When I first began travel blogging I assumed it was just about writing. I soon learned it’s much more than that: great photography plays a central role. Today, most publications — big or small — expect high-resolution images to accompany a pitch, so improving my photography became as important as improving my prose.
Over the years I’ve immersed myself in photography and connected with locals wherever I travel. Locals know the best viewpoints, the ideal light at different times of day, and quiet, off-the-beaten-track locations that make your images stand out from the millions online.
On a recent trip to Cappadocia, my friend Kadir from Turkey Tour Organizer suggested trying their photography tour. Instead of flying in a balloon, the plan was to capture hot air balloons as they drifted above valleys from multiple viewpoints, then visit the region’s top photo spots.
My Photography Tour in Cappadocia
I rose at 4 a.m. and met Erkan and his wife outside my hotel. We drove to Göreme, the region’s hub and the launch site for the hot air balloons. On a clear day fifty or more balloons can take to the sky, creating endless photographic opportunities. That morning, however, uncertainty hovered over the flights.
The Civil Aviation Authority closely monitors balloon operations in Cappadocia and only allows flights when conditions are safe. Poor weather the day before put that morning’s launches in doubt while officials completed wind and safety checks.
We gathered around a small fire at the Royal Balloons compound and watched updates on a screen. Green meant flights could proceed; red meant grounding. When the final update arrived it showed red. All balloon flights were canceled and, because of my tight schedule, I had no alternative morning to try again.
It was disappointing, but the day still offered excellent photographic opportunities.
I went back to bed and met Erkan at 11 a.m. Instead of balloons, we explored panoramic viewpoints over Love, Rose and Red Valleys. These overlooks provide dramatic views of Cappadocia’s lunar-like terrain and fairy chimneys without the need for long hikes, so they’re ideal for photographers seeking sweeping landscape shots.
We then visited the quiet Anatolian town of Nar near Nevşehir. The old quarter is untouched by mass tourism; residents still cultivate vegetables and sell fresh produce at the market, offering candid, authentic photo subjects. Our final stop was the luxurious Argos hotel, where I photographed their striking terraces and explored the underground wine cellars holding tens of thousands of bottles.
That day I shot roughly a hundred images, shooting RAW and later editing them in Lightroom. Some images will join my private collection; others will replace older shots taken when I was still learning the craft and its many techniques.
When people ask me where to photograph in Cappadocia, I tell them the same thing: nearly everything in the region is photogenic — from aged houses and narrow streets to local life and food. If you want sweeping landscape vistas, focus on three main approaches.
1: A hot air balloon flight — the quintessential aerial perspective when weather allows.
2: Panoramic viewpoints overlooking valleys such as Esentepe, Pigeon, Red, Love and Rose — easily accessible and ideal for sunrise or sunset light.
3: High points in towns — many settlements have natural high viewpoints that offer excellent views:
- Ürgüp: the central rock viewpoint provides a strong vantage over the town and surrounding formations.
- Uçhisar: the castle is reputed to be the highest point in the region and delivers panoramic views across the landscape.
- Ortahisar: the top of the rock castle gives sweeping perspectives ideal for composition and scale.
- Göreme: the town’s rock viewpoint is excellent, and local contacts can sometimes arrange access to private terraces with great views.
- Cavusin: from the old Church of Saint John you can look out toward the Rose and Red Valleys for dramatic scenes.
Photography Tours and Local Guides
Photography tours in Cappadocia are flexible. Guides can tailor itineraries to your interests and skill level, and many operators offer instruction from experienced photographers to help you improve composition, exposure and post-processing. Local guides also know the best times and locations to capture unique images and avoid the crowds.
(Please note: the hot air balloon photo belongs to Turkey Tour Organizer and should not be used without their permission.)
