A trip to the Galapagos Islands, no matter how or when, is an incredible experience and I highly recommend you go if you have the chance. While the abundance and variety of wildlife is absolutely stunning, the truth is that the animals are just some of the many subjects you'll have the opportunity to photograph. The harsh landscapes, the human element, vibrant blue waters, white sand beaches, underwater sea life, dramatic Read More
Wild Mustangs of the Outer Banks, North Carolina
Welcome to the Outer Banks, a 130-mile stretch of barrier islands off the coast of North Carolina. The beaches of Corolla here are home to one of the last remaining herds of Spanish Colonial Mustangs where they roam free in what is basically their 7,500-acre sanctuary. I joined a tour with Wild Horse Adventure Tours because they had been voted the #1 Tour Company in America by TripAdvisor and they invited me! They believe Read More
Dramatic Skies in Hanalei Valley, Kauai
Our beloved "Garden Isle" would not be the lush and tropical island we know, were it not for it's heavy rainfall. The north shore of Kauai sees an average of 250 inches of rain per year which is over half of the recorded annual rainfall in the wettest place on earth (Mawsynram, India which sees 467 inches of rainfall per year). On a recent visit to Kauai I joined a small group with Kauai Photo Tours that began in the east Read More
Tips for Photographing Cinque Terre, Italy
Benjamin Mourot is a french photographer who has captured fantastic and unique images along the rugged Italian Riviera. "The Five Lands" or Cinque Terre as it's known around the world, is comprised of five coastal villages in the Liguria region which is on many travelers bucket lists. Below Benjamin answers some questions and shares his advice about the most difficult aspects of landscape photography at Cinque Terre and the Read More
Spring on California’s Blossom Trail
I recently visited the San Joaquin Valley in Central California (near Fresno) to photograph the hundreds of acres dedicated to fruit orchards known as "The Blossom Trail". Other than a small pack of adorable little 'watch dogs', the only company I had was the chirping birds and industrious bees. It was one of the prettiest mornings I can remember... the fragrance of honey in the air and flower petals covering the floor. Not to Read More
Embracing Flaws: Film Photography in France
I had traveled 7 countries and 8 US states having shot about a dozen rolls of 120 film with my Holga camera, a lightweight plastic film camera from the 1980s. The whole idea of film photography with a Holga is what some people call a "low-fidelity aesthetic" where flaws such as light leaks, blurry edges and other distortions are the norm. Well, if flaws are what you seek, then I have a doozy for you. When I got home Read More
Featured Artist: Photographer Brian Griffin
Young minds are fresh with curiosity and a point of view that can be fascinating. On a recent trip to Chicago I came across a collection of photographic works like I'd never seen before. Photographer Brian Griffin has re-imagined the basic concepts of exposing a film negative which he has agreed to share here. He is a recent graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago with a Bachelor Degree in Fine Arts, Concentration in Read More
Sea of Sacred Lotus Flowers in Los Angeles
I recently visited the lotus flowers at Echo Park Lake in Los Angeles, a place I have happy memories of as a kid. For those of us who love flowers this is a bit of a dream come true, especially in such an accessible and non-exotic location. The flowers are so beautiful, it's a bit surreal. Hundreds of blooms in white, pink and yellow frame your view of the lake in every direction with ducks and paddle boats providing that Read More
Vintage Cars at Greystone Mansion, Beverly Hills
Always on the lookout for unique things to do in Los Angeles, I jumped at the chance to attend an afternoon at the Greystone Mansion's Concours d'Elegance. I'm not specifically a car person, but the stunning colors and curves of the collection showcased this year got me very excited. Weird, I know. Located at the Greystone Estate in Beverly Hills, the annual Concours d'Elegance continues to be one of the most exclusive Read More
Parisian Moments
Recently I had the opportunity to spend a couple of weeks in Paris taking photographs that capture some of the timeless, iconic settings that make Parisian life so dreamy. For only a short period of time, a small collection of my Paris photographs will be available for purchase in the Etsy shop "Parisian Moments" (an online marketplace) owned by one of the top selling photographers on Etsy. Every piece of work is printed Read More
Sunset over Mountains at Lake Arrowhead
Camera: Sony NEX-3N Iso: 200 Focal Length: 28mm Aperture: f/6 Exposure Time: 1/20 On the route between Los Angeles and Lake Arrowhead, along the CA-18 Highway, you'll have several chances to soak up the sweeping vistas of San Bernardino National Forest. As I watched the fiery sun fall below the horizon, "blue hour" lasted no more than five minutes, casting a moody blue light over the mountains. It was an appropriate end Read More
Adventure Travel and Photography in Nepal
While this scheduled post was prepared before recent earthquakes in Nepal, I thought you should see with your own eyes some of the beauty of this region and it's people. Our hearts go out to the families and loved ones of those effected. Today we celebrate their people and culture, their guides, and the incredibly breathtaking piece of this planet they share with visitors from across the world. Intense and harsh landscapes, Read More
Chicago’s Stunning Night Skyline
Hi Friends! I've recently returned from Chicago where my nephew graduated from college (!). Together we went on a photography excursion to capture the beauty of the city at night. It's really the most stunning skyline I've ever seen. We had a lot of fun running around getting shots from the beach, bouncing bridges, rooftop bars, and the 100-story Hancock Building. Did you know that at night little bunny rabbits run Read More
Tiptoe Through the Tulips
This spring I made it to the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival in Washington state, a must-see experience for anyone who loves nature. If you are doing a road trip in April, make sure this is on your list! Important note to Vancouver residents: it's only a 2 hour drive from Vancouver and is well worth the trip. Keep reading, because this isn't just a springtime getaway. I arrived there on a Friday afternoon in mid April (zero Read More
Sharing the Love
Hi friends! I want to wish you a lovely Valentines Day and please enjoy these beautiful, vibrant roses that I put together just for you. I hope you feel a sense of love in your life, and that you have the chance to share love with those you care about most. Thank you for your support of my blog and I hope that you continue to find things here which inspire and help you plan your travels! ♥ Read More
Wildlife Photography at the Zoo
I recently got my hands on some new lenses (50mm prime + 300mm telephoto zoom) and I wanted to try them out at the LA Zoo. The reason is simple: I love animals and I'm working on improving my wildlife photography. The timing turned out to be perfect. Just three days earlier one of the female hippos gave birth to an adorable baby. The pair cuddled while the papa stayed close (see photo below). Check out my photos and I'd Read More
Native American Culture at an Indian Pow Wow
I recently had the pleasure of experiencing Native American culture firsthand at a dance and feather-filled pow wow. This type of cultural celebration is something I love to see on my travels and share. Native Americans from the Band of Paiutes in Nevada, Utah, Canada and their guests gathered for the 25th annual Snow Mountain Indian Pow Wow in Las Vegas, Nevada. They came together to join in cultural song and dance and Read More
Rare & Vibrant Sea Life in Bali
My friend Jason left Los Angeles several years ago looking for the ultimate island lifestyle. He became a professional diving instructor in the Philippines and travels in search of the best diving the South Pacific has to offer. He found a real hidden gem in north-eastern Bali, a place called Amed. To this day, Jason is the happiest person I know. Once in a while I enjoy a peek into his world, so I thought you might, Read More
Chicago River and Lake Michigan Tour
The Chicago skyline, in my opinion, is the prettiest in the US. Whether you've been to Chicago or not, seeing the city from Lake Michigan is the one thing you should definitely do. Wendella is one of the only companies that do a combined tour of the Chicago River and Lake Michigan. Don't get jipped and take a cruise that only takes you on the river! Wendella's tour lasts 90 minutes and I found it to be informative, Read More
Another Peek – Travels with my Holga Camera
I've continued to scan negatives from my two years of traveling with my Holga Camera. This shot is from my favorite town in France, Collioure, which you most certainly will be seeing more of. Read More