Every time I share a photo, I get the same question: “Where exactly is this spot?”
Sharing landscape photography locations is a sensitive topic. Some photographers are completely open about it, while others strongly prefer to keep their spots private. I have also seen people argue that not sharing locations helps protect nature. And honestly, I believe everyone is right in their own way.
I understand the curiosity. I spend hours searching for locations myself, walking in nature, studying maps, and exploring other photographers’ work. Planning a photography trip takes time, and finding a place that truly resonates is part of the process.
At the same time, I know what it feels like to see an incredible image and wonder where it was taken. I’ve asked other photographers before too.
I love sharing my experiences on this blog, not only the photos, but also the stories, the weather, and the quiet moments behind them. But when it comes to sharing exact photo spots, I don’t always do it. Some places I share freely, others I prefer to keep private. And here’s why.
1️⃣ Because it takes time and effort to find them
Many of my favourite landscape photography spots took me hours, days, or even weeks to find. I use tools like Google Maps, Google Earth, and Instagram, and sometimes I simply explore my surroundings here in Switzerland. I always keep my eyes open when I travel, looking for a lonely tree, a quiet corner by the lake, or a view that feels special.
When I share a photo, I want to inspire others, but I also want to respect the time and effort it took to find it. If someone truly wants to discover the same place, I believe the search should be part of their own journey.
Some locations are already well known, like the Dragon’s Eye in the Lofoten Islands. They are easy to access and clearly marked on Google Maps. I love these places too, and I always enjoy going back. But creatively, they can feel more challenging, simply because they have been photographed so many times.
What feels different to me is discovering something more personal. Sometimes, it’s just a place close to home. A spot you have passed many times, until one day the light changes everything, and suddenly, it becomes a photograph.
If you’re curious about my process, I’ve shared more details on how I find my photography locations in a dedicated article.
2️⃣ Because sharing also comes with trust
I have also experienced the opposite. In the Lofoten Islands, I met another photographer who generously shared some of her favourite spots with me. Without her, I would probably never have found those exact compositions. I might have gone to the same area or beach, but I would have needed much more time to discover those precise angles.
Because of that, I feel a strong sense of respect. When I mention these places, I simply say they are in the Lofoten. I choose not to share the exact location, because the research behind those compositions was not mine, it was hers.
Being able to benefit from someone else’s knowledge is a privilege. And for me, it comes with responsibility. Trust is something I never want to break.
3️⃣ Because secret places keep their magic
Keeping a place private makes it feel more special. The focus shifts from where it is to how it feels. Hidden locations also give me the freedom to create new compositions.
At popular places, many people already have a picture in mind before they even arrive. When a location is unknown, I don’t have that fixed idea. I can explore it with fresh eyes and experience it in my own way.
There is also that quiet moment of surprise, that feeling of “wow, this place is beautiful.” I hope my photos can inspire that feeling and maybe encourage others to see a place from a different perspective.
In Switzerland, there are many iconic landscapes such as Zermatt or Oeschinensee. They are absolutely worth visiting, and you can create incredible images there. But when I discover a new location, I feel a different kind of excitement. It brings a fresh perspective and a true sense of discovery.
4️⃣ Because not knowing pushes creativity
Not knowing the exact location is not a limitation. It’s an opportunity.
You might love a photo and recognize the general area where it was taken. But not having the precise spot forces you to stay open. You arrive without a fixed composition in mind, ready to explore and create your own frames.
And that changes everything.
At very popular locations, it’s easy to fall into repetition. The same foreground, the same angle, the same photo. It becomes harder to create something personal or to capture a stronger mood.
When you don’t know the exact spot, you have to look more carefully. You move, you test, you adapt. You become more present.
And in the end, you don’t just take a photo. You create your own vision.
5️⃣ How I choose to share my photography locations
It’s true that not sharing a location at all can feel frustrating. I understand that. So when I choose not to reveal an exact spot, I usually share a general area or region instead. I prefer to stay intentionally vague. It gives a sense of direction, without giving everything away.
Of course, if someone really wants to find the exact location, they probably can. It just takes time, patience, and a bit of curiosity. I see this as a balance between sharing inspiration and preserving the experience. I prefer to share inspiration, not instructions.
Not every landscape photography spot is a secret
Of course, I do share some places, especially those that are already well known, like Kirkjufell in Iceland, Zermatt in Switzerland, or El Golfo in Lanzarote. Sharing them does not change much, as they are already easy to find online and widely photographed.
But when a place feels more hidden or personal, I choose to keep it more discreet. Not to keep it for myself, but to preserve what made it special in the first place.
And if I was able to find it, you can too. The search is part of the journey.
Most of all, enjoy the moment when you get there. Take the time to look, to feel, and to connect with the landscape before even taking your camera out.
Most of all, enjoy the moment when you get there. Take the time to look, to feel, and to connect with the landscape before even taking your camera out.
Because in the end, it’s not only about finding the right place, but about learning how to truly see it. Happy shooting
Published on March 20, 2026 by Jennifer Esseiva
