Lake Tahoe is one of the most, if not the most beautiful place I’ve ever stepped foot in. With the majestic Sierra Nevada mountains surrounding its cobalt waters and crystal clear turquoise lagoons, Lake Tahoe is a top photography destination and an outdoor paradise year-round.
Not surprisingly, Lake Tahoe offers incredible opportunities for landscape and nature photography. However, like the Grand Canyon, you’re going to want to do some planning to ensure that you make your next photography adventure at Lake Tahoe an epic one.
1. Know What Kind of Photos You Want to Take and Where to Take Them
Lake Tahoe has over 70 miles (115 km) of shoreline. Two thirds of it is in California, and the remaining third is in Nevada. If you’re looking to take a specific type of photo and just “wing it”, you’re going to be sorely disappointed. Once you factor in stops, you can easily eat up an entire day driving the perimeter of the lake.
Before you set out for the day, I recommend familiarizing yourself with the lay of the land. For example, you’ll find the best photo ops of clear turquoise waters on the Nevada side of the lake. On the other hand, if you’re looking for rugged shorelines and majestic mountain views, you’re better off on the California side.
Beach Photography
Beach photos can be found just about anywhere on the perimeter of the lake. However, I found the best beach scenery to be on the northeast quadrant of the lake between Tahoe Vista, California and Glenbrook, Nevada.
Mountain Photography
Similarly, you’ll also find mountain views anywhere on the perimeter of the lake. To capture the best photos of mountains, head to any of the state parks on the California side of the lake.
Forest Photography
For forest photography, head up into the Tahoe or Eldorado National Forests, which surround the California side of Lake Tahoe. If you don’t want to venture that far, any of the ski resorts or hiking trails in the Tahoe area offer good photo ops of the forest.
Crystal Clear Turquoise Lagoons
Photos of Lake Tahoe’s crystal clear turquoise lagoons are my favorite. Look along the northeast shores of the lake between Incline Village and Glenbrook, Nevada. You’ll need to hike for the best photo ops.
Zen Photography
Lake Tahoe’s rugged and rocky shorelines offer a unique opportunity to capture zen-like photos in its pristine lagoons. Your photos will bring a sense of calm, cleansing, and peace to any yoga studio, home, or office.
Aerial Photography
You don’t need a drone or any special flying equipment to take aerial photos at Lake Tahoe. Simply hike, drive, or climb up to the top of one of the area’s many bluffs, cliffs, or lookouts. Look for the best views on the northeast and southwest quadrants of the lake.
One thing I really love about the diversity of Lake Tahoe’s landscapes is that you can so easily combine the above elements into your photos. You can easily capture a beach photo with zen-like rocks in a crystal clear lagoon. Then, jump in the car, drive ten minutes, and capture a stunning photo of the forest using the Sierra Nevada mountains as a backdrop.
2. Be Wary of Sun Angles
The wrong sun angle will destroy an otherwise perfect photo of any body of water due to reflections and glare. If you plan to take any photos that are looking east, west, or south, time your arrival so you do not look straight into the sun.
I fully understand if the sun angles still confuse you. Here’s a general rule of thumb to follow to keep the sun at your back. Schedule your photo shoots on the east (Nevada) side of Lake Tahoe in the morning. After lunch, head over to the west (California) side of the lake for the afternoon.
3. How Far Off the Beaten Path Are You Willing to Go?
Lake Tahoe offers plenty of incredible photo ops where you don’t even have to get out of your car. If you’re taking photos to show off to friends and family, sticking to car-accessible locations is perfectly fine. However, if you’re looking to sell your photos or get people to notice them, you need to do more to make them stand out. There are millions of photos out there from those car-accessible spots.
Fortunately, there are tons of options available to help you get off the beaten path. Because of the steep, rugged terrain, you don’t have to go far to obtain a unique perspective that makes your photos really stand out from the rest. There are trails from just about every car pullout and turnoff that go either up the mountain or down towards the lake. These options include:
- Hiking or Mountain Biking
- Boating or Paddleboarding
- Swimming
- Skiing or Snowshoeing
A Word About Swimming
Do not try to swim long distances in Lake Tahoe unless you have either a wetsuit or dry suit. The water is extremely cold year-round, reaching a peak temperature of about 61°F / 16°C at the height of summer.
4. What Time of Year Are You Visiting Lake Tahoe?
Lake Tahoe is an outdoor paradise year-round that experiences all four seasons. While each season has its pros and cons, you need to ensure you are prepared for whatever Mother Nature can throw at you.
Summer
Lake Tahoe is one of the premier summer getaways in the world. Sitting approximately 6,500 feet (1,980 m) above sea level, its cool summer breezes offer relief from the brutal heat that scorches the west every summer. As a result, beaches and resort areas are usually very crowded in the summer. Plan your photo shoots accordingly. Early mornings are often the best time to avoid the crowds.
If you plan to visit Lake Tahoe in the summer or fall, you’ll also need to pay attention to wildfires burning up and down the west coast. While fires threatening the lakeside communities are rare, smoke can wreak havoc on all outdoor activities, including photography. For the best photos, try to pick a day where the lake is upwind of all fires that are pushing smoke into the area.
Winter
My favorite time to visit any popular tourist destination is in the offseason. The winter months are the quietest along the lakeshore as people retreat to the ski resorts. Beaches are largely void of crowds and the pace of life in town slows down. Both the air and the water are much clearer in the winter. The snow-capped Sierra Nevada are simply stunning. Not surprisingly, the best snow photography is often right after a major snowstorm.
Unfortunately, Mother Nature poses far bigger threats in the winter than in the summer. The Sierra Nevada endure some of the most severe winter weather in the world. Snowstorms in the Sierra are well-known to strike fast and fierce, and are more often measured in feet than inches. Hurricane-force wind gusts are not uncommon, and roads can close without warning.
I’m not saying these to scare you. We just want you to stay safe while you’re traveling. The motto we always used in Oklahoma during tornado season was “don’t be scared, be prepared.” Always check the weather forecast before you travel. Stay home if you’re not comfortable driving in winter conditions on steep, winding mountain roads.
If you travel to Lake Tahoe during the winter months, you must carry tire chains with you, even if it’s not forecast to snow. Carrying chains is required by law in California, regardless of the weather. Both the California and Nevada DOT’s will require chains when it snows.
Second, know how to use your chains. Practice putting them on in your driveway. You don’t want to be fumbling around on the side of the road in a major snowstorm trying to figure it out. Do not drive faster than 25-30 mph (40-50 km/h) with chains on. Come prepared, know your limits, and you’ll have a safe and enjoyable winter visit to Lake Tahoe.
5. Lake Tahoe is a Great Spot for Abstract Photography
An abstract photo is an image that does not have an immediate association with the object world. They often isolate portions of a natural scene to remove its context from the viewer.
Lake Tahoe offers an abundance of opportunities for abstract photography. which include, but are certainly not limited to:
- Water and Reflections
- Sand/Beaches
- Rocks
- Mountains
- Trees
Additionally, if you’re there in the wintertime, ice formations along the lakeshore make for some interesting abstract photos.
6. Panorama, Wide-Angle, and Telephoto Photography at Lake Tahoe
There’s no right or wrong way to photograph Lake Tahoe. Like most landscape photography, you have three options to choose from.
Panorama
Lake Tahoe panoramas are absolutely breathtaking. Nobody will argue with you there. The secret to a successful panorama is to use the aerial photography approach we discussed earlier. Find an elevated location with at least a 180-degree field of view and let her rip.
Wide Angle
Most traditional landscape photography is wide-angle. At Lake Tahoe, wide angle photography works at both aerial locations and at lake-level. Make sure your intended subject is centered in the photo and is the dominant feature.
Set your zoom levels so you can still take in the entire scene. For example, let’s say your primary subject is the turquoise lagoon. The mountains in the background should be well-established: not so small you can’t see them, but also not so big they dominate the frame.
Telephoto
Landscape photography with a telephoto lens can be tricky to pull off successfully. Lake Tahoe is a great place to get your feet wet with it. While you are more than welcome to try at lake level, telephoto landscape photography is much easier from an elevated or aerial position.
You’ll also need a very specific subject that can take up the majority of the frame. A few examples of good subjects include an island, a boat, a dock, a specific mountain, and a tree. Don’t be afraid to get creative with your subjects or try shooting from creative angles.
View Our Full Lake Tahoe Photo Gallery
Head over to the Matt Gove Photo website to view all of the photos from our adventure at Lake Tahoe in early February, 2020.
- California Side of Lake Tahoe, including Emerald Bay and the California State Parks.
- Nevada Side of Lake Tahoe, including Sand Harbor and its stunning turquoise waters
- Hike to the top of Cave Rock for some breathtaking aerial photos of Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada.
Final Thoughts
Lake Tahoe is one of the beautiful and breathtaking locations in the world. It’s an outdoor paradise that every landscape photographer should visit at least once in their lifetime.
Many people underestimate just how big Lake Tahoe actually is and try to cram too much into one photo shoot. Know what kind of photos you’re after, how you’re going to get there, and what conditions to expect. If you don’t get everything you want, you can always come back and get it next time.
