There’s a quiet kind of magic in the moments before the sun rises for chasing the perfect sunrise.
The air feels different — cooler, crisper, like the world is holding its breath. The streets are empty, the birds haven’t yet begun their morning chorus, and the sky starts whispering in shades of lavender and gold.

As a travel photographer, I’ve learned that these are the hours when a destination shows you its real face – unfiltered, untouched, and impossibly beautiful. And while sunsets often get all the love, sunrises reward the photographer willing to wake up in the dark and hike in silence.

Over the years, I’ve chased golden hours across continents — from the jagged cliffs of the Oregon Coast to the still lakes of Switzerland, from the rooftops of New York City to the misty valleys of Vermont in autumn. Each time, I come home with more than just photos; I come home with memories that smell like sea air and sound like the first wave of wind through the trees.

If you want to bring that magic into your own photography, here are my five best tips for capturing unforgettable sunrise images while traveling.

Know Your Location Before the Sun Rises

The number one mistake I see? Arriving at a location for the first time during sunrise.
You end up wasting those precious minutes fumbling with gear, trying to find a composition, or worse — discovering that the sun rises behind the building you wanted to shoot.

When I was photographing in Acadia National Park in Maine, I hiked to the top of Cadillac Mountain the day before, just to see exactly where the sun would peek over the horizon. That pre-visit let me find my ideal spot — a patch of granite with a perfect foreground of alpine plants — so when the big morning came, I just unpacked my tripod and waited.

Pro tip: Use apps like PhotoPills or The Photographer’s Ephemeris. They’ll show you exactly where and when the sun will rise for your location. Combine that with a quick in-person scout, and you’ll never be caught off guard.

Arrive Early – Earlier Than You Think

If sunrise is at 6:15, most photographers think, “I’ll get there at 6.”
By then, you’ve already missed the softest light and the pre-dawn glow.

I aim to arrive at least 45 minutes early. This gives me time to:

• Set up my gear without rushing
• Take a few test shots to check exposure
• Soak in the silence and atmosphere before the crowd (if any) arrives

One of my favorite memories was in Bern, Switzerland, standing on the Kirchenfeldbrücke before sunrise. The city was completely still, and as the sky turned pink, I watched the first tram rumble across the bridge — no cars, no tourists, just that single moment where the city felt like mine alone.

Use the Right Camera Settings for Sunrise

Sunrise photography is all about balance — between the warm tones of the sun, the cool shadows of the foreground, and the constantly changing light.

Here’s a reliable starting point:

• ISO: Keep it low (100–200) to avoid noise in those delicate colors.
• Aperture: f/8–f/11 for sharpness across the frame.
• Shutter speed: Adjust as the light changes; don’t be afraid of slightly slower speeds if you’re on a tripod.

I often underexpose by about 1/3 to 2/3 of a stop to keep the sky’s colors rich. If you expose too brightly, you’ll wash out those beautiful gradients.