Travelers have always taken lots of vacation photographs, but today it is easier than ever to take pictures you are proud enough to frame and hang, especially when you take a Cape Hatteras photography journey. Today, we at Lighthouse View are taking you on a photographic tour of our island home, documenting dramatic landscapes, breathtaking sunsets, and more.
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse During the Golden Hour
Most Hatteras photography journeys include pictures of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, taken during the golden hour (when the beautiful old lighthouse looks particularly stunning). There are actually two golden hours. The first will require aspiring photographers to wake a little early, as it occurs approximately an hour after sunrise. The angle of the sun adds an extra shine to the black-and-white structure, with the sky appearing especially blue. The second golden hour is, as you might expect, one hour before sunset, giving the lighthouse a soft, warm glow.
A Prime Spot for Bird Photography
Cape Hatteras is an important stop on the Atlantic Flyway, a route migrating birds fly when heading south for the winter or back home in the warmer months. With over 400 species of birds stopping by for a break or a vacation, Cape Hatteras photography enthusiasts will have plenty of opportunities to take all the bird pics they want.
A visit to the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, located in nearby Rodanthe, will offer photo ops that will make you look like a professional. Established over 70 years ago to serve as a nesting, resting, and wintering habitat for migrating birds, the refuge supports 370 bird species. Oregon Inlet, found on the north end of the refuge, may be where your best shorebird pictures will be snapped, but North Pond and the New Field/South Pond platform will provide some great shots as well.
Spots for Ocean-Texture Photography
As you continue your Hatteras photography journey, you may find yourself exploring the art of ocean-texture photography. This is a more abstract photo art, focusing on the beauty of the sea’s close-up details.
Buxton is known as one of the top spots for this type of photography, including Old Lighthouse Beach, the sandy beach where our coastal retreats rest. Spending relaxing hours in Storm Cottage, one of our more popular cottages, and then heading out to the water each morning to continue your obsession with ocean-texture photography may be your favorite part of your vacation experience.
More Unique Photo Spots
Cape Hatteras is one of the most popular spots for professional photographers, offering dynamic landmarks, landscapes, and seascapes.
Laura Barnes Shipwreck
The Laura Barnes was a four-masted wooden schooner that ran aground over 100 years ago, but its story isn’t tragic. Even though she would never sail again, all 8 crew members were safely rescued; there was no human life lost. Today, the skeleton of her hull appears at low tide on Coquina Beach and has been the subject of countless photos over the years.
Avon & Frisco Fishing Piers
Fishing piers are where you can get the most romantic sunset pics as well as the most fascinating slice-of-life pics, filling up your camera’s memory quite easily. The Avon Pier features a colorful arched sign that welcomes you to America’s Pier, and the crooked, uneven planks and pilings add charm to photos taken here.
Book with Lighthouse View Oceanfront Lodging
The salt air can be rough on delicate equipment, so be sure to keep it protected while taking your Hatteras photography journey. But if you do forget to bring your protective plastic covers for your phone or camera, you won’t have far to go to return home to your Lighthouse View rental. Book one of our most popular weekly rentals to extend your unforgettable photography journey on the Cape!
