Introduction

Don’t limit yourself to just a few shots when you’re photographing landscapes, outdoor scenes, or travel destinations. With a little pre-planning and creative thinking, a single location can yield a series of marketable images that can be unique, varied, but also highly commercial.

I tested this concept on the Isle of Skye; a place renowned for its stunning outdoor photography locations. Using my camera and some brilliant kit (more on that below), I set out to capture a range of images that would not only be unusual and show significant variation to the normal shots, but also be highly sellable. In the end, I was quite pleased with the results.

You can read more below with my seven top tips for capturing sellable shots from a single location, along with some beautiful visual examples:
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1 First: Get the hero shot, then look for alternatives

Some locations have iconic images that everyone wants to get, often referred to as the “hero shot.” In Skye, there are plenty of these. For me, the standout location was Neist Point Lighthouse, where I was determined to get a spectacular shot from the cliff edge. Below is my favourite image from that shoot, and I’m rather pleased with how it turned out.

I certainly wasn't alone at this location however, due to its popularity there were many other photographers here, too. I believe that capturing these hero shots is worthwhile no matter where you are, as they are instantly recognisable, and while you may encounter some competition, generally they are always in demand.

Once you’ve secured your hero shot, the next step is to seek out alternative images. This will both help you as a photographer, and your work, stand out. You can use your hero shot to entice viewers to explore more of your portfolio; making it far more valuable than just getting that single shot and moving on.

Simply put, don't plan your entire trip to a place on getting that single shot, do more than that.

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💡 Why these photos sell:

The "hero shot" is recognisable and timeless, but alternative approaches help your portfolio stand out from the thousands of similar images. Buyers get both familiarity and novelty.

2 When out on location, look behind you

When capturing the perfect hero shot, it's easy to get tunnel vision, especially when you're focused on an iconic scene and waitng for the right moment. Bit a valuable piece of advice I'd like to gve, that I've always tried to follow myself while standing out on location, is to look behind you.

You might be missing an equally breathtaking scene or a wonderful moment of light by only concentrating on one perspective. Often, photographing what's behind you (or maybe to the side of you) can also result in a unique shot that stands out from the countless others taken at the same location, even if you're literally standing in the exact place.

For instance, the lower photo below showing the Isle Of Rùm across the water was taken when I turned around while standing with my tripo in front of the Cuillin range at the famous beach of Elgol.

While I captured some beautiful images of the iconic view at Elgol (also below), I also really like the alternative shot, which simply shows another stunning view from where I was standing. Simply put, the photo was easy to get (all I had to do was turn around), but now I've got another unique image from that location to add to my portfolio.
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Front view:

When I turned around:

💡 Why these photos sell:

Different viewpoints give image buyers more options for popular locations, and unique views feel fresher and less generic than the typical shot.

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3 If you can, take shots of the same place in different conditions

Different lighthing, times of day, and weather conditions can dramatically change a location's appearance and visual narrative when capturing it. For example, an atmospheric, misty morning tells a very different story compared to the same location captured in bright sunlight.
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I experienced this in real time when I first photographed Neist Point on a rainy, overcast evening and then returned the following day when the sun shone with a beautiful autumn glow. The images I captured on each day feel vastly different despite being taken in the same place.
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If you have the time and capacity, photographing somewhere in different conditions is worth doing. You'll have far more in your portfolio that can meet the needs of photo buyers. For example, someone purchasing a print may be drawn to a moody, atmospheric image, while a travel company might prefer that photo captured in bright, enticing conditions.

You could even push this concept further and visit the same location at different times of the year!

💡 Why these photos sell:
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Photographs of places in different weather and light conditions can create a series showcasing diverse moods from one location. Thus, providing buyers with more options that align with their visual needs.

Kit tip:

For the sunny autumnal daytime images, I used the PolarPro CineGold filter to ehhance the warm glow in the scenes.

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4 Find unusual frames for your main subjects

Using unconventional frames for shots at your location can add depth and context to an image, providing an alternative viewpoint that other photographers may have overlooked. This approach can give your shots a competitive edge.

Look for both natural and unnatural frames in the environment you're shooting in to highlight your subject. These can include elements like trees, arches, fences, windows, etc, which you can shoot through to frame your subject.

For instance, I used some rusty old fencing near the lighthouse at Neist Point to create a unique frame, resulting in a shot that stands out from the typical lighthouse images.

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💡 Why these photos sell:

Buyers want fresh perspectives that stand out from overused “postcard” views, and framed compositions feel unique and creative.

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5 Go horizontal and vertical

When photographing landscapes, it’s easy to stick to a specific orientation, either horizontal or vertical. However, if possible, consider capturing both. Buyers may have particular preferences for a scene based on their intended use, such as a book cover, a double-page spread in a newspaper, or for online and print applications. By providing one horizontal and one vertical images, you’ll have an advantage, as you’ll cover a wider range of scenarios and requirements compared to only offering one orientation.

Here are examples of a horizontal and a vertical shot from Elgol. While the frames are slightly different due to the ever-changing evening conditions, you can see that having both options provides flexibility: one horizontal and one vertical.
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💡 Why these photos sell:

Horizontal and vertical formats increase usability; from web banners to magazine covers, one scene can serve multiple markets.

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6 Take images with copy space

Leaving empty areas in your frame, such as sky, water, or open land, can significantly enhance the commercial usability of your photo.

For instance, these images below from Neist Point Lighthouse features a lighthouse and foghorn with a vast expanse of sky above. These shots intentionally includes a significant amount of the sky in the frame for overlaying text. Leaving space in your images creates a versatile shot that's suitable for use in brochures, web banners, or magazine spreads; basically, for anything that needs text to be added over it.

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💡 Why these photos sell:

Negative space provides designers with space for text, logos, or overlays. Images featuring copy space are consistently in demand.

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7 Try different scales and perspectives

Zoom in, go wide, shoot high, and shoot low. Capture your subject from a variety of angles, scales, and perspectives.

Not every shot needs to capture the entire scene; some of the most marketable images focus on details. Also, consider that one of the best ways to make a familiar subject appear fresh is simply by changing your angle.

To convey a sense of scale in your image, consider including an object in the frame that the viewer can easily relate to in terms of size. For example, a human figure, a car, or even a sheep (if you're on Skye!) can help buyers understand the scale of the scene in your photograph. When executed correctly, this technique is highly effective.

Here are some visual examples of all of the above from a single location (again, Neist Point):

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💡 Why these photos sell:

‍Photos illustrating scale, detail, and perspective are fantastic for editorial storytelling, such as for features, photo essays, etc.

Kit I used on Skye:

My trusty Fujifilm X-T30 Mirrorless camera.
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NiSi CPL Landscape Filter, ND and GND filters - primarily for long exposure photography.
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3 Legged Thing Bucky Tripod with L-Plate — A beautiful piece of kit became essential for stability in Skye’s winds and quick orientation changes between vertical and horizontal shots.

PolarPro Cinegold Filter — softened harsh light and added warmth to landscapes in all conditions. Both were crucial in getting multiple sellable photos from one location.

Final thoughts

I hope that by reading these tips, you'll be inspired to try the concept of gathering multiple sellable images in one place, too. Remember, think creatively about details, perspective, orientation, alternative scenes, and conditions, and before you know it, you'll have a highly commercial portfolio of images.

If you're looking for more advice and step-by-step guides on selling your photography, both online and in person, take a look at our dedicated library of articles; how to sell your photography.

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Additional FAQs: How to Capture Multiple Sellable Photos from One Location:
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What resolution should I shoot in for sellable images?
We recommend you always shoot at your camera’s maximum resolution. Buyers often need large files for print or crop to their specifications.

How do I make sure my photos are commercially usable?
Look for distractions in your frame, such as litter, blurry elements, or logos. Clean, high-quality images are more attractive to buyers and can be offered with a range of licences.

Should I edit every image the same way?
Not necessarily but we'd recommend if you want to put togethera series. Consistent editing is useful, but offering a mix of edits can give buyers a wider range of options.

What’s the best kit for getting multiple sellable shots in one place?
A sturdy tripod and a versatile filter can make all the difference. A tripod helps with stability and orientation changes, while filters manage tricky light conditions.

How can I check the quality before uploading to my store?
We highly recommend you zoom in at 100% look across your entire image to check for sharpness, dust spots, or noise.

Should I save my images in JPEG or RAW?
‍Shoot in RAW for maximum flexibility when editing, then export to high-quality JPEG for upload. This way, you preserve detail while giving buyers the most usable file type (which is why only JPEG or HEIC images can be uploaded to Picfair Stores).