This is a short but practical list of apps that support my work as a travel photographer, especially when I work on the move, in unfamiliar locations, or under time pressure. In addition, these apps help streamline everyday logistics, navigation, research, communication, and problem-solving while traveling.
This isn’t a list of standard photo editing apps, weather apps, or obvious tools like Instagram or Lightroom. Instead, these are utility apps that quietly make professional travel photography more efficient.
Some apps are free, while others require payment. Also, some work only on Android, and others are available on both Android and Apple iOS.
There are many more useful apps for travel photographers, and I would love it if you shared your own recommendations. For example, if you also fly a drone, be sure to check out my list of useful apps for drone photographers.
For now, these are the best apps I currently have installed on my smartphone and rely on while working abroad.
⚠️ Please note: the featured image of this post is an AI-generated visual and does not depict a real photograph or event.
SUN SURVEYOR
Available for both Android and Apple iOS, Sun Surveyor is one of the best apps for planning sunrise, golden hour, or twilight shots. By using this app, you can ensure your subject appears in the best natural light.
Thanks to its Live Camera View and Interactive Map, you can use your phone’s camera or overlay the view on Google Street View for other locations.
Functions
View augmented reality projections of sun and moon paths
Pinpoint when the sun or moon reaches a specific location in the sky
Plan for golden hour, blue hour, and every sunrise, sunset, moonrise, and moonset
Prepare night photography shots with Milky Way and star trail features
A feature-limited free version exists, but I recommend purchasing the pro edition for professional use.
PHOTO PILLS
PhotoPills is a powerful photography planning app. Moreover, it helps visualize and schedule shots of the sun, moon, Milky Way, and stars. The app includes augmented reality, celestial calendars, and location planning tools.
It’s especially popular for astrophotography and night photography. Also, it offers calculators for depth of field (DoF), field of view (FoV), and time-lapse intervals, making it useful for both beginners and professionals.
PHOTOGRAPHER'S COMPANION
Photographer's Companion is a free app that allows you to calculate settings for your ideal shot. In addition, it provides tools to manage exposure alternatives, ND filters, long exposures, depth of field, hyperfocal distance, and simulated bokeh.
You can also track sunrise, sunset, golden hours, blue hours, and moon phases for the day.
EASY RELEASE PRO
Easy Release Pro is essential for travel photographers who need model releases. A model release provides proof that your subject permits you to sell their images. Therefore, this app protects you from legal issues when using images commercially.
Although it costs $9.99 USD/EUR, the app offers powerful functions:
Attach model photos to forms
Store releases in a cloud-based database accessible from any device
Automatically save PDF and JPG copies to cloud storage
Support for 17 contract languages and 7 UI localizations
Additionally, major stock agencies such as Getty Images, iStockPhoto, Shutterstock, and Alamy accept its release forms.
MY GEAR VAULT
My GearVault is a free app designed to track all your photographic equipment. It allows you to store receipts, purchase dates, serial numbers, and other details.
The app helps protect your gear. For example, if your camera is stolen, tapping the “stolen” button adds your serial number to a global stolen database. Also, it alerts you if someone attempts to claim your lens.
Currently, full insurance coverage is only available to U.S. residents.
LIGHT POLLUTION MAP
This app is primarily for night photography. It allows you to find dark sites unaffected by light pollution, ideal for star gazing, Milky Way, or other night shots.
Additional features include:
Integrated cloud cover map and temperature indicators
Aurora Borealis overlay for optimal Northern Lights viewing
Live Aurora webcams from around the world
Night sky calendar and moon position tool
FOTO TOOL
FotoTool is a must-have app for professional photographers. Furthermore, it provides:
A database of over 3,800 cameras
Flash parameters and values
Star trail calculations
Exposure value (EV) and long exposure calculations
Timelapse and night shot calculators
Moon phase calendar, sunrise/sunset planner, and ND filter tools
Overall, it consolidates many essential calculations for travel photographers in one app.
PHOTOHOUND
MY AURORA FORECAST
This free app helps plan Northern Lights photography with confidence. It combines real-time space weather data with location-based forecasts to identify ideal viewing conditions.
Key features:
Live KP index and solar activity
Aurora probability by location
Cloud cover and weather context
Short-term and multi-day forecasts
Alerts for improved conditions
As a result, you can plan your aurora-chasing nights efficiently, whether you’re a veteran or a first-time viewer.