This week we're turning our lens toward the majestic beauty of trees, as captured by a group of talented nature and landscape photographers on Instagram. If you’re unsure what to shoot this summer, photographing trees can be a deeply rewarding experience that reconnects you with nature. Each tree, with its unique shape, texture, and interplay of light and shadow, tells a story of resilience and growth. As you immerse yourself in the world of tree photography, find joy in the details—the rustling leaves, the interplay of sunlight and shade, and the subtle power of a solitary tree against a dramatic sky. Find more inspiration from the photographers below and make sure you give their accounts a follow. Tag your posts on Instagram with #SonyAlpha for your chance to be featured.
This week we're turning our lens upward at trees from around the world, as captured by a group of talented nature and landscape photographers on Instagram.
Anthony Castro – @anthonys.adventure
Creator and Sony Alpha Ambassador Anthony Castro captures splashy and unique images throughout his home of Hawaii. Who doesn’t love a palm tree in paradise? He took the shot below with the Sony Alpha 7R V and Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master II, and we can practically feel the sea breeze coming from it. Follow him for more beach scenes from the Aloha State.
Andy Best – @Andy_Best
Andy Best is a nature photographer and Sony Alpha Ambassador. He is drawn to nature and capturing those larger-than-life landscapes that make you hardly believe these views really exist out in the natural world. He took this shot below in the Redwoods back in 2015 using his Sony Alpha 7R II and Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master and it remains one of our favorite shots from one of his favorite places.
Taylor Rees – @taylorfreesolo
Sony Artisan Taylor Rees is an adventure filmmaker and photographer who travels to different parts of the world telling stories she finds important. Her Instagram often features photos with thoughtful captions, like in her post below of a beautiful tree from last summer. With it she includes a quote from author Linda Hogan: “There are ways in, journeys to the center of life, through time; through air, matter, dream and thought. The ways are not always mapped or charted, but sometimes being lost, if there is such a thing, is the sweetest place to be. Always, in this search, a person might find that she is already there, at the center of the world. It may be a broken world, but it is glorious nonetheless.”
Nate Luebbe – @nateinthewild
Travel and adventure photographer Nate Luebbe is motivated by the challenge of getting out and experiencing the world. The Sony Alpha Ambassador has plenty of photos of trees and forests, but you have to see his post below featuring the ancient bald cypress trees found in the enchanted cypress swamps, which he calls one of the most otherworldly and beautiful places he’s ever seen. Check out his workshop in the fall if you want to venture to see the ancient trees as well, and view more of his workshop opportunities here.
Lizzy Gadd – @elizabethgadd
While perhaps more fine art/self-portrait than tree photography, we couldn’t not include this stunning image from Sony Alpha Ambassador Lizzy Gadd. Her self-portraits never fail to impress, as they incorporate nature and show its important connection to humanity. Years ago she captured this shot, one of her all-time favorites, with her Sony Alpha 7R III and Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master in Scotland. “When I first saw this magical little tree growing out of a cliff in Scotland, I immediately imagined a scene depicting Mother Nature’s caring hand, allowing the earth to blossom and grow. I used the green dress to match myself to nature as closely as possible - a colour that I find represents a calm, caring presence.” This only scratches the surface of the incredible trees she has included in her self-portrait imagery – make sure you check out her account to see how many others you can spot.
Michael Hollender – @mrhollender
Michael Hollender is a NYC-based travel, landscape and astro-photographer and a member of the Sony Alpha Ambassador. His love of photography, long exposure and the outdoors has brought him to 54 different National Parks, where he’s captured many different kinds of trees. Below he brings you images of the southern live oak from Cumberland Island. Follow him to see all of the other places he’s been to and the cool trees he’s captured! Read more about the photo kit he takes on his adventures in What’s In My Bag: 2 Primes & 2 Zooms For Travel, Landscape, Astro & More.
Forrest J Funk – @funkdrone
Forrest J Funk is nature and landscape photographer based in Southern California. He captured the first shot in the photo below with the Sony Alpha 7R IV and Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master for the foreground and the Sony 20mm f/1.8 G for the sky. “This photo is a composite. I took the blue hour shot of the Methuselah tree, which is a Great Basin bristlecone pine, at Inyo National Forest. It’s long been considered as Earth’s oldest living thing. This tree is said to be over 4,800yrs old. I removed the blue hour sky and then blended the Milky Way photo with the tree/foreground.”
Felgra Yogatama – @felgra_photography
Felgra Yogatama is a professional travel and landscape photographer. He captures colorful landscapes and star-filled astroscapes around the world. We love this stunning sunset shot he took of the dancing mangrove trees in Sumba below with his Sony Alpha 7 IV and Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master. Follow him for more awe-inspiring imagery of some of the most beautiful scenes all over the globe.