{"id":105314,"date":"2015-10-22T06:45:50","date_gmt":"2015-10-22T10:45:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/admin-fsmag.paceinteractive.com\/?p=105314"},"modified":"2025-06-03T09:51:53","modified_gmt":"2025-06-03T13:51:53","slug":"inspirational-pictures","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fourseasons.com\/magazine\/discover\/inspirational-pictures\/","title":{"rendered":"8 Inspiring Travel Photos That Will Spark Your Wanderlust"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Inspiration is often difficult to define, especially for professional photographers, whose eyes are trained to spot a great shot from a mile away. But photographer Matt Long maintains that inspiration can strike anyone at any time. \u201cIt\u2019s about what means the most to you and capturing the essence of that moment,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

We\u00a0asked Long and seven\u00a0other globetrotting photographers to share one unforgettable moment during their travels that they were compelled to capture on camera.<\/p>\n

Splendour in the South Pacific<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\u201cTo me, photography has always been about capturing those moments that not everyone gets to see,\u201d says photographer Don Riddle. He believes that creating a great image takes planning, waiting and a bit of luck.<\/p>\n

To capture the above photograph of the over-water bungalows at Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora<\/a>, Riddle revisited the location at sunset on multiple occasions, with different results each time. \u201cSome evenings were rainy, and some were just average. Finally, the sunset was spectacular. I kept clicking the shutter as the light got better and better, until finally it was dark.\u201d<\/p>\n

A sense of place in Beijing<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Lake<\/p>\n
Without focusing on any faces, photographer Robb Aaron Gordon manages to capture the spirit of the crowd at the Summer Palace in Beijing. Photography courtesy Robb Aaron Gordon<\/em><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

You can almost hear the movement of the locals and tourists bustling through the Summer Palace on this day in Beijing. \u201cI wanted to show what a place feels like rather than just what it looks like,\u201d says photographer Robb Aaron Gordon of this intriguing shot. \u201cI like the idea of timelessness and infinity, which lends itself to this image. I didn\u2019t want to focus on people, but did want to give the sense of a crowd.\u201d<\/p>\n

Light and life\u00a0on the French Riviera<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Boy<\/p>\n
Even after countless trips to the South of France, Martin Morrell still finds the French Riviera inspiring, often pinching himself when flying into Nice. This shot of Paloma Beach, featuring a guest appearance by a young boy, was one of many pleasant surprises during a recent visit. Photography courtesy Martin Morrell<\/em><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

During a recent visit to Grand-H\u00f4tel du Cap-Ferrat, A Four Seasons Hotel<\/a>, photographer Martin Morrell found himself enamoured with the light and the variety of landscape in the South of France. \u201cWhile at a Riviera beach restaurant, I was watching the shadow of a tree on the pebble beach and water,\u201d he remembers. \u201cAs I took the photo, the boy ran into the shot, which made for the perfect moment.\u201d<\/p>\n

Morrell has travelled the world, but there is something he finds especially inspiring about the South of France. \u201cThere are elements of the Riviera that are timeless, and [that] French reluctance to change is also part of the charm.\u201d<\/p>\n

Watching Bali come to life<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Rice<\/p>\n
Christian Horan joined rice planters in a muddy field to capture this morning moment in Bali. Photography courtesy Christian Horan<\/em><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Photographer Christian Horan has learned that the more uncomfortable he is while shooting, the better the photo. Case in point: During a sunrise walk through Ubud, not far from Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan<\/a>, Horan slogged through mud to capture this shot of rice planters hard at work.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe calm, peaceful energy of the town and rice fields inspired me,\u201d Horan says. \u201cI had to wade far out into the mud to get the photo. But finally, the reflection of the people on the water revealed itself.\u201d<\/p>\n

Uncovering hidden gems in India<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Indian<\/p>\n
During a visit to the Taj Mahal, Rachelle Lucas was drawn to the more inconspicuous tombs surrounding the famous landmark. The simple design and warm colour of this portico is a direct contrast to the elaborate white marble of India\u2019s renowned mausoleum. Photography courtesy Rachelle Lucas<\/em><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Rachelle Lucas, creator of The Travel Bite<\/a>, rarely follows the crowd when exploring a new destination. \u201cThe Taj Mahal is beautiful, and so iconic,\u201d she says. \u201cEveryone instantly recognises it.\u201d<\/p>\n

But what most intrigued Lucas on her visit, and likely went unnoticed by others, were the many tombs surrounding the landmark. \u201cThe doorways seemed to go on forever,\u201d she says of the tourist-free portico captured here. \u201cThe feeling of infinity inspired me, along with the rustic orange colour.\u201d<\/p>\n

An unforgettable sunrise in the Serengeti<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"The<\/p>\n
Witnessing the Serengeti\u2019s Great Migration at sunrise from a hot-air balloon is one of Kirsten Alana\u2019s most treasured travel memories. Photography courtesy Kirsten Alana<\/em><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

On her blog, Aviators and a Camera<\/a>, Kirsten Alana beautifully chronicles her travels around the world. But it\u2019s a trip to the Serengeti during the Great Migration that created this most inspiring memory.<\/p>\n

During a sunrise hot-air balloon flight, Alana saw the ground below blanketed with zebras. \u201cI wanted to come away with a photo that encapsulated the landscape, hot-air ballooning and the Great Migration,\u201d she says. \u201cI kept turning and finally found the shot with the golden colour of the sunrise. I\u2019ll never forget that light.\u201d<\/p>\n

The wonder of Maui\u2019s sinking sun<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Woman<\/p>\n
In Maui, Sean Nguyen snapped this photo of his wife, Jennifer, as she took in nature\u2019s beauty. Just below the infinity pool, a sunset wedding ceremony was taking place. Photography courtesy Sean Nguyen<\/em><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Sean and Jennifer Nguyen, the husband-and-wife photography duo behind the popular Instagram handle @Kobechanel<\/a>, often find themselves drawn to natural settings during their travels. At Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea<\/a>, the couple found inspiration at sunset, citing the colours of the sky, the calm of the sea, the tranquillity of the infinity pool and the last light of day as reasons for capturing this view.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith its vibrant colours, nature is eye-catching,\u201d Sean says. \u201cWe especially like capturing unique perspectives on scenes that are well known to be beautiful images.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nature\u2019s beauty in Budapest<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Sunset<\/p>\n
Christmas markets brought photographer Matt Long to Budapest, where he captured this warm sunset over the cold Danube River from his room at Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest. Photography courtesy Matt Long<\/em><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cI love natural landscapes. There\u2019s just something about them,\u201d says Matt Long, founder of popular travel blog Landlopers<\/a>. Over time, Long has noticed how his eye and camera lens regularly gravitate towards the splendour of nature\u2014even in an urban setting. \u201cLandscapes show a simple beauty that\u2019s not fabricated,\u201d he says. \u201cIt captures the spirit of a place.\u201d<\/p>\n

From his room at Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest<\/a>, Long took this shot of the sun setting over the Danube River. \u201cIt was my first sunset in the city. I remember feeling enchanted and mesmerised by what is really one of the most beautiful cities in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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YOUR JOURNEY BEGINS HERE<\/h2>\n

Select a destination and start exploring<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\"Concierge\" <\/picture>\n

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