Every photographer who visits Manali ends up with the same shots. Hadimba Temple with tourists photobombing. Solang Valley is crowded with adventure tourists. Mall Road packed with selfie sticks. We know those spots are beautiful. But they're also photographed to death.
At Travel Coffee, we've spent years scouting locations most photographers never discover.
From hidden meadows where local shepherds graze their flocks to ancient villages where time seems to have stopped, we covered it all. These are the spots that make your Manali photoshoot portfolio stand out.
For you, we reveal the best locations for photoshoots that locals actually use. No tourist crowds. No photobombers, and only pure, untouched Himalayan beauty…purrrfect for your next photoshoot in Manali .
Just 1.8 kilometres from Mall Road, Chichoga feels worlds away. Traditional Himachali houses with intricate wood carvings. Apple orchards that bloom white and pink in spring. Views of Pir Panjal Range that most tourists never see.
The village stays empty most days. You'll get uninterrupted shots of authentic mountain life. Morning light here is magical, filtering through deodar trees onto traditional slate-roofed houses.
Thirty-two kilometres from Manali, Jana Waterfall hides in dense pine forest. The trek takes about an hour through woods where sunlight barely reaches the ground. The waterfall itself cascades down moss-covered rocks into a crystal-clear pool.
The forest setting creates dramatic lighting. Afternoon sun creates light beams through trees. The sound of water adds atmosphere to video shoots.
Best for: Nature photography, adventure shoots
Ideal season: May to October
Hallan Valley is what Manali looked like before tourism. Rolling meadows. Traditional villages. Zero commercial development. Located about 15 kilometres from town, it's far enough to keep crowds away.
The valley opens up with 360-degree mountain views. Wildflowers carpet the meadows in summer. Winter brings pristine snow with nobody's footprints but yours.
Best for: Landscape photography, pre-wedding shoots
This natural cave near Prini Village connects to Hindu mythology. Legend says Arjuna meditated here. The cave sits by a gushing stream surrounded by greenery.
The location offers dramatic contrast. Dark cave opening against bright landscape. Flowing water adds motion to compositions. The mystical atmosphere works beautifully for conceptual shoots.
This natural spring on Manali-Keylong Road stays surprisingly empty. Crystal-clear water reflects surrounding deodar trees. Early morning mist adds ethereal quality.
The reflection shots here rival anything from famous lakes. Fewer tourists mean you can take your time getting compositions right.
Gulaba lies between Manali and Rohtang. Most people rush past on their way to the pass. Big mistake. Spring brings wildflowers covering entire meadows. Dhauladhar Range provides dramatic backdrop.
The color contrast between flowers and snow peaks is stunning. Wide open spaces allow multiple composition options.
Sethan sits at 2,700 metres, high enough for reliable snow but low enough to stay accessible. The village clings to the mountainside with views stretching forever. Winter transforms it into a snow wonderland.
Traditional houses buried in snow. Smoke rising from chimneys against white landscape. Shepherds leading flocks through snow. It's photographic gold.
Best for: Winter photography, snow shots
This high-altitude meadow near Sethan sees maybe 20 visitors monthly. The trek takes 2-3 hours through forest opening into expansive grassland. Shepherd huts dot the landscape.
Perfect for Manali couple photoshoot wanting isolation. No crowds. No noise. Just mountains, meadows, and silence.
Everyone photographs Old Manali's main cafes. Almost nobody explores the back lanes. Traditional homes with colorful gardens. Elderly locals spinning prayer wheels. Apple trees heavy with fruit.
These lanes offer authentic moments. Real life, not tourist performances. The golden light in the evening transforms ordinary scenes into magic.
Best for: Street photography, and particularly candid shots
Hampta Village, starting point for Hampta Pass trek, deserves attention. Stone and wood houses following centuries-old design. Women in traditional dress working in fields. Life unchanged for generations.
The architecture provides character unavailable in modern Manali. Terraced fields create leading lines. Mountains frame every composition.
Best for: Cultural photography, architecture
Everyone stops at Solang's main area. Drive 3 kilometres further. Suddenly, you're alone. Same mountains, same views, zero crowd.
The far meadows offer unobstructed landscape shots. Cable car looks tiny in distance, showing scale. Streams wind through grass creating foreground interest.
Most photographers stop at the main Jogini Falls viewpoint. Continue trekking 20 minutes higher. You'll find smaller cascades with zero tourists.
The upper section has pools perfect for reflection shots. Fewer people mean you can experiment with long exposures without someone walking through the frame.
Goshal sits 8 kilometres from Manali on a quiet back road. The village maintains a traditional lifestyle. Women work on traditional looms. Men tend apple orchards. Nobody's rushing anywhere.
Authentic cultural shots happen naturally here. People are friendly but not performing for cameras. Real moments, real life.
Best for: Documentary photography, portraits
The trail to Bhrigu Lake passes through stunning meadows at 3,300 metres. You don't need to reach the lake for great shots. The meadows alone justify the trek.
Wildflowers. Grazing horses. Mountain peaks all around. The altitude gives clarity to light you won't find lower down.
Best for: Nature photography, trekking shots
While everyone photographs Beas from Mall Road or Old Manali, the river's quiet backwaters near Aleo village offer peaceful alternatives. Calm water, no tourists, perfect reflections.
Early morning mist rises from the water surface. Birds feed in shallows. Local fishermen cast nets. These moments make powerful images.
Most offbeat locations need no special permits. Private property requires owner permission. Wildlife areas like sanctuaries need entry permits from the forest department.
Drone flying regulations changed in 2023. Register drones with DGCA. No-fly zones include military areas and wildlife sanctuaries. Check local restrictions before flying.
Remote locations mean limited help if something goes wrong.
We're photographers who became travel planners. We know the best locations for photoshoot because we've shot them ourselves. Our location scouting service saves you days of searching.
We arrange permissions, local guides familiar with shooting locations, and transportation to remote spots. Your shoot day runs smoothly while we handle logistics.
Our local network includes homestay owners who grant property access, village elders who introduce you to communities, and guides who know secret viewpoints. This access makes your Manali photoshoot unique.