Next up in our series on inspiring destinations for a holiday or short break for the photographer is a little closer to home, but still an incredibly rich and vibrant place to take a camera. Yes, this week we’re going to talk about our own capital city, London. Diverse, sprawling, huge and ancient, London has so many highlights for a photographer that it’s almost impossible to name them all!

Because London is so big, it makes sense to create an itinerary of some sort before heading off. Invest in an Oyster card which will allow you to travel on buses, trams and the underground without further charge – it’ll give you the freedom to move around the city as you please.

Decide whether you’re going to photograph the sites, the people, or a little bit of both! For the street photographer, places full of character like Carnaby Street, Camden Town and Brick Lane are the obvious choices, but don’t be afraid to shoot anywhere. You could combine the sights with some street photography because the well-known landmarks of London will attract a huge array of interesting people – mostly tourists like you!

As landmarks go, The Tower of London and Tower Bridge are as iconic as they come. Shoot the tower from the opposite side of the river, from the bridge itself and then from close up, to capture the majesty of the building. If it’s your first visit, don’t forget to enjoy the experience and look out from behind the lens too, because there’s nothing else quite like it in any major city in the world.

Another landmark that just screams London is Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. For some really jaw-dropping images of this stunning building, shoot from the opposite side of the river near dusk when the structure is lit up and the sky is more dramatic. Get it right and you’ll have something special to print to canvas and hang on your wall.

A photo trip to London wouldn’t be complete without visiting these beautiful places of worship. You’re free to photograph both of them from the outside – and we heartily recommend that you do – but as working churches, they both have strict guidelines about shooting inside. St Paul’s requires you to arrange a permit before your visit and prohibits flash photography, but, alas, Westminster Abbey doesn’t allow interior photography at all.

These are a few of our highlights for the keen photographer visiting London, but we encourage you to explore and get off the beaten path. London has many communities and hidden gems that you’ll only find by venturing around. Always travel with a companion if possible and keep your gear close to you, and you’ll find London town welcoming and rewarding.