Lousiana Cypress Swamp Photography Tours
Lake Dauterive Backlit Early Morning Cypress Scene
Overview
Late fall in Louisiana brings excellent photo opportunities for photo tour participants in the swamps. Featured here are two Louisiana Photo Tours timed to provide the best chance for rust-colored cypress trees and misty or foggy mornings. We visit three locations that offer access to large old-growth Bald Cypress trees growing from within the water. The tours are scheduled for the week before and the week after Thanksgiving. Louisiana boasts forty percent of North America's wetlands, and we'll visit the Atchafalaya Basin, North America's largest River swamp ecosystem. We finalize the itinerary for the tour as late as possible to ensure we are at the right place, depending upon the weather.
The tour is divided between time spent on the boat and photographing from the shore.s us to reach the prime shooting locations, primarily in the morning, weather permitting. When we photograph from the shore, we can use tripods, which allows us to use slower shutter speeds to our advantage.
The tours start at 3 p.m. on the first day and end after the last photo session on the fourth day, giving us three full days of photography.
Lake Martin
Sunset at Lake Martin
Lake Martin, nestled in the heart of Louisiana's Acadiana region, offers a photographer's paradise with its enchanting cypress swamps. Towering cypress trees, draped in Spanish moss, rise dramatically from the still waters, creating a surreal, almost otherworldly atmosphere. The lake is teeming with wildlife, from egrets and herons to alligators, offering endless opportunities for capturing the vibrant biodiversity of the region.
Photographing Lake Martin presents unique challenges and rewards. Early mornings are ideal, as the soft light filters through the moss, creating stunning reflections on the water's surface. The interplay of light and shadow can turn a simple scene into a masterpiece. A telephoto lens helps isolate subjects like birds perched on the cypress knees, while a wide-angle lens captures the grand sweep of the swamp.
Lake Martin Cypress Swamp after Sunset
Henderson Swamp
Fall Color in the Big Cypress -Henderson Swamp
Henderson Swamp, located along the Atchafalaya Basin in Louisiana, is a breathtaking haven for photographers seeking to capture the untamed beauty of the state's iconic wetlands. This expansive swamp features dense groves of cypress and tupelo trees, their trunks emerging dramatically from the water, while Spanish moss sways gently in the humid breeze. The atmosphere is serene yet wild, offering a glimpse into a world where nature reigns supreme.
Photographing Henderson Swamp is an adventure in itself. The best time to capture its beauty is during the golden hours, when the warm light casts an ethereal glow over the water and foliage. For dramatic compositions, aim to include the interplay between the cypress trees and their mirror-like reflections. Wildlife is abundant here, with ospreys, ibises, and even bald eagles making regular appearances, providing opportunities for dynamic shots of the swamp’s vibrant ecosystem.
Lake Dauterive and Lake Fausse Pointe
Sunrise Lake Dauterive
Lake Dauterive
Lake Dauterive, nestled in the heart of Louisiana's Acadiana region, is a hidden gem for photographers captivated by the raw beauty of cypress swamps. The lake’s still waters provide a perfect canvas for the striking reflections of cypress trees cloaked in Spanish moss, creating a scene that feels both serene and mysterious. The changing light throughout the day transforms the landscape, offering endless opportunities to capture its mood and character. Many of my best photographs here were in heavy fog or when we experienced mist on the water on cold mornings.
Photographing Lake Dauterive rewards those who embrace its unique challenges. Early mornings often bring a soft mist that shrouds the trees in an ethereal veil, while the golden hour bathes the swamp in warm, glowing light. Photographing the trees is done by boat only.
Lake Fausi Pointe
Lake Fausse Pointe, a sprawling jewel of Louisiana’s Atchafalaya Basin, offers an unparalleled experience for photographers drawn to the captivating beauty of cypress swamps. Interconnected with the smaller Lake Dauterive, this expansive waterway showcases a rich tapestry of towering cypress trees, their moss-draped branches creating a dramatic and timeless landscape. The lake’s vastness and diverse scenery provide endless possibilities for stunning compositions, from quiet, reflective waters to dynamic shots of wildlife in motion.
These two lakes are the best places in Louisiana to photograph Old-Growth Cypress. Most of Lake Dauterive is on state-owned land, and Fausi Pointe is a Louisiana State Park.