Find landscape photography guides by Jennifer Esseiva.

Aerial view of Lagoa do Capitão at sunrise with Mount Pico in the background, taken on Pico Island in the Azores. The soft morning light reveals the lake’s reflections and the volcanic peak.

Best Photography Spots in Pico Island (Azores): Lakes, Volcanoes and Lava Vineyards

Pico Island is one of the most photogenic islands of the Azores, yet it often surprises visitors. When I first arrived, I imagined two iconic scenes: the red windmills along the coastline and the perfectly framed view of Mount Pico rising above Lagoa do Capitão. But Pico quickly revealed much more. Beyond its postcard views, the island offers dramatic crater lakes hidden in the highlands, volcanic slopes shaped by shifting weather, and the extraordinary lava vineyards of Criação Velha, where vines grow between black stone walls facing the Atlantic. Pico was part of a wider 10-day landscape photography journey across

Landscape photography of the northern lights during the blue hour in the Lofoten Islands, Norway. Green aurora borealis glows above the rugged Arctic coastline, with rocky foreground textures and reflections under a deep blue sky.

Northern Lights Colours: Green, Pink, Purple, Red and Blue Auroras Through My Lens

Seeing the northern lights has been a dream of mine since childhood. In recent years, I started traveling north more often to give myself more chances to witness this phenomenon that had fascinated me for so long. From Iceland to Lapland, Norway, and the Faroe Islands, I’ve been lucky enough to see and photograph the aurora borealis in many different colors, from the familiar green glow to rarer shades of pink, purple, yellow, and even blue. During exceptional solar storms, I also witnessed rare red and green auroras from Switzerland. Seeing the sky turn red so far south remains one

Landscape photography of the northern lights in Switzerland captured on January 19, 2026, at Lac de Bret in Lavaux, Canton of Vaud. Red and green aurora borealis glow above the lake, illuminating a small historic structure under a star-filled sky.

Northern Lights in Switzerland: How to See and Photograph Auroras in Rare Conditions

Seeing the northern lights was always a dream for me, and probably for you too. I had the chance to photograph them in Sweden, Finland (Lapland), Norway and the Faroe Islands. But Switzerland, my home country, never really felt like a place where this could happen. Well, it usually isn’t. But in recent years, solar activity has been strong enough to trigger major geomagnetic storms. And with them came rare aurora displays that lit up the Swiss sky. In this article, I’ll share my experience of chasing and photographing northern lights in Switzerland. You’ll learn how I predicted the events,

Long exposure photography at Reynisfjara black sand beach in Iceland, with smooth waves and sea stacks in a minimal seascape.

6 Epic Places and Moments to Photograph Iceland’s Wild Landscapes (Fall Guide)

In late September and early October 2024, I spent ten days exploring Iceland for the very first time. I wasn’t following a strict itinerary. Instead, I let the light guide me, drifting from black sand beaches to moss-covered lava fields, from golden sunrises to nights under the northern lights. I focused mainly on the south and west of the country, searching for quiet places, unique textures, and moments that felt suspended in time. Autumn in Iceland is short but powerful. The colours are subtle, the days are crisp, and the changing weather turns every scene into something unexpected. In this

Laguna Miscanti in the Atacama Desert near San Pedro de Atacama, Chile, with mountains and high-altitude landscape.

Chile and Bolivia travel photography: a solo journey

In 2012, I set out on a month of Chile and Bolivia travel photography, a solo route from the Altiplano to the Pacific. After two months in Santiago learning Spanish, I crossed the Atacama, the Bolivian highlands and Uyuni, then headed south to Chiloé and Frutillar, before ending on Easter Island. A journey of light, silence and slow exploration. I booked a three-month stay in Chile. For the first two months, I lived in Santiago and took Spanish lessons. I had always wanted to explore South America, and learning the language seemed like a good way to feel more at

Landscape photography of the Dragon Eye rock formation at Uttakleiv Beach, Lofoten Norway, captured at sunset with dramatic light over the Arctic scenery.

Discover my favorite landscape photographs of 2025

Landscape photography in 2025 has taken me across some of the most beautiful and remote places in Europe. From the snowy forests of Finnish Lapland to the lava fields of Lanzarote, the dramatic peaks of Norway’s Lofoten Islands, and the peaceful Alps in Switzerland, each location offered unique light, moods, and memories. In this article, I share my favorite landscape photography moments of 2025 : ten images that reflect my journey, the emotions behind the shots, and the joy of exploring nature through my lens. In Lapland, the northern lights were unforgettable to witness, but what struck me most was

Landscape photography of Derborence Lake in the Canton of Valais, Swiss Alps, captured with a Nikon Z8 in autumn. The scene features calm turquoise water surrounded by golden fall colours and forest reflections.

Setting Photography Goals: My Journey in 2025

Setting clear photography goals in 2025 helped me grow both creatively and personally. Getting out of my comfort zone has always been a challenge for me, and that includes photography. I tend to revisit familiar locations again and again, drawn by their changing light and moods. But this year I wanted something different. I needed a way to push myself, explore new places, and approach my work with fresh energy. This year, I decided to set myself clear photography goals. The idea was to train more intentionally, explore new locations, and push myself to improve my skills. In Switzerland, I

Golden sunset over the volcanic landscape of Timanfaya National Park in Lanzarote, Canary Islands, with sun rays illuminating black lava fields and silhouetted volcanic peaks.

Lanzarote Landscape Photography: 5 Landscapes to Capture

I had heard it was the most dramatic and raw of the islands, shaped entirely by fire and time. That immediately spoke to me. I’ve visited other volcanic islands before, like Iceland, with its black sand beaches, rugged coastlines, and endless lava fields. But something about Lanzarote felt different. More minimal, more abstract, and incredibly photogenic. In this guide, I’m sharing five of my favorite locations to photograph in Lanzarote. Of course, there are many more worth exploring, but these spots stayed with me long after the trip. What I loved about Lanzarote was the variety: seascapes with jagged rocks,

"Experience the serene beauty of Riisitunturi National Park in Lapland, Finland, through this captivating landscape sunrise photography. The snow-covered pine trees, bathed in the soft golden hues of the winter sun, create a magical winter wonderland. This stunning shot, taken during a road trip through Finland, showcases the tranquil essence of the Arctic landscape, making it a perfect moment of winter photography in the heart of Lapland.

5 Unmissable Winter Photography Spots in Finnish Lapland

From November to March, landscape photography in Finnish Lapland reveals a magical world of snow-covered forests, frozen lakes, and pastel skies. This remote region, home to Santa Claus himself in Rovaniemi, invites you to slow down and embrace the silence of winter. As you explore Finnish Lapland, you will walk through mystical forests of snow-laden spruces (also known as tykky trees), hike along peaceful trails in national parks like Riisitunturi or Iso-Syöte, and cross paths with reindeers and huskies. If you’re lucky and patient, you might even witness the northern lights dancing across the arctic sky. If you visit in

Beach at Thudufushi Resort, Maldives, with double rainbow over turquoise lagoon and tropical shoreline

Landscape Photography in the Maldives – Who said it wasn’t possible?

Landscape photography in the Maldives may sound unusual, since the islands are mostly known as a destination for honeymoons or weddings.. In 2023, I spent a week there with my partner, staying at the Diamonds Thudufushi resort. We wanted a trip where we could truly rest, without waking up at 6 a.m. every day to hike or chase viewpoints. Of course, knowing myself, I couldn’t resist bringing my camera. And yes, I ended up taking photos all week long. What surprised me was how easy it was. Everything on the island was so close that I could quickly run back