot to see and a lot more to photograph in this massive country. Though Australia is widely known for its picturesque beaches and the marvellous Great Barrier Reef, the country is home to an array of heritage-listed rainforests, glacier-carved mountains, golden beaches, and tropical islands, followed by towering cities that make it a heaven for photographers in Australia.
While the choices are many, honouring the true beauty of Australia through a camera can be a daunting task. The sheer magnitude of the landscapes is awe-inspiring. One will surround oneself with sapphire seas, emerald rainforests tumbling, copper deserts, multi-pattern coral reefs; and rugged red rocks eroded by wind and water, narrating the story of this vibrant land.
Famous places like the Sydney Opera House receive the bulk of the crowd, making it the most Instagrammed place in Australia. However, it doesn’t define the entire country. Confused? Don’t worry we are here to help you out!
Best Place for Photoshoot in Australia
Below we have picked some of our favourite spots for a beautiful photoshoot in Australia. Here they are:
The Pink Lakes of Western Australia
Yes, a pink lake in Australia, you read that right. There are a couple of pink salt lakes located in Australia with perhaps the most iconic ones situated along the coast of Western Australia. The Bubblegum Pink Lake at Esperance and the Hutt Lagoon near Port Gregory both look remarkable. We suggest using drones to take photos of landscapes with varying colours. However, this lake does not have to be seen from above as all you need is a good view from the ground level.
Princes Pier, Melbourne, Victoria
If you visit in daylight, chances are, you will already see fellow photographers with their equipment and tripods capturing the beauty of this spot.
Though there is no scarcity of beautiful piers and jetties in Australia, the most photographed one is Princes Pier at Port Melbourne. In the daytime, it’s a good location for long-exposure photography. The location features the original wooden pillars used to construct it in the early 1900s. This structure remained operational until a massive fire took place and the timber degeneration stopped everything back in the 1990s, giving photography enthusiasts and cinematographers a chance to capture historical and natural images.
Twelve Apostles, Great Ocean Road, Victoria
Once this place was known for its 12 limestone monoliths. While some of the monoliths succumbed to erosion, leaving the toll at 7 the name continues, making this place a perfect spot for travel photographers in Australia. Please travel to Melbourne and along the Great Ocean Road can stop here and capture the beauty of it with their cameras.
While Australians know about it many people outside Australia can also recognise this place as its pictures are extensively promoted by Australian tourism, specifically those for the state of Victoria – a mist-drenched seaside landscape with a sheer cliff on one side and stone stacks rising above the waves on the beach below. Here is a tip; the most common spot can be packed with tourists and locals, what you can do is get down to the beach and enjoy the magical sunrise there.
Bombo Headland Quarry, Bombo, New South Wales
Majestic stone columns and crashing waves of water make this spot straight out of a science fiction movie. In fact, Bombo Quarry on the south coast of New South Wales was featured in a cameo part in the 1995 Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie as the landscape of the alien planet Phaedos. It’s also a popular spot for capturing the Milky Way and star trails too, with less ambient light than Kiama, the nearby coastal town.
The Pinnacles, Cervantes, Western Australia
Every traveller, mostly in the western part of Australia, will definitely have the Pinnacles Desert on their list. Visiting this place feels like stepping into a fantasy world alongside the limestone pinnacles, rising from the desert sand on which the place is named. Thousands of years of erosion have resulted in this landscape pockmarked with several conical limestone rocks that can be photographed really well at any time of day.
Mackenzie Falls, Grampians National Park, Victoria
Picking a waterfall location in Australia is the hardest task as the country is marked by a number of mesmerising waterfalls. However, we have narrowed down the best one for you- The Mackenzie Falls in Victoria. We picked this spot as it’s a good introduction to the Grampians National Park, which gives you a number of viewpoints and a serene natural landscape that will give you the money shot for your Instagram.
Make sure to carry a neutral density filter for your camera to make the most of Mackenzie Falls and the adjacent landscape. As the largest waterfall in Victoria, it features a deep pool and plenty of boulders splashing the water to create a rainbow mist effect – hence a heaven for nature photography in Australia.
Umpherston Sinkhole, Mount Gambier, South Australia
A natural depression in the ground? A perfect spot to create a beautiful garden!
Mount Gambier’s Umpherston Sinkhole (also known as the Sunken Garden) was formed when a limestone chamber roof collapsed which had been eroded for years. James Umpherston converted this depression into a beautiful garden in 1886 which remains open for public visits throughout the day. It’s home to a bunch of possums, who appear as the sun sets. The location is perfect for gimbal photography to capture the perfect 360º camera shots.
Sydney Opera House, Sydney, New South Wales
The most popular place in Australia is perhaps the Sydney Opera House which also becomes the most seen place in this island country. The sheer history and brilliance of the building along with the Vivid Sydney light show makes it a perfect sport for your Instagram pictures. You can take a picture at any time of the day, both inside and out from different angles to capture the full essence of the spot. Experienced Australian photographers even capture the Harbour Bridge in the same shot, to make your pictures feel more alive.
Tips for Finding the Best Photographer in Australia
Hiring a photographer is overwhelming. On the face of it, it might look easy but there is a lot of thought that should go into this decision. Only cost-effectiveness might not fulfil your purpose here. We need to consider multiple aspects like the nature of the event, the expertise of the photographer and his team, the event’s duration and timing etc.
Here are ten tips that will help you find a professional photographer in Australia:
Leverage Online Platforms
One should do all the research they can before finalising a photographer. Explore different websites, use dictionaries, check social media sites, etc., to locate various photographers within your locality and see if they fit in with your style or event theme.
Read Reviews and Testimonials
Looking through reviews and testimonials will enable one to get insight into what experience a photographer has had with his/her clients before. Look for reviews and testimonials from past clients on their website and social media to see if they are satisfactory and then only initiate a conversation.
Check Portfolios
A photography portfolio is a reflection of the work of any photographer. It gives a clear picture of what your shoot would look like. You’ll want your visit to the land down under, be it pleasure or business, to be immortalised as a beautiful album, right? So always ask for a portfolio as it will give you an idea of a photographer’s style and ability to cover the event.
Ask for Recommendations
Always take advice and recommendations from friends, family, and wedding vendors who have firsthand experience working with photographers in Australia. This will remove any risk or surprise as their work has already been seen and judged.
Check Availability
Checking the availability of your photographer for the planned date and time is perhaps the most important factor. Make sure both the date and time are conveyed and there is a level of flexibility with your chosen photographer.
Experience and Expertise
While we understand that budget restraints exist, we recommend going for a photographer with experience in your particular event like a wedding, nature or travel etc. A professional photographer will always be more quality-oriented and deliver better results.
Schedule Consultations
Interact with the photographer and schedule a consultation session to discuss your vision for the event. We suggest you ask questions and determine if you feel comfortable and confident working with them.
Discuss Costs and Packages
During one of these consultation sessions, inquire about the pricing, packages, and any additional photography services that they can offer to maintain transparency and avoid any shocks.
Read Contracts
We always recommend having a written contract over a verbal agreement. Carefully review all clauses in the contracts to understand the terms and conditions, including details about photography services that you are availing, pricing, and delivery timelines.
Trust Your Instincts
One should always trust their instincts while hiring a photographer. Ultimately, you need good pictures for your event and an experienced photographer can deliver them for you. He will make you feel at ease and excited about the prospect of capturing the event with his input and suggestions.
Conclusion
Follow the above tips to get the best photographer in Australia and capture your moments in its purest form. No matter if you are looking for a wedding, travel, or wildlife photographer, the above tips will help you get a photographer that solves your purpose.
