This post was last updated on June 1, 2020.

Yann Arthus-Bertrand once said that “The Earth is art, the photographer is only a witness.” There’s no denying the breathtaking beauty of our planet. From the lowest beaches to the highest peaks, every part of it is unique and worth celebrating.

Whether you’re looking for the motivation to expand your photography website or are simply trying to take a break from the busy reality of everyday life, these beautiful nature photos will surely help you feel inspired and at peace.

Silhouettes of the savanna, by Mario Moreno

There’s no lion present in Mario Moreno’s photos, yet is it hard not to think about The Lion King’s opening scenes when looking at them. He has spent nearly two decades roaming Africa in search of what he calls the perfect moment: the moment at which everything comes together and a forever lasting scene is captured.

And that’s exactly what his portfolio feels like - a collection of unique images taken at the right moment. The Milky Way over the Okavango Delta in Botswana. A storm on Mara North Conservancy. Wild animal silhouettes at sunset in Kenya. The sun shining through a forest in Cape Town. Every single shot perfectly captures the unique beauty of this magnificent continent.

Delicate beauty, by Harald Wittig

Flowers might be the most common element in nature, not in absolute numbers, but in the variety of locations they are found. Valleys, forest, mountain peaks… even in your living room! Because they are so popular, they are also one of the hardest elements to photograph. How do you capture such a well-known subject in a way that will feel new and fresh?

Harald Wittig has mastered this skill to capture images that will make you feel as if you are seeing flowers for the first time. He achieves this through a flawless bokeh control that transforms trees into a painting-like background. The combination of this technique with an amazing color treatment results in beautiful, eye-catching images.

Saltwater cures everything, by Michelle Drevlow

Based in Maui, over 4,000km from the mainland, Michelle Drevlow’s work revolves around the sea. Whether she is shooting a wedding, family portraits or landscapes, sea water always finds a way into her photoshoots. The other main characteristic of her work is the treatment of light. She describes herself as a natural light photographer, and so the scene’s atmosphere is directly determined by time and weather.

On top of her work as a wedding and portrait photographer, Michelle dedicates most of her portfolio to underwater photography. Fish, turtles, people and waves all become subjects of her beautiful compositions. The unique treatment of natural light immerses the viewer, allowing them to become part of the scene.

On top of the world, by Nico Rinaldi

The outstanding work of Nico Rinaldi will make you feel as if you are the king of the world. Unlike DiCaprio’s icebergs, however, the beauty depicted in these nature photos is one hundred percent real. His portfolio revolves primarily around mountainous landscapes, from the golden hour in the Dolomites to astrophotography compositions over the coast of California.

Rinaldi’s masterful use of light and photography composition skills result in jaw-dropping images that seem almost otherworldly. Looking at his portfolio will make you feel both on top of the world and infinitely small, as you marvel at his awe-inspiring shots.

Spirit animal, by Robert Irwin

Few people in the world know animals better than Robert Irwin. Son of the legendary “Crocodile Hunter” Steve Irwin, Robert has spent his whole life surrounded by wildlife. Thus, it’s no wonder that his wildlife portraits seem to reflect the animals’ personalities, rather than just their looks.

Robert uses his photography talent to contribute to his family’s wildlife conservation efforts. From spiders and snakes to crocodiles, whales, birds and felines, all species have a place in his work. Despite his young age, Robert has already won several photography contests. On top of that, his photos have been featured in many galleries and publications.

Make a change, by Chase Dekker

Chase Dekker travels around the world to document the wildlife of each region and their ecosystems. His goal, he says, is to use photography as a tool to raise awareness and inspire people to make a change that will allow the subjects of his photos to last for generations to come. And believe us when we say that it’s impossible to remain apathetic to our environment after taking a look at his work.

His eye for composition allows him to create outstanding images that present our land and wildlife as you’ve never seen them before. His work not only captures the beauty of Earth, but also tells a story on how wildlife and the landscape relate to each other.

What does the fox say?, by Shane Kalyn

On his website, Shane Kalyn states that he hopes his photos “show that the beauty of the natural world is absolutely worth protecting.” And, honestly, if his fox portraits don’t convince you that this planet is worth protection, nothing will. Whether it’s cubs playing on the grass or an adult carrying his latest catch, Shane is able to press the shutter at the ideal moment.

His work is driven by the four natural elements: earth, air, fire and water. In his images, Shane focuses on a specific element to see how it connects to each scene. By doing so, he manages to create eye-catching compositions that simply cannot be ignored.

Piece by piece, by Stew Nolan

In a world where hundreds of millions of people are taking and sharing photos, it may seem difficult to create images that stand out from the crowd. Stew Nolan manages to do so by capturing awe-inspiring shots that defy the classic idea of proper composition. In most of his pictures, he chooses daring frames that highlight specific characteristics of each animal. This results in stunning images that make it impossible to look away.

His portfolio showcases outstanding, colorful photos of the African wildlife. Stew uses his passion for photography and his knowledge of Southern Africa to offer guided safaris and share his love for the continent with others.

The call of the forest, by Yuichi Yokota

While it’s impossible to truly describe the feeling of exploring the woods by yourself, Yuichi Yokota’s photos come close enough to doing so. He captures the delicate way the sun hits the growing moss, the incomparable beauty of autumn-colored trees, and the unique connection that one feels with the land when admiring its beauty without any interruptions.

His unique talent for capturing such demanding scenery results in a breathtaking photography portfolio that will make you realize how much everyone needs a break from the city every now and again. Forget white-noise playlists – next time you’re feeling overwhelmed just take a look at Yuichi’s galleries.

Eye to eye, by Ingo Gerlach

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder… but also in the eye of the subject. Ingo Gerlach’s work shows just how powerful a close-up composition can be. In an era where drone shots are the latest photography trends, these images are a stunning reminder of the importance of staying true to your style.

Ingo’s eye for detail, paired with his ability to capture each shot at the perfect moment, results in an outstanding wildlife photography portfolio that you’ll find yourself browsing over and over again. We recommend taking a look at his Spot the Animal series, which will put your attention to detail to the ultimate test.