Classic Toyota’s Travel Guide to Gorgeous Destinations in Wisconsin and Illinois to Photograph for National Nature Photography Day

Every year on June 15th is “Nature Photography Day,” a holiday sponsored by the North American Nature Photography Association (NANPA) to raise awareness for nature conservation, promote enjoyment of nature through the arts, and to document wildlife and landscapes on local and global scales.  The first official celebration began on June 16th in 2006, and it has continued to grow and be adopted by people all around the world!

Feeling a little intimidated by the idea of taking snaps of the great outdoors? Fear not!  The wonderful thing about nature photography is that you can document it using whatever equipment you have on hand; you don’t need a fancy DSLR or expensive equipment to snap a picture of beautiful scenery or wildlife, we all carry a wonderful high tech camera right in our pockets: the smartphone! The Student Conservation Association has a great list of 9 tips for taking brilliant nature photos with your Smartphone.

Now that you know a little more about the holiday, we’ve got a fun list of places that would make a great little road trip for nature photography in Wisconsin and Illinois!  Check it out:

• Big Manitou Falls near Superior, WI is home to Big Manitou Falls and Little Manitou Falls and a beautiful trail system for hiking, camping, birding, and more!
• Lake Wissota State Park in Chippewa Falls, WI is a 1,062 acre state park set along the northeast shore of Lake Wissota reservoir. It’s great for camping, hiking, biking, horseback riding, and it even has a beautiful beach!

• Devils Lake State Park Baraboo, WI is a gorgeous state park set along the Ice Age National Scenic Trail with gorgeous scenic views of Quartzite bluffs along each of the many trails.  There’s plenty of scenic views to behold, and it’s perfect for both experienced hikers and novices.
• Pafrey’s Glen State Natural Area near Merrimac, WI is set within Devils Lake State Park and is a designated State Natural Area, the first one of its kind in Wisconsin!  There’s a 1.7 mile trail that boasts spectacular views of the sandstone gorge, and has access to a waterfall.

• Apostle Islands National Lakeshore near Bayfield, WI is an incredible destination year round for photographers.  This National Park is filled with islands, waterfront caves, and lighthouses.  You’ll have spectacular views of beaches and cliffs and local wildlife, as well as sprawling views of crystal clear water.
• Garden of the Gods Shawnee National Forest near Herod, Illinois and Equality, Illinois is one of the most photographed locations in the whole state!  Whether you’re camping or hiking or here for a photo excursion, you’ll find plenty of scenic views and gorgeous sandstone rock formations.
• Starved Rock State Park in Lasalle County near Oglesby, IL has gorgeous scenery that changes depending on the season, including seasonal waterfalls, beautiful caves with deep green mosses and trees, and many brooks and streams.  It’s so popular, in fact, that it’s one of the top destinations for local travelers!

Here’s 10 Wildlife Photography tips from Will at the NatureTTL Channel on Youtube: 

Here are 7 Easy Tips that will improve your landscape nature photography from Nigel Danson on Youtube:

Looking to connect with your viewers through Landscape photography?
Check out this helpful post for taking evocative imagery by Nigel Danson:

And another great series of tips on creating atmospheric imagery from Marc Robbins on YouTube using available light and composition: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ma_xn1-YgLM

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