On his website, Studer describes that there is a very deep and meaningful reason behind the photo series and short film.

My intention with ‘Space to Roam’ was not to necessarily focus on the astronaut, but rather to showcase the otherworldly scenery found in Southwestern America’s public lands in hopes of protecting them.
Just a couple days ago, an ex oil & gas lobbyist was appointed to lead the US Interior Department…a huge threat to America’s public lands. I strongly feel like we need to preserve them for future generations to experience.

While Studer has chosen not to disclose the locations used in the production with ‘astronaut’ Kyle Hague, delicate landscapes like this are sprinkled in the American Southwest, which makes Studer’s mission for trying to help preserve them an important one. With the recent downsizing of Bear’s Ears National Monument, there is no more crucial time to speak up about the importance of your public lands then now.

Follow Andrew Studer on his website, Instagram and Facebook. 

The post Astronaut Photo Series Aims To Help Preserve The American Southwest’s Otherwordly Landscapes appeared first on Resource Travel.

Many who come to Stanley for the first time during these long summer days wonder how such a gem could only have a population of 62 residents, as the road sign leading into town claims. While warm and comfortable in the summer months, Stanley does an about-face in the darker winter days. Average daily high temperature in January? 26 degrees Fahrenheit. Average nightly low? -2 Fahrenheit.

So why would I leave the comfortable confines of my downtown Boise apartment in the dead of winter to make the short two and a half hour drive to one of the coldest places in the Pacific Northwest? Romance my friends, romance. Braving this frigid air in the name of romance wasn’t what I was expecting when I wrote about the 11 reasons why I moved to Idaho.

I will admit that I usually run the other way when I see the words ‘All Inclusive’ when booking my travel plans. On the road, I like to live moment to moment, willing to abandon ideas and plans as the adventure plays out, and usually on a shoestring budget. But when I saw the ad for the Stanley High Country Inn’s Winter Romantic Getaway, I was intrigued. My partner, Laura, had recently put in long days studying to get her massage therapy license, on top of her almost nightly job in a restaurant. So when she passed her exam, I thought a quick weekend getaway would be a nice way to celebrate, and those words, ‘All-Inclusive’ and ‘Stanley’ rang in my head. I quickly called and reserved a room, the ‘Ace of Diamonds’ suite, and just like that, our mid-winter romantic weekend to Stanley, Idaho was booked. But would braving some chilly nights be worth it?

Yes, yes, and yes. We had one of the most fun, adventure-filled and cozy weekends imaginable. Would I recommend it? Highly. Just be aware of where you are visiting (let’s talk about layers, people!) and enjoy a romantic winter weekend in Stanley, Idaho. Still need to be convinced? Here are 7 reasons why you should book a romantic, all-inclusive winter weekend at Stanley High Country Inn with some pretty photos to prove it.

There is no denying it. Whether it is 90 degrees or -15 degrees, the Sawtooth Mountains are some of the most photogenic in the west. And you won’t have to go far to see them, as there is no better view of these mighty mountains than from smack in the middle of town. But to get an even better view, and with some beautiful fences in the foreground, head up the hill to Stanley Pioneer Park.

Stanley isn’t a place to sleep in, however. The rising sun hits the Sawtooths, casting a beautiful early morning light on the snow covered peaks. And even though you won’t get light on the mountains at sunset from town, the winter sky often lights up in bright oranges, pinks and purples as the sun hits the horizon.

To get a view of the back of the Sawtooths with some late afternoon light, drive five miles west on Highway 21 to the hill just behind the turn off for Stanley Lake.

Idaho has the most usable hot springs in the United States, with 130 being deemed ‘soakable’ out of the 340 that dot the state’s landscape. And some of the best are in the Stanley region. If searching for primitive hot springs in freezing cold conditions along the Salmon River isn’t your thing, reserve the hot spring cabin behind the Mountain Village Resort for a hot soak with an unobstructed view of the Sawtooths.

Even though winters in Stanley are relatively empty, the hot springs are still popular with day trippers from Boise, so to find solitude, early morning soaks with a cup of coffee is a great way to guarantee that you will have the tub all to yourselves. And if you are really brave, there is no better place in Idaho to enjoy an adult beverage while stargazing. Just be aware, the temperature may be below zero degrees at night, which is fine when you are in the hot spring, but the wet walk back to the car may be a bit painful.

For years, Stanley has been my heaven on earth, so if you had told me that my favorite moments from this trip would have been spent indoors, I would have laughed it off. But not the case during our stay at the Stanley High Country Inn, thanks to the mouth watering meals and wonderful service from executive chef TJ Degnan and his partner and restaurant manager Maggie Staas. As part of the all-inclusive stay, guests are treated to welcome appetizers on Thursday and a full dinner on Friday and Saturday nights. Oh, but did I mention three days worth of brunch as well? The meals were some of the best I have ever had, and I surely did not expect to get that in the dead of winter in the ghost town of Stanley. Even though we were the only guests, the level of care and detail that Degnan put into his creative dishes was extraordinary. Honestly, as amazing as the adventure-filled weekend was, I would have been perfectly happy eating everything TJ and Maggie could throw at us while sitting around the warm and inviting dining room fireplace.

While Stanley is surrounded by incredible mountains, none of the peaks are ski-able. There is no ski resort here, so one way to get out and enjoy some of the winter sun is to rent some snowmobiles from Todd, the friendly and knowledgeable owner of Sawtooth Traxx and get lost on the trails that take you to some of the frozen over lakes in the valley. We opted for an afternoon excursion to Redfish Lake Lodge, normally bustling with lake loving boaters during the summer. During the winter however, the road to the lake is closed and only accessible via snowmobile, snowshoe, or cross country skiing. With not a cloud in the sky and the sun shining bright, there was a number of people on the trail who opted to warm up their cold muscles via a snow shoe hike. While the temperatures were below freezing, you wouldn’t have known it from the smiles that graced the faces of the Saturday afternoon adventure hounds.

Once we arrived to the lodge, we walked down the pier and enjoyed and afternoon snack as we overlooked the frozen lake. With not a soul around, we listened to the silence as the afternoon sun began to disappear behind the Sawtooths. We headed back to town, and the four-hour adventure had us wishing we had booked the sleds for the entire day.

By the time Saturday afternoon had rolled around, the frigid air hardly seemed to bother us anymore, and we were anxious to stay outside in this winter wonderland for as long as possible. Luckily for us, the team at Stanley High Country Inn had two fat bikes for us to take out for a blue hour ride. Blue hour (the hour after sunset, which literally casts a blue hue in the sky) is maybe my favorite time in Stanley. And it’s even better in winter, as the snow shines bright as dusk descends. We rode our bikes up a small hill on Wall Street until we reached Stanley Pioneer Park and the snowmobile track entrance. We rode along the fence until we had wide open views of the Sawtooths as we peddled on the well groomed snow. There is something beautifully eerie about being on this track during blue hour. We zoned out and enjoyed the calmness, which lasted minutes before two friendly snowmobile riders zoomed past, encouraging us to race them out to the lake. The realist in me declined, but Laura doesn’t like to lose. So she gave it her best shot, until being left in the dusty snow about 7 seconds after the race started.

As I mentioned, Laura just started working as a massage therapist, so when I heard there was a well known masseuse in Stanley, even through the winter, I thought it would be nice to put her on the massage table for a change. And of course, while I was at it, I couldn’t say no to wrapping up a busy, adventurous weekend without getting one myself. And what a way to end the weekend it was!

Pamela “Noeau” Day trained and lived in Hawaii, so her massages all have hints of the famous Lomilomi style of long, flowing strokes. We felt as if we were in a different universe as Day did her magic. We left in a state of euphoria, and we both agreed that Day gave us one of the best, if not THE best massage both of us had ever had. Amazing how this massage wizard is living a quiet mountain life in the frosty Sawtooth mountains. Check out the winter spa menu on the Meadow Creek Inn website and make sure to treat yourself before you finish your romantic getaway to Stanley.

There are many reasons to love Stanley, Idaho. But perhaps my favorite is the quiet solitude that isn’t hard to find, even in the summer months. But if you want to disconnect and spend a romantic weekend alone with your partner, you will be hard pressed to find a better time or place than winter in Stanley, Idaho. As far as I could tell, we were the only non-locals in town that weekend, and given that there aren’t many locals either, Stanley can feel like a ghost town at times, which is more than welcomed when you live an often crazy and chaotic ‘normal’ life.

Life in Stanley, Idaho is different. Life in Stanley, Idaho in the dead of winter is very different. It isn’t for everyone. But if you are looking for a quiet weekend with your partner full of amazing food, beautiful scenery, a little bit of adventure and a lot of smiles, then spending a romantic getaway at the Stanley High Country Inn is just what you both need.

Follow Michael Bonocore on Instagram, Facebook and his website.
Follow Stanley High Country Inn on their Instagram, Facebook and their website.

The post 7 Reasons to Embrace the Cold for a Romantic Getaway in Stanley, Idaho appeared first on Resource Travel.

They go by many different names: thermal pools, mineral springs, spas, baths, hot springs — or my personal favorite — Mother Nature’s jacuzzi. These steamy soaks are typically a product of geothermal heat or volcanic zones, which means they’re found in some of the most geologically diverse and beautiful terrains in the world. Many of us are familiar with well-known hot spring locations like Iceland’s Blue Lagoon or Pamukkale in Turkey, but those closer to home often fly under the radar. What you likely didn’t know is that the U.S. boasts 1,661 known hot springs, most of which are located in the western part of the country.

Hot Creek Geological Site, Mammoth Lakes, United States. Photo by Cody Saunders

Many of these springs are too hot to soak in, but even after you subtract those from the list, there’s still a wealth of steamy pools that are within road trip distance from most major cities across the Pacific Northwest, Colorado Rockies and the Southwest. Some are tucked away in the high desert while others are nestled in the dense forest, only accessible by hiking in. So, that’s where this guide to natural hot springs that are off-the-beaten-path comes in. Covering 71 springs in total, this outlines hot springs that have been left mostly au naturel — because there’s really no better way to “soak up” the magic of nature than to soak in it.

To help make your hot spring quest easier, this guide covers all the important information you need to know like location  number of pools, type of access and whether or not each spring is clothing optional. Yes, at some, you can even leave your suit at home! Always remember to leave the springs and their surrounding areas in the state that you found them, or if possible in even better condition than when you found them by picking up trash. Pack out what you pack and leave no trace to help preserve these natural gems for generations to come.

The following maps and locations were provided by CarRentals.com

Arizona

Arizona is known for some of the most spectacular sites in the U.S. — think Grand Canyon National Park, the Kofa Wildlife Refuge, Antelope Canyon and Havasupai Falls, but did you know that it’s also home to a handful of off-the-grid thermal springs? Most of these aren’t an easy task to reach, but they’re well worth the hike. You can enjoy hot springs in Arizona that sit perched alongside a river, up above the Roosevelt Damn or tucked away inside colorful canyon walls.

California

The golden state is home to some of the most diverse terrain in the U.S. that will meet the needs of any outdoor enthusiast. From national parks and beach-side camping, to sand dunes and surf to snow accessibility, it might actually be true when Californians say they have it all. But, did you know it also boasts over 300 hot springs? Since hot springs in California span the length and width of the state, these natural gems are a short road trip away from most major cities.

Colorado

Colorado is internationally renowned for its breathtaking mountain scenery and powdery slopes. Village towns like Vail, Breckenridge, Aspen, and Telluride are just a few ski resorts that have put this state on every winter lover’s radar. And just like we hoped, where there are snow-covered slopes, there are hot springs. Colorado is dotted with incredible thermal waters from natural rock pools to resorts surrounded by evergreens. Take a break from a long day of playing in the mountains to dip into some of nature’s best.

Idaho

For people who’ve never been to Idaho, potatoes might come to mind when they think of this state. This, among other misconceptions, is what helps make Idaho a hidden gem. While farming is prevalent, its geographic diversity and low population density, mean that Idaho is, in many ways, defined by its landscapes. The snow-capped Sawtooth Mountains, millions of acres of protected forest, whitewater rivers and volcanic plains are just a few highlights. Unique geological location also means there is an abundance of Idaho hot springs to enjoy — 232 to be exact, and unlike many other states, almost all of them are safe to take a dip in. There’s really no better way to “soak up” this state’s magic than to soak in it.

Just another picture perfect Idaho hot spring. Photo by Michael Bonocore

Nevada

Nevada is often defined by its vast expanses of desert, vivid nightlife, 24-hour casinos, and entertainment industry. On the flip side, it makes for some of the best road trips to explore its awe-inspiring landscape and eye-opening destinations, in particular, natural springs, which are sprinkled all over the rich geothermal areas of the state. While some Nevada hot springs are extreme enough to foster a thriving geothermal energy industry, others have been tapped into to create remote and relaxing springs that will leave you craving for more.

Oregon

Often considered one of America’s best outdoor playgrounds, Oregon is home to glacier-clad volcanoes, vibrant high deserts and icy rivers that keep fisherman, backpackers and whitewater kayakers coming back for more. However, you don’t have to be an outdoor junky to appreciate this state’s natural beauty.

For those simply looking for a breath of fresh air with a stunning backdrop, Oregon delivers. A mix of climates means that you can bask in a steaming pool that sits perched above an icy river, under a canopy of pine trees or enjoy the scenic backdrop of an Oregon hot spring in the open plains.

Utah

Utah has no shortage of amazing outdoor activities and is commonly known for its multi-day adventures along remote byways, like the “Mighty Five” national parks. But there’s more to this state than sweeping vistas, arches, alcoves and epic canyons. Chances are, if you’re visiting one of these incredible sites, you’re likely near one of the many hot springs in Utah. Just remember, that while nudity is widely accepted in many thermal pools across the U.S., it’s actually illegal here. Don’t dip without your suit!

Washington

There may be fewer hot springs in Washington than most states in the Western U.S. — 30 in total — but its beautiful secluded locations and pine tree forests make up for the quantity. The Pacific Northwest is not only known for its vibrant green outdoors but also its heavy snowfall. With a white blanket covering the state of Washington during the fall and winter, there’s really no better way to defrost than by taking a hot springs road trip — just make sure you come prepared with good tires and chains.

Hot springs have been called the “fountain of youth” for their claimed anti-aging effects that mineral water can have on skin. More commonly, people visit these natural gems to experience nature in its most primitive form and soak up the incredible landscapes around them. However, that doesn’t mean they’re 100 percent safe or sanitary. Even popular springs that have been known for their consistent temperatures, can change without warning. Don’t forget that thermal springs are heated from the energy that comes within earth’s core, so you should test the water and read any warnings before jumping straight in. For many visitors, a hot springs road trip can be a way to relax sore muscles, set off on new adventures or clear away the winter blues. Use our guide to help you plan your road trip and rent a car to see some of the best and off the beaten path soaks on the western side of the U.S.

Mammoth Lakes, California. Photo By Robson Hatsukami Morgan

This version of this guide originally appeared on the CarRentals.com blog

The post 71 Natural Hot Springs To Warm Up In This Winter appeared first on Resource Travel.

While the National Forests are still protected, much like National Monuments, that protection level isn’t as impenetrable as National Park designation, as was the case when the Department of Interior slashed the protected lands in Bears Ears National Monument. 

So how does this new campaign aim to help protect the millions of acres of National Forest? According their website, the team hopes to inspire people to get out and use their National Forests and raise their voices as to how those forests are used in the future.

 

We aim to engage new, diverse voices in national forest planning and management through visually stunning content and multimedia tools for engagement that tell the story of why our forests matter in ways that people resonate with, from rivers and trails to wildfires and wilderness. 

We push industry standards to utilize technology, creativity, and the power of storytelling to break down barriers about how public lands are managed, make the connection about what our forests mean to everyone, and how they can have a say in the future of those lands they love.

Of course, with the launch of this endeavor, the team decided to show the world how beautiful the National Forests are, so they spent years returning to the rugged and remote Bridger-Teton National Forest in Wyoming. As evident in the film and photos, this National Forest is brimming with beauty, and for us solitude seekers, without the crowds of the two National Parks it lies between, Yellowstone and Grand Teton.

As always, the Pattiz brothers take us on an adventure to the most stunning pieces of wilderness in the United States. We are beyond excited to help them share this beauty as they continue to release films for ‘Your Forests. Your Future.’ and ‘More Than Just Parks.’ 

Stay tuned to Resource Travel as we share their next film in the series from Dixie National Forest in Utah.

The post See The Untamed Beauty of Wyoming’s Bridger-Teton National Forest appeared first on Resource Travel.

My original plan this past summer was to collect as much footage as normal, but to not put out a “Monsoon V” until 2019 when I had two years worth of crazy haboobs and lightning to make it truly spectacular. But the monsoon had different plans and put on a pretty dang good show in 2018, starting off with a decent dust storm on July 5th, then the best haboob chase I’ve ever had on July 9th, an epic green hail core on July 11th and finally another fantastic dust storm day on August 2nd.   Sprinkled in there…more dust storm, some at night, spectacular lightning, and tons of microbursts and stormy clouds, plus a few rotating supercells to put some icing on the cake. It was one of the best monsoon seasons I’ve chased, so I couldn’t help but get to work on Monsoon V after just one chasing season.

The first haboob of the season rolls through central Arizona, seen here along Casa Blanca road east of 347

A monster haboob approached Vekol Valley Road along Interstate 8 on July 9th

An unexpected sight in Arizona…a monster green hail core on a storm that looks more like it belongs on the central plains of the United States than it does out in the deserts.

A severe thunderstorm kicks out a bolt that lands in the mountains northeast of Willcox, AZ as seen from Highway 191

Two bolts slam into the ground near Bowie, Arizona, absolutely dwarfing the Chiricahau Mountians.

A lightning caused wildfire continues to burn as a thunderstorm moves towards it.

A gorgeous haboob crests these mountains south of Sacaton, Arizona

A huge haboob swallows not just most of Phoenix, but here in downtown Tempe

A gorgeous rainbow and downdraft move over Marana, with lightning flashing in the middle of it.

A lightning bolt lands near Castle Rock in the mountains of the Coronado National Forest

Stoic saguaro watch as lightning blasts the landscape around them.

A lightning bolt exits the clouds above and pierces the clouds capping a mountain range south of Interstate 8 in southern Arizona

A set of strong bolts rai down over the Sil Nakya community on the Tohono O’Ddham nation

A beautiful thunderstorm on the east side of the McDowell Mountains.

A stunning sunset storm out in Vicksburg, Arizona lasted for almost two hours.

The post Haboobs, Lightning, and Hail: See the Frighteningly Beautiful Arizona Monsoon appeared first on Resource Travel.

But there I was, boarding this historic vessel in McCovey Cove, situated just outside of the San Francisco Giants stadium. The friendly and knowledgeable Oakland-based crew had come here to pick us up for a perfectly timed sunset cruise along San Francisco’s Embarcadero to the Golden Gate Bridge, where we would briefly cross the bridge towards the Pacific Ocean before heading back to dock as blue hour descended on the famed city by the bay.

The late arriving ‘San Francisco Summer’ provided near perfect weather and conditions to test out Sony’s newest lens, the G Master 24mm f/1.4. A group of journalists in town to cover Sony’s #BeAlpha community event had stayed an extra day to get a hands on preview of Sony’s latest addition to their high end E-Mount lens lineup.

As a travel photojournalist, I love using a wide angle focal length. Not only does a wide angle lens capture daily life across the world in a way that makes the viewer feel as they are closer to the action, but it also forces a photojournalist to get closer and more intimate with their subjects. I have often found that my favorite travel portraits and street scenes were captured after I had started a conversation with my subjects, photographing them from up close after they felt comfortable with me. After recently spending three days studying my friend David Duchemin’s travel photography course, I have been inspired to focus on getting closer to the action on my travels. So when Sony put their just announced 24mm f/1.4 G Master  in my hands for a day, I was overjoyed. Owning two Sony cameras and depending on them to capture my travels around the world, I must have sounded like a broken record when I commented to my fellow journalists over and over that this may be my dream travel lens. The lens that forces me to be a more engaging and attentive photographer.

Of course, I own a 16-35mm lens, but being that it is Sony’s original f/4 lens and not the updated G Master 16-35mm f/2.8. My wide angle images rarely look sharp to me, so I hesitate to depend on it for a casual stroll around the many locations around the world that I visit, knowing that I won’t be able to capture fast moving street scenes and portraits that live up to the high standards my readers expect. But after using this 24mm f/1.4 G Master, I am confident that this lens will be in my daily travel bag for years to come.

With the limited amount of time that I had with the lens, I wasn’t able to put it through the use that I normally would as a travel photographer. Using this lens in a place like Chefchaouen, Morocco would have been incredible. But on this warm California day, I found myself cutting through the choppy waters of San Francisco Bay, photographing the hustle of the metropolis from the outside. I was excited to see the images appear on the Sony A7rIII LCD, and when I imported them into my Lightroom Catalog, they did not disappoint. So far, I am in love with this lens and cannot wait to take it with me on an upcoming 5 week trip to Morocco and Jordan as I lead photography workshops for The Giving Lens. Follow my Instagram to see my images using this lens starting in late October.

Editor’s Note: Sony paid for me to come to San Francisco for this event, but I was not compensated in any additional way. My opinions on this lens are my own.

For an in-depth video look at the 24mm f/1.4 G Master, check out DPReview TV video at the bottom of this article. 

The post A Sunset Cruise Around San Francisco on the ‘Floating White House’ appeared first on Resource Travel.

Adorama TV has taken us to from Canada to Europe, following some of the world’s best photographers as they give a glimpse behind the scenes of the artist’s adventures that fuel their creativity. In the latest season of Adorama TV’s ‘Through the Lens’  web series, creator and director Sal D’Alia brings the series back to the United States where an unbelievable 16 episodes were filmed. Adventure, street, landscape, and even dance are just some of the genres covered in this season. Based on the trailer and the episodes that have already come out, this may be the most diverse ‘Through the Lens’ season yet.

We were lucky enough to sit down with the featured photographers and talk about their experiences shooting their episode and what fuels their creativity.

But before you read on, check out all of this season’s episodes on the AdoramaTV YouTube Channel.

Alex Strohl

Alex Strohl has such a strong connection to nature and adventure that the Madrid born photographer moved to Montana in order to pursue his passion for capturing authentic moments in some of the most pristine wilderness in North America. And his gamble paid off. While accumulating an Instagram following of 2 million people, Strohl’s work has also been commissioned by clients such as Apple, Land Rover and Facebook.

Being a landscape and adventure photographer, you say your drive is to inspire people to just ‘get outside.’ How do you feel the big landscapes of the Northern United States, and especially your home of Montana and Glacier National Park, help you convey this inspiration?

For someone who grew up in Europe the sheer scale of the American West is mind blowing, on a daily basis. Every time I get in the car or hit the trail to go somewhere I’m blown away by how far I can see. Add that the emptiness of the landscape and you have a perfect recipe for finding inspiration.

Has the move to Montana helped shape the photographer you are today?

Leaving LA and moving out west has been one of the best decisions of my life. Being surrounded by nature and having the Rockies in our backyard is a great great feeling. It has brought a more active life of connection with the outdoors. In terms of photography I feel lucky to be able to go execute in the same day an idea or a concept I’ve had in the morning.

Do you think your career path in the outdoor/adventure photography industry would have been similar if you had stayed in France?

It would have been very different. Being based stateside has opened a lot of doors for me. You know the old saying ‘out of sight out of mind?’ Well it works both ways! Even just being on the same time zone as your clients is really helpful, it’s one more thing you have in common. Whenever I stay too long on a different time zone I start to feel out of touch. The industry in market is a lot smaller but solid work comes out of it. Some French brands like Vuarnet and Salomon are bold and willing try new things and it’s a blast working with some of these brands.

Omar Z Robles

Omar Z Roble wasn’t always a photographer. In fact, Roble can say that his journey into photography started where few others had. Roble was a mime, training under Marcel Marceau, a famed mime actor. These lessons taught Robles how to tell stories through subtle movements, which was a natural fit for when he found his passion for photographing ballet dancers in front of rugged urban environments.

In your TTL episode, you show a photo you took of the dancer with Bill Cunningham in the background. That is one of the coolest things we have ever seen. How did that moment, and that photo, inspired you since?

Thank you! I’ve always believed in mentorship and learning from the legends such as Mr. Cunningham. It was a great pleasure for me to honor him in that way even while unbeknownst to him. My question to this day is however, when will I ever be able to see the picture he took of the dancer and will I be consequently in it that photograph as well? I would be certainly the ultimate honor for me. I dream to see my picture next to his on a gallery’s wall.

With the destruction that Hurricane Maria caused, why did you feel it was important to film the TTL episode there as opposed to your current home in NYC?

As a Puerto Rican living in the diaspora, I was deeply touched and traumatized by living the tragedy away from my family who experienced it on the ground. From the day after the hurricane, I started efforts to help raise funds and set up a website called Pixels4puertorico.org where people could purchase prints of my work and other photographers who donated their work at reduced prices. All proceeds went straight into aiding efforts in the island. When Adorama approached me to film this episode, their approach was that the series was coming back to the USA and they wanted to film me photographing somewhere in the US outside of NYC. My immediate thought was to bring them to Puerto Rico, a US colony ignored by most US citizens. The hurricane made this ignorance much more visible. Many folks here in the mainland had absolutely no clue that Puerto Ricans are indeed U.S. citizens who pay federal taxes and are as entitled to aid as Texas, Florida or Louisiana. That was my thought behind bringing TTL to Puerto Rico.

Kathryn Dyer

Lifelong California resident Kathryn Dyer started an Instagram account as a way of sharing her love of nature, but it wound up becoming her creative outlet after she was diagnosed with cancer. The nature that always calmed her was becoming harder to visit as the treatments took effect, but Dyer would force herself to get outside in order to take photographs. Along with her husband Karl, Dyer’s love for nature resonated with people, leading to a large and passionate following who find her work both beautiful and inspiring.

You credit photography with helping you find your love of nature. How has that love of nature also helped you through your hardships, such as your battle with breast cancer?

I was lucky to grow up around nature, camping and boating with my family in Southern California. Both of my grandparents owned salt water boats when I was young and we did many trips to the Channel Islands. Later on, as a teenager, I spent afternoons at the beach surfing. As I grew older and took on more responsibilities I lost much of that connection.

 

In 2014 when I was diagnosed with cancer I was in shock and had trouble seeing beauty in the world. That all changed when we got a camera and I realized there was a safe world in that viewfinder that had nothing to do with cancer or fear or pain. The beauty I was able to find through that viewfinder helped me to reconnect with nature and gave me a sanctuary where I could forget about procedures and tests and survival rate.

In your episode, you talk about the lone oak tree that was one of your favorite places to photograph, as well as connect with nature. The oak tree has since fallen. Even though the loss was hard for you, what positive aspects, if any, came out of the loss of the tree?

That’s a tough one. My husband, Karl, and I had found this wonderful lone oak tree which was seemingly so strong. It was close to our house so when I was fatigued or had a long day at appointments we could go catch the sunset there. It grounded us and gave us many peaceful moments. When I started chemotherapy I went by the tree before and it looked fine, after my treatment when I went by this majestic oak had cracked in half and fallen. It was such an eerie moment. It reminded me that things aren’t always as they seem. That tree looked so strong and I thought it would be there forever but it won’t. Everything is impermanent.

You and your husband Karl have found your passion for photography together. How do you think that joint creativity has translated in your marriage?

Karl and I both joined Instagram before I was diagnosed with cancer but we were shooting with our phones. After I was sick Karl bought us a camera (yes, one to share). He said we’ll learn as we go and just enjoy what we see. He was right. We survived sharing a camera and our marriage is stronger because of all of the shared experiences we’ve had. We really enjoy working together and each contributing ideas to a project. Creating things together has made us closer as has cancer. Karl absolutely stepped up and has cared for me with true love and kindness. He is my hero.

Zach Allia

Zach Allia had a successful career in Silicon Valley before deciding to leave the bustle of the tech world for the more slow-paced life in the pristine Utah landscape. Over the years, Allia has amassed an impressive travel client list that includes tourism boards such as Visit Jordan and Istria, Croatia. Allia’s near half a million followers on Instagram flock to his feed daily for an extraordinary mix of travel, wildlife, puppies and portraiture.

Humza Deas

When you look at Humza Deas profile and career to date, it is hard to believe that he is only 21 years old. His photographs’ gritty, distinct look and feel comes from his background growing up skateboarding on the streets of New York City. Deas loves showing off his love for New York City from unique perspectives, often from above. Whether it be a helicopter or a rooftop, Deas thrives off these high altitude scenes. Deas credits his endless exploration of the city as also helping him have a better understanding of who he is as an individual.

Erin Sullivan

Erin Sullivan’s love for photography started young, when she was just a teenager. Her constant desire to be outdoors with her camera led her to work as a wilderness guide and adventure trip leader. These experiences helped Sullivan learn how to not only capture the scenes in front of her, but interact with her environment. Whether she is photographing lions on safari or documenting the culture of Myanmar, Sullivan has a wide range of documentary styles that has helped her blog ‘Erin Outdoors’ become one of the most popular travel blogs on the internet today.

Your travel schedule these days often takes you far from the US borders. So far that there is even some Kenya footage in your TTL episode. But when you were in your home, you found joy in sharing some of your favorite local spots.  What was the message you were trying to convey with including both locations?

I spend about half of my time in my home base, and half my time on the road or trail. Home right now for me is LA. I moved to LA about a year ago, which a lot of people found hard to believe. They thought I must want to be somewhere really outdoorsy, since the outdoors is a big part of what I photograph. But I’m always looking for a place that is just outside of my comfort zone, and that was honestly LA for me. And maybe folks don’t consider that there is a lot of beautiful nature relatively close by. So I wanted to do at least part of this episode at my current home base. We went to Point Dume, which is one of my favorite sunset spots in Malibu. In my episode, you also see cuts from Kenya. I hope to show people that there is magic everywhere, not just on the trips that take you far from home.

If you had to plan a 30 day US road trip, what are some of your must visit locations? Both places you have been and US bucket list locations?

Not sure if I’m allowed to take any flights during this road trip, but I’d want to spend some significant time in Alaska. I have been there a few times and its just a place I want to experience more of. I’d like to spend more time in Lake Clark and Denali National Parks, and I’d like to go to Katmai. I love photographing wildlife and I’d love to learn more about brown bears and spend some time photographing them and sharing their story. I also haven’t seen much of the northern lights, so that would be a highlight. If that’s about 10-12 days, then I’d take the rest of the time to road trip from Seattle to Maine, with a route that takes me through Idaho, Montana, South Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin–– I’ve never spent significant time there, and I’d love to. Lastly I’d love to shoot the fall colors in the Northeast. I’m from the east coast, but I haven’t been there for the fall since college. It’s truly a special time of year there.

You are known as Erin Outdoors, and it’s easy to see why! But with all of the remote outdoor adventures you embark on, is it hard to come home to a metropolis as crazy as Los Angeles?

Ha, I get this question a lot! To me, “Outdoors” doesn’t just mean literally outside. It means outside of what is comfortable to you, outside of your routine or what you are used to. I moved to LA because I wanted to surround myself with buzzing creativity. Yes, I do miss the mountains of Colorado. I miss being able to drive five minutes down the road to a trailhead. But I’m also not living downtown… I live a few miles from the beach, and that offers a different kind of peace. Just like nothing compares to the mountains of Colorado, nothing compares to the coast of California either. I love coming home to a city that always has something going on. People are fighting for what they believe in and creating art and pursuing their ideas. Is it hectic? Yeah–– I don’t think I will live here forever, but I am enjoying this chapter while I’m in it.

Terry Mclaughlin

Terry Mclaughlin has lived in Los Angeles, California after moving from his home in Wichita, Kansas. His street photography has fueled his desire to learn more about the people from the Southern California metropolis, especially the local homeless population. Coming from a background which forced the photographer to confront his addiction issues head on, Mclaughlin hopes his documentary work showing the Los Angeles that people rarely see helps viewers learn more about the problems of addiction and homelessness.

The one thing that most stands out about your work is the sense of height. Whether from the air, laying on the ground looking up, or sitting on a rooftop ledge, height seems to play a big part in your style. What is it about the vertigo feeling that fuels your creativity?

Your not going to believe this but over the years I have developed a fear of heights. They fear of falling developed from when I started having nightmares about falling from the rooftops. I can no longer stand at the edge of buildings without the fear of falling. That being said, shooting from heights gives you a feeling of being alive. Nothing beats the exhilaration of flying in a helicopter and zipping around city catching all those unique angles.

You show a side of Los Angeles that few have seen, or even knew existed. What is it about the sprawling metropolis that inspires you, photography wise?

I started my photography journey on the urban exploration side of things. Exploring abandoned places, rooftops and urban landscapes from different high places around the city. I have also grown to love doing street photography. I love to capture the essence of the people and culture of the cities that I visit.

Jordan Taylor Wright

Multi-talented is a phrase all too often used these days, but when applied to Jordan Taylor Wright, it is an accurate representation. The Los Angeles based creative hasn’t kept himself in one specific genre of art, instead choosing to utilize all of his skills and business sense by running a full fledged production company and creative agency.  While not working on ad campaigns with brands such as Bose, L’Oréal, American Express, and Marvel, Wright has also contributed to music videos for Usher, Justin Bieber, Jennifer Lopez, and The Chainsmokers.  Seemingly never stopping to sleep, Wright is also a writer whose book “Forever in the Infinite Now” is available on his education website Intention.io

You are known for your filmmaking, but your IG is full of incredible photos and digital art. As filmmaking is your actual career, how do you find the time and inspiration to create the still content and inspirational messages that appear on your IG feed?

I come up with original ideas simply by living in the present. I could be sitting in traffic and look up to see a beautiful building or design. From there I think, “How cool would it be if…” and start bouncing ideas around. What if my car lifted off into the sky and flew around the bright lights? What if I abandoned traffic and my car altogether and was magically transported to this beautiful location free of traffic altogether? By just bouncing around ideas, I’m able to come up with some pretty original and creative content.

My company, Taylor Cut Films, is all about creative expression. Whether it be a music video, feature film, or commercial, we express visuals by means of storytelling through our soul. We all have a story to tell. We all have energy within us waiting to be shared. Some express themselves through music, whether it be listening or creating. Some do it through words, or painting, or videos, or dance. We all have an outlet which is authentically us (our essence). We create content from this place for other to see, so that they too can be mirrors of love and creativity for all as well. If it feels right, we know. I’m proud of creating content that shows imagination, inspiration, and unity.

 

In terms of finding the time to create my content, I just have to make time. If this means waking up earlier than usual or staying in on a Saturday night, then that’s what I’ll do.

With as much traveling as you do for work, how do you find the balance to really enjoy the culture and locations around the world that you visit? And do you find time to put the camera down and just be in the moment?

I’m a firm believer in “living in the moment,” no matter where in the world I am. I understand that usually when traveling it’s for work and we have a project/assignment that needs to be completed by a given deadline. However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t or shouldn’t take advantage of your surroundings. In the mornings before we begin work, I always meditate to get myself in the right state of mind and make myself “present.” Afterwards I like to walk around and explore my local surroundings. This also helps boost my creativity since you can find inspiration anywhere, especially in unfamiliar or new locations.

Here’s another example. One time in Dubai we were scheduled to go on a helicopter tour after filming (me, Usher, and a prince of Dubai who invited Usher to perform at this music festival) and on the drive over Usher kept teasing me saying we were going skydiving (he knew I was afraid of heights at the time.) I kept saying I would stay in the car if so, until he finally said he was just joking with me. When we arrived at the helicopter facility, the prince hadn’t arrived yet and the pilot said in broken English, “This is where we also do skydive Dubai” which is a famous skydiving event. Usher didn’t fully understand and replied with, “I’ve always wanted to go skydiving” to which the pilot replied with “Okay, you’ll go skydiving!”. They began to harness him into a parachute, when Usher looked over at me, and with his eyes basically said, “I’m not doing this alone.” I smiled and said “Okay, let’s do it”. We ended up jumping out of a helicopter at close to 12,000 feet and it was one of the best experiences of my life. Fear is just the unknown waiting to be turned into love. I was so happy to have stepped out of my comfort zone that day and take advantage of the down time we had.

As of August 28th, the following 8 episodes have yet to air. Subscribe to Adorama TV on YouTube to be notified when each episode goes live.

Minh T

Simple is a good way to describe Minh T’s style. Leading lines, shapes and perfect symmetry give way to white spaces and long shadows, conveying a sense of wandering through a dream. His scenes have been well received by his fans and media alike, landing Minh T on countless ‘Who to Follow’ lists, including the award for ‘Best Individual Instagram’ by Surface.

Lauren Naylor

Lauren Naylor’s photography journey has taken her coast to coast, from her home in Florida to Portland then to New York and lastly, Los Angeles after she realized NYC has some cold winters. Naylor’s work usually includes models who fit perfectly into the sometimes otherworldly scenes that she is drawn to. In addition to her photography work, Naylor has founded Supervirgo, a collective of Los Angeles based female creatives.

Your portrait work is beautiful and has a unique vintage feel and color tone in often otherworldly landscapes. What is it about these desert like environments that fuels your creativity?

I think the dream-like quality found in desolate, unique environments—like the desert landscapes in California—really help to bring my more ‘altered reality’ concepts come to life. I’ve always been attracted to nature and the outdoors since I was a little kid. So it feels really natural to have it be such a significant part of my photographs. There is a time and place for studio shots, but for me a landscape and all its interesting forms takes the imagery to a deeper level.

You founded a collective of female creatives called Supervirgo. What was the inspiration behind this and where would you like to see this creative be in 5, 10 years?

The idea for a community of creatives had been floating around in my brain for years. After talking to other women in leading creative roles, and facing some of my own frustrations coming from being a female photographer in an industry that’s primarily dominated by males here in LA—I made the decision to start acting to create a supportive collective here. The goal is to help balance out some of the unfair standards that have been set for years regarding preconceived notions on what kind of jobs and rank each gender is supposed to have. We don’t want domination, and we don’t want the advantage because we’re female—we just want to be on an equal playing field. Times are changing in favor of this, and I am so excited for what’s to come! I hope in 5, 10 years Supervirgo grows beyond LA to areas all over the world. More importantly on a micro-level, I hope it helps to empower talented females to lead, and in turn those women help other women to do the same.

Jose Silva

Besides having one of the photography industry’s most incredible heads of hair, the Venezuela born photographer moved to New Jersey when he was 14 when he also found his love for photography. Street photography, cityscapes and aerial photography are Silva’s passion, but lately, he has also become a force in the live music scene as well, capturing unreal photos at some of the country’s biggest music festivals and shows.

Eric Rubens

Most of photographer and filmmaker Eric Rubens work could simply be described as ‘paradise.’ The California-based creative is drawn to the ocean and beaches, capturing breathtaking sunsets, surfers, and idyllic beach scenes. He has accumulated almost 400k followers on Instagram, proving that warm tones and beautiful beach scenes is what most people want to be daydreaming of.

Your Instagram feed is full of bright, warm, tropical scenes. What is it about these warm destinations that is so appealing to you?

I’ve always associated the beach with warmth, sunlight, and joy so I try to convey that through my pictures and video. When I was working as an engineer, I’d always day dream of tropical destinations and found a lot of peace when viewing a dreamy scene. I came to the realization that something as simple as a picture and video has the power to relax and inspire someone you’ve never met. When Instagram first came out, I thought it was so cool that I could share a beach picture of my home and someone on the other side of the world would see it and comment about it. That’s one of the biggest factors that motivated me daily to go out and share the place I call home.

You often come back from trips with a full video along with tons of photos. Do you ever find time to put the camera down and enjoy the moment? How do those moments help inspire your creativity when you do pick up the camera again?

I often shoot a ton of photo and video on trips but I really enjoy what I do so it rarely feels like work. I think the other side of photography (organizing content, editing, running a business, etc) is a little more draining so I try to stick to just shooting when I’m on trips. I can always go back and edit later down the road but I try to capture as much as I can on a trip so I have more to work with. I find some opportunities to put the camera down, but like I said, even with a camera in my hand I’m still having a great time!

Tobi Shinobi

London photographer Tobi Shinobi came from a background you wouldn’t expect from a full time, successful photographer. Shinobi was a young lawyer when he became an early adaptor to Instagram, and his work was quickly noticed. He was featured by Instagram numerous times, helping him amass 140k followers, which eventually led to his change of career. Shinobi has put down his law books and picked up a camera, and all of us who follow him are grateful that he did.

You portfolio is a mix of moody urban photos, architecture, aerial, and the occasional nature capture. Which of these genres are you most attracted to and why?

I would say first and foremost I really appreciate stunning visuals. So anything that catches my eye will be considered for photo or video. I very much appreciate architecture from a design perspective, I grew up in the city and shot what was around me and available. I’ve always been obsessed with balance and my mother was an engineer so I grew up seeing technical drawings and it just kinda stuck.

Having said all that I love nature for its sheer diversity in terms of color, texture and sense of awe, especially when as a photographer you are physically placed in a location that is so huge, vast or impressive that you are humbled.  My background in law taught me to consider many perspectives and this is something I consider when taking shots, whether nature or urban.  Aerial photography allows me to gain a newer perspective and really enjoy exploring my surroundings from that point of view.

In all of your travels, which location do you feel you felt the most inspired to capture and share the scenes in front of you?

Ah, that’s a difficult question,  I have been to so many places and each of them brings something different. There’s always something to find and even when it might seem like there’s not I love the challenge of finding something new. I really enjoy the hunt.  I feel that’s often lost on some people on social media. They want to know where the location is but they don’t want to put in any work to find it and you don’t value anything you don’t have to work for.

What is the #1 location on your travel bucket list right now?

One?  Man, I wish it was just one. I have a few places that I’d love to visit:

Thailand, China, Russia, Iceland, Switzerland, Singapore and Australia just off the top of my head, so if you know anyone who wants some beautiful shots of their city let me know…

Paola Franqui

Puerto Rican born Paola Franqui has an incredible way of capturing fleeting moments. Whether it’s a couple sharing a moment in front of Big Ben or a kiss on a bridge in Venice, Franqui sees these moments and makes sure to act fast before the moment is gone. But perhaps where her work shows the most heart is when she returned to Puerto Rico just two months after Hurricane Maria. The images show damage and destruction, but also courage and fight from the residents who refused to be knocked down.

You seem to really love to capture the fleeting moments of daily life on the street. What is it about these seemingly non-descript moments that draws you in?

To me, showcasing human emotion and capturing organic moments are two of the things that make me love street photography.  You walk around and see people every day, but you don’t know what they are going through, you don’t know what they are feeling. In my eyes, if I see a subject and take a photo, I want the viewer to imagine what it felt like being at that moment when I took the photo. There’s nothing more beautiful than capturing moments that will never happen again.

While it may be an impossible question to answer, which city has been your favorite street photography subject?

Cuba is truly a street photography paradise. In the streets, people have their heads up, ready and willing to engage with the world and the people around them. Cuba may be one of my favorite destinations ever.  I can’t wait to go back!

Out of all of the characters that you have met photographing on the streets, who is the one that still sticks in your mind almost daily?

I have to go back to Cuba on this one. Last year, I was taking a break from a long day of shooting when I saw an older man sitting by himself. He looked so sad and lonely that I decided to walk up to him and sat next to him. I began by saying hello and he immediately welcomed me with a smile. We had the most beautiful and honest conversation. He is someone that I will never forget. Before parting ways, I took his portrait and I too, smiled back. I will treasure that moment forever and I’m so happy I was able to take his portrait.

Steve Gindler

Steve Gindler loves abandon locations, especially if he can add a little mystery to it. Gindler often takes models into these forgotten buildings, setting up images that will often leave you speechless.

New Jersey has the unfortunate label of ‘most moved out state.’ While this may not be good for the economy, it seems to leave you with plenty of abandon locations to create your art. What is it about abandon buildings that you feel works so well for the style of photography that you have your models in?

The images that I seek to create are ones that express the frailty of humankind and our physical existence. The rotting structures, abandoned homes, and other derelict locales depicted in my imagery allow the audience to feel a sense of discomfort about their own mortality, when viewing a once-adorned home that was at a time filled with families, love, and joy. When these places that we associate with comfort, a feeling of roots, the mental idea of a “home” are displayed in an abandoned and forgotten way, the viewer is able to imagine his or herself abandoned physically as well as emotionally. Seeing certain material things that we human beings own covered in dust and rotting is a love letter to how we can feel anxious, alone, and thrown away.

Have you ever gotten into serious trouble for your abandon exploration and photo shoots? Was there any experience that got your heart pounding?

I’ve had a few trespassing tickets and court visits, but most were dropped when I was able to simply explain that I was only trying to preserve the structures with my photography. The most terrifying experience, however, did not come from our boys in blue. I was with a friends in upstate New York exploring an abandoned hotel when I turned a corner to an older gentleman yelling at me in broken English, full of expletives and threats. He stated that he had a gun on him and was ready to shoot if we did not leave immediately. I ran faster than I ever have before, and hopped through a window that was adorned with broken glass. I still don’t know if this man actually had a gun on his person, or if it was just a scare tactic, but it certainly worked as intended.

Dan Marker-Moore

Dan Marker-Moore was always more than a photographer. For a decade, he was a animator/motion graphics artist before finding his passion for photography in Los Angeles. His background mostly shows in his stunning ‘time slices’ series which combines hours worth of images to create a beautiful kaleidoscope of colors and changing light.

The post Meet the 16 Creatives in AdoramaTV’s ‘Through The Lens: Back In The USA’ appeared first on Resource Travel.

So when Phoenix based storm chaser and photographer Mike Olbinski woke up on July 9th in Blyth, California, he knew he had to rush home based off the weather models he checked first thing in the morning.

Olbinkski detailed the chase on his Facebook post.

I kinda had the entire day mapped out before breakfast based on models and how this same deal happened on July 29th, 2016…and sure enough it played out the same way.

 

Except BETTER. Because this time the storms were early. And we had 150 miles and hours to stay in front of a churning, dense haboob. From driving through it near Stanfield, to a gorgeous haboob approaching Vekol Road, then it was to Gila Bend and after that is when it really came to life and was a dream to chase all the way to Yuma.

 

Better yet was the fact that this wall of dust was so thick, NO traffic came from the east for at least an hour. All it was was about 5-7 storm chasers leapfrogging each other, jumping out along Interstate 8, hootin’, hollering and high-fiving.

It’s no secret that we are big fans of Olbinski’s storm chasing photos and time-lapse films. In fact, we have brought you along for the ride in 12 of his previous storm chasing experiences, and all are as beautiful and fascinating as the ones before. So when I saw this incredible moment on his Facebook post, I had to sit down with Olbinski and get the story.

That is one big haboob! Is this the biggest one you have ever seen?

No, it’s not the biggest, but I’m definitely ranking it #2 all-time now! The best will always be July 5th, 2011. That was the first time-lapse I ever did of a haboob and it went viral within an hour of sharing it online. One that size won’t be seen out here again I don’t think, but this one from July 9th, 2018 was absolutely stunning.

When the wall is quickly approaching, is there ever a fear of the unknown about being inside of one?

No fear for me really. I’ve been in countless dust storms, and they vary in intensity and strength. However, we could definitely tell this was a dense one and if you got stuck inside for too long, it would be very hard to get back out with the low to zero visibility. For a time-lapse guy like me, I usually let it hit me, wait about 20 seconds, then race out of it as fast as possible. The good thing about this one is that it was so dense, we really had no cars to worry about on the interstate because they’d all pulled over behind it.

Some of your footage looks to be taken from inside the haboob. After it would descend on you, what was the game plan?

That footage was in Yuma and was basically when it was dark and we decided to call the chase. So we pulled into a lot and waited it out. The wind and sand was so intense. I think my windshield may have thousands of tiny little dings in it now from what I noticed today. Once it passed, we went back east towards home to hopefully catch some lightning, but it ended up just being rain and wind.

How long were you chasing this one?

The storms that really helped spawn on this hit around the Casa Grande area, as well as rolled through Phoenix around the same time. So I was on it from the start west of Casa Grande around 4:30pm. The last video was shot at 8:30pm when we gave up, so a solid four hours. It was a dream to catch it with all that time and daylight left. I’ve done two similar chases the past two years, both of them were AMAZING haboobs, however, they came after dark or right at sunset too early, and the chase west to Yuma was so dark that the photos were impossible to do much with. But July 9th…150 miles of chasing and tons of stops and fun photos along the way. Great times.

Your friend Greg McCown has a photo of you and fellow chaser John Sirlin standing outside as the haboob seems mere meters away. Did he snap those pics and then you immediately ran for cover in the vehicle?

I think the haboob was further away than it looked! Those are monsters, being nearly 3000-5000ft tall. So while it looked close (and it still in reality was), it wasn’t a “shoot and run” situation completely. However, I’m sure within the next five minutes of those pictures, we were packing up. Sometimes you get in front long enough to time-lapse for half an hour, sometimes a mere 5-10 minutes.

Any advice for amateur storm photographers on how to safely photograph one?

If you see one, and you’re new, definitely keep ahead of it. Don’t wait for it to hit you. And be very cautious if you are trying to punch one to get to the other side. You never know who might have stopped in the middle of the road because of low visibility and didn’t pull off to the side.

What was it like to experience this incredible moment with your kids?

Well, my kids probably just love being with dad, on the road, getting snacks and being on their iPad…but we do have a ton of fun watching these storms, and while they don’t always understand it all, they definitely let out a few “wows” for this dust storm. And I got some cute shots of Eli on top of my truck, a selfie with them together and a dust storm behind us and my daughter was shooting BTS video all day which I loved. Hopefully someday in life they will look back with fond memories on all this, because for me it’s already amazing now.

So there you have it. Another day, another incredible storm chase with Mike Olbinski. Look out for his upcoming completed time-lapse film of this entire storm on an upcoming feature on Resource Travel.

See more from Olbinski on his website, Facebook, and Instagram.

The post See the Massive Dust Storm That Swallowed Southwest Arizona appeared first on Resource Travel.

As I do for any trip, usually international, I spend months learning about the location:  climate, people, popular sites to become familiar with, customs, food, and the travelers “dos and don’ts.”  Although in the US, I had not been to Wyoming for at least three decades, so I dedicated time to conduct quite a bit of research, particularly since the area I would be visiting was described to me as a “photographer feeding frenzy.”  I wanted to ensure I had the appropriate equipment, mentality and imagined experience to maximize my trip.  To minimize travel time, I chose to stay at The Hatchet Inn, just 7 miles from the park entrance, and was sure to reserve a Jeep Wrangler (it’s Wyoming, I had to!).

Now that I knew where I’d stay and how I would get around, I turned my preparation to learning all I could about the grizzly bear population in the park, including sites, schedules and best locations for sightings.  I learned that the grizzlies are designated by numbers and #399, #610, #793 were a few that seem to return with their cubs each spring after hibernation.  After more research, I found a few have be given names:  #793, aka Blondie, and #610, aka Felicia.  As my friend and I spoke more, we laughed a bit at our “secret agent-like” conversations that referenced these bears by number.  The more I researched, the more excited I became and then remembered, I have at least five more months!  The excitement grew as the date neared.    

While my family made holiday weekend plans to officially kick off summer at our nearby lake, I packed my light winter clothes, all-weather jacket, hooded sweatshirts and beanie and headed off to Jackson Hole, WY from my homet in Dallas.  My outbound flight was overbooked and we were not going anywhere until nine passengers, either voluntarily or involuntarily, made alternate plans.  To incentivize the deal, bidding started at $800, which quickly escalated to $1200.  Despite my excitement to get to start my grizzly adventure, I thought this is an opportunity I should answer and threw my name in the ring to get bumped.  After eight others reluctantly came to the same decision, we each walked away from the gate with $2800 in future flights and a seat on the same flight the following day.  My hotel was kind to adjust my reservation without penalty, and I flew out the next morning, but not until I ate my $31 in food voucher by starting the day with steak and eggs!

Arriving a day later than anticipated only increased my excitement to get my baggage (of course I carry-on my equipment), grab the Jeep and hit the wet road from a full day of rain.  Wyoming is breathtaking and far more beautiful than I recall from my childhood summer vacations.  Meeting up with my friend, who had been on the ground for a few days already, was a little delayed because I could not hold back from pulling over and capturing the beauty around every passing curve. Little did I know that this was a good idea because the rain kept the bears tucked in for the day.

Day two far exceeded my expectations. Not only did I capture #793 and her 2 cubs, within yards was #399 and her nursing cubs.  What started off as a few observing passerby’s turned into miles-long of onlookers, photographers and some very sweet park rangers.  The day was filled with #399 leading the way for #793, mimicking the motherly teachings of what I imagine my wife doing for our young children as they become parents.  I spent the next couple of days capturing the sweetest moments between the pair of sows and cubs, never growing tired of patiently waiting for the playful bursts of the cubs chasing birds in the tall prairie grass or chewing on the orange parking cones.  My trip could have ended here and I would go home a happy man, more importantly a happy photographer. How could this get any better?

My morning routine was pretty well set by now, so early the next day, I grabbed my coffee and drove through the park, looking for the next opportunistic shot of other beautiful creatures of the park: moose, elk, and the occasional black or cinnamon black bear.  As I settled on an area, I caught a familiar face mixing about the crowd – Tom Mangelsen – arguably one of the most celebrated wildlife photographers today, who happens to in the Tetons in search of the same stunning moments I was in search of.  Stepping in the front of the camera for a moment, I grabbed a photo of Tom and me, as well as a pop-up interview regarding the proposed reversal of national park hunting practices.  His lovingly admiration for #399 and others was so personal, and I look forward to sharing his thoughts in a future article.

Photography trips are more than just capturing images of the local community, human and bears, alike.  Photographing wildlife brings hours of idle time to meet other professionals, share stories of past or future adventures or other on-site photographic material or subjects.  This proved very helpful for my next morning as I set out to get a sunrise shot of one of my favorite birds that had been nesting nearby, the osprey or aka sea hawk (for those Seattle NFL fans out there).

As I waited patiently for one of the nesting pair to take flight, one of the other photographers I had befriended joined up with me and we received a tip that a great grey owl was nearby.  Rumor has it other wildlife photographers have spent years, 10+, to photograph this evasive creature and here I am on day 5 of my trip. Thank you to Wendy and Jeff!

My bucket list and soul are fulfilled.  My inbound flight ended up being overbooked, too, so guess what I did!  After receiving a $2000 voucher, I went back to rent the same Jeep, and set out to gather more shots. Blondie (#793 and I are on first-name basis by now) was the first bear I spotted from the main road passed Colter Bay and after she retired into the woods after about 4.5 hours, I found myself alone with a wolf for about 6-minutes before two park rangers arrived.  When I shared my good luck, they confirmed stating that neither of them have seen a wolf in years.  My days were catching up to me so I slowly made my way to Snow King resort, compliments of American Airlines, had dinner and packed yet once again before calling it a night.   

The final day was short, but I made the most of it and caught the great grey owl hunting for breakfast along the bank of the water at Moose Overlook.  Only photographers quietly trace the path of a hungry owl, hoping she looks our way or into the sunlight.  My journey ended here.  I was ready to go home, but a part of me would welcome a financially-incentivized reason to delay my flight, but opportunity did not knock and in a way I was okay with that because I’m already planning my next trip.  Thank you, Wyoming.   

The post In Search of Grizzly Bears in Grand Teton National Park appeared first on Resource Travel.

Their newest film showcases California’s Death Valley National Park in the Mojave Desert. And, as is to be expected with Jim and Will Pattiz, the imagery of the largest national park in the continental United States is nothing short of amazing. Contrary to what the name conjures in the mind, Death Valley offers diverse landscapes and colorful scenery, with life far more prominent than one would think, plants and animals somehow managing to adapt to to the extreme conditions. And since the project was filmed primarily in 8K–the beauty of the place is even more prevalent.

You can head over to their site to check out other parks they’ve been too. And be sure to follow their Vimeo, Instagram, and Facebook as they plan to eventually cover all fifty-nine national parks.

The post Finding Colorful Life in California’s Death Valley appeared first on Resource Travel.

The new time-lapse film from photographer Bobby Gibbons, reminds us that once in a while, you can admire the beauty in your own backyard, even if there is more concrete than trees.

The film, called “LAPSE – A Los Angeles Timelapes” reveals the Southern California City in all its beauty–from iconic landmarks like the Hollywood sign and Dodger stadium, to the pristine beaches and unreal sunsets along the coastline, the imagery offers a quick and beautiful time-lapse tour of the City of Angels.

Gibbons’ has been shooting photography around L.A for more than a decade, but he decided that he “wanted to bring some motion to the mix and create a short of all moving parts.” He learned the techniques of creating a time-lapse and, using a Canon 5D (both a Mark III & Mark IV), spent the next two years capturing his favorite locations in the Los Angeles area.

Gibbons’ says he grew obsessed with finding both the perfect environment and light for each shot and even spent time reshooting certain locations when it wasn’t quite right. A year into the project, through constant scouting, shooting, processing, and reviewing his work (and perhaps his perfectionism as well), he was able to find the direction the film was headed and the story he wanted to convey. From that point, he begin shooting “for the underlining story.”

“L.A. seems to come alive at night,” He says in the descriptions, “The lights migrate around its sprawling buildings, and roads tell their chaotic tale, but during the daytime, life becomes mellow.”

Hard-work pays off.

Los Angeles has never looked so good.

Follow Bobby Gibbons on his website, Instagram and Facebook.

The post Experience The Beautiful Chaos of Los Angeles appeared first on Resource Travel.

For those of you who don’t know what Treefort is, it’s a five day festival known for showcasing local legend musicians as well musicians from around the world. As Treefort grows in size and popularity, so does the number of ‘forts’ that overtake the city. In addition to the main forts such as Alefort and Foodfort, new forts have blossomed up that bring interests to many different people who might not just be into the music, food and beer. Yogafort, Filmfort, Hackfort, Storyfort and Kidfort are just some of the ways that the Treefort organizers have branched out to make sure the festival has something for everyone.

While not personally being a yogi, a hacker or having children (although all three are on my lengthy To-Do List), here is what I am stoked to check out this year at Treefort. Forgive my mediocre photography. I may have had a couple of tasty craft beers prior, during, and after all photos were taken.

The Music

Two years ago, while experiencing my first Treefort after moving to Idaho, the late, great Screaming Eagle of Soul, Charles Bradley brought me to tears with his passion and love that bounced off of the concrete walls that surrounded the main stage. Last year, Lizzo had me shaking my hips (it wasn’t pretty, trust me on that) as her lively, fun filled performance left the town in a buzz.

This year, 460 bands have descended upon Idaho’s capital city to play in numerous venues scattered throughout downtown Boise. On the three day weekend, the music starts early in the afternoon and rocks all night till the bars close at 2am. From small coffee houses to the main stage, Treefort prides itself on showcasing Boise’s local talent, and this year, local legends like Built to Spill, Magic Sword, Great Bait, Tree People and Jeff Crosby return to play to their longtime neighbors and newcomers. Headliners this year from outside of Boise include George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic, Andrew W.K, Princess Nokia, and the Russian feminist protest punk rock group Pussyriot, who have made worldwide headlines for being jailed in Moscow due to their guerrilla protest performances in public places.

Make no mistake about it. While Treefort has something for everyone, the soul of the festival is its lively and diverse music performances. And each year, they just keep getting better and better.

The Beer

What’s better than enjoying incredible live music? Enjoying incredible live music with tasty and bold craft beer! Throughout Treefort, the ‘Alefort’ tent is always filled with beer lovers who gladly hop from one brewery to the next, tasting exclusive and rare brews that are often made in small batches, specifically for Treefort.

My favorite part of Alefort is the ‘nail pull’ event, where brewers will unleash barrel aged beer by pulling a nail out of the barrel as the happy drinker holds their tasting glass underneath. The beer is not cold, as it has been barrel aged out of a refrigerator, but, warm or cold, the Barbarian Brewery nail pull events have produced some of the finest beers I have ever tasted.

Boise, and Idaho in general, has a pretty impressive collection of breweries. Local beer makers like Barbarian Brewery, Payette Brewing, Edge Brewing, 10 Barrel and Sockeye all make impressive beers that are a hit with the fans at Alefort. Alefort is one of those places where you enter with the intention of staying 15 minutes and leave two hours later with a smile on your face and a belly full of unique and delicious beer.

The Food

With all that beer being consumed, you better make sure to have something hearty in your belly if you plan on seeing that band you love at midnight. Luckily, Foodfort has you covered. The best of the best of Boise’s exploding food scene are positioned next to Alefort and local food trucks are parked just outside the main stage, giving hungry party goers plenty of options. Over the multi day festival, you can have anything from BBQ Brisket to street tacos to bacon and sage popcorn, and everything in between.

Between the beer and the food, you would think you would gain 10 pounds over a the five day festival. But luckily, the walking between venues and constant booty shaking to the music will give you your daily fix of calorie burning.

The Location

Ah, Boise. I really do love this town. While Boise is one of the fastest growing cities in the United States, it still possesses a small town vibe. It is a perfect city for outdoor enthusiasts and weekend warriors, where a casual stroll downtown will have you looking out to the Boise mountains, which are popular with mountain bikers and hikers in the summer, and skiers and snowboarders in the winter.

And Treefort capitalizes on the local’s love for their town. Would it be easier to hold Treefort in some big fairground, centralizing everything, a la Coachella? Sure, but then it wouldn’t be Treefort. What makes Treefort so unique in the music festival world is that it is a true ‘downtown’ music festival, that literally takes over the entire downtown for those five days. And no one here minds. Quite the opposite. We welcome the madness because Treefort is safe, fun, and great for the local economy. While there is never a bad time to visit Boise, I am hard pressed to find a better time to visit than Treefort.

The Community

While I have made Treefort out to sound like this mega festival that is so big, it needs an entire downtown and almost 20 venues to hold everyone, nothing is further from the truth. While Treefort has grown considerably since its inception, I am still amazed how SMALL it often feels when in the thick of it. The organizers have done everything right. Having so many venues and so many options prevents any one place from becoming too overcrowded at any time. I only had to wait in line a couple of times last year, and that was mainly to my poor planning by not getting to a popular band’s show BEFORE they went on stage.

But no matter how big the festival gets, there is always a sense of community everywhere you go. Local companies set up their stands and find ways to help the local community while showing off their latest products. Take the local clothing store Wear Boise for example. Stop by their stand, step into a photo booth with a bunch of adorable dogs, and proceeds will go to the much loved Idaho Humane Society (we LOVE our four legged fur friends here.)

This is far from the only example. Boise is a close knit community made up of a diverse group of people. And as you walk through the festival, you will see old friends hugging each other, new friends laughing together, and everyone smiling as one.

This is Boise. This is Treefort. And we aren’t going anywhere.

The post 5 Reasons Why I Am Stoked For Treefort Music Festival in Boise, Idaho appeared first on Resource Travel.

When I landed in Las Vegas and arrived at our hotel, the beautiful W, I was shocked to see that Sony had brought out many of my journalist friends for this trip. I knew at that moment that the industry leader in mirrorless cameras had something big to announce. And indeed they did. On Monday at 5pm PST, Sony gathered us all together at the Industrial Event Space to show off their latest full-frame mirrorless camera, the A7III, which is the third generation of the one that started it all. I have always thought the A7 and A7II were the perfect cameras for those who wanted to either wanted to step up their game from a point and shoot, or if they were already DSLR users, the perfect all around camera to enter into the mirrorless universe.

So naturally, I was excited to get my hands on the A7III. But, being a travel photographer, I am usually not used to taking photos of models in elaborate sets (although I got some great shots of them too), so when I learned that Sony planned to strap us in some open door helicopters with Las Vegas based Maverick Helicopters, I was excited. Being that it’s much easier to drop things out of an open door helicopter, we were told we wouldn’t be able to change lenses during the flight, so I opted to just board the chopper with the A7III and the insanely versatile Sony FE 24-105mm f/4 G OSS Lens, tightly strapped around my neck, of course.

*Editors Note: I had finished this article on the afternoon of Sunday March 11th, just hours before the tragic helicopter crash in New York City. While our flight with Maverick Helicopters was doors off, we did not have the type of harness systems that was on the helicopter in NYC. I am fully confident that in case of emergency, I would have been able to quickly get out of my ‘seat belt,’ which was released with a strong turn of a wheel positioned over your stomach. While the type of belts used by Maverick do not allow for the type of free movement that the harness does, I was easily able to put my camera out of the helicopter (and even my head) to get the shots I desired. I decided to publish this article to show that, while there is always danger involved in experiences like this, the safety record of helicopter tour operators is very high, and I think it is important to tell the story of our incredible tour, one which I always felt safe, and would do again in a heartbeat. Our condolences go out to the victims and the families affected by the NYC tragedy. 

So off we went to McCarren Airport, where my group met our pilot Danny Green, a man who could have easily been cast as Iceman in the original Top Gun if he was only 30 years older. Danny was the lead pilot who would navigate our squadron of four ECO-Star EC-130 helicopters for the 30 minute flight to the rugged and beautiful Valley of Fire State Park. Luckily, my friend Ted Forbes from The Art of Photography was in my helicopter to capture the incredible video above, which really shows how surreal the experience was.

As soon as we were off the ground, the famed Las Vegas strip, with giant buildings packed into minimal square acreage, became seemingly as small as a toy model. We quickly reached our cruising altitude of 1,000 feet and barreled towards Valley of Fire at 100mph. Although it was late afternoon, the sunlight was still harsh, making it hard to get the photos I had envisioned. But, really, from this altitude, the scenery looks unique an interesting in any time of day. So I started snapping. Even though I wasn’t at the open door for this part of the flight, I was still able to get some great views.

But the real magic started happening as we made our approach over the Hidden Valley Ridge and the bright red rocks of Valley of Fire began to come into view. 

While the majority of helicopters out of Maverick’s base travel to Arizona’s Grand Canyon, a select few pilots are tasked with bringing the adventurous visitors to Valley of Fire. This responsibility falls on the shoulders of Maverick’s most experienced pilots, as the landing into the State Park is tricky, technical, and insanely exhilarating. Having visited Valley of Fire before by the not as fun means of transportation known as the car, I figured we would be landing the helicopters somewhere on the park’s floor, in a nice wide open space. I was pleasantly surprised to find this was indeed not the case. Danny approached a large rock cropping, told us to get ready for the fun and made a hard bank left as we quickly descended towards the rocks.

As we inched closer and closer to the top of this stunning mountain made of rock, I was amazed at the concentration and precision that went into Danny’s landing. Being able to see the ground below me, I had no clue how he was going to pull this off, as there really isn’t much ‘flat’ area to get his landing skids. But after about 60 seconds of slight maneuvers, we touched down. The other three choppers followed suit and impressively found their own minuscule spots to land, and we jumped out onto the rocks with a feeling of excitement and amazement.

Danny informed us that we had about 45 minutes to enjoy the view, so I started exploring with my Sony A7III in hand.

As we packed up to head back to Las Vegas, I noticed the light hitting the rocks was getting much softer and more attractive than when we had flown out, so I gladly took my seat on the open door at the back left of the chopper. We took off and made our way back to Las Vegas.

As we flew over the Hidden Valley ridge, we noticed the winds had picked up considerably, adding a little more excitement to our return home. But, this wasn’t going to be a standard return home. Danny had a surprise in store for us.

Allright guys…so I have checked our fuel level, and we are doing pretty good. So I want to take you guys on a little side mission. Have you ever seen the Hoover Dam? Even if you have, there is no better way to see it then from the sky!

Now this was an awesome addition to an already incredible experience. While I actually HAD seen the Hoover Dam from above (I skydived over it many many years ago), I didn’t have a camera at the time. Nor a vivid memory of the experience. Because, Vegas. To get to the Hoover Dam, we had to fly by Lake Mead, the largest reservoir in the United States in terms of water capacity. The soft light made for great photos of the clear blue water and the setting sun cast an eerie shadow of the mountains on the land just off the lake’s edge.

As we approached the Hoover Dam, I adjusted my position to hang my camera slightly out of the door to get exceptional views of 82 year old engineering marvel, now the second biggest dam in the United States. The pilots made two circles around the dam, giving both sides of the chopper a great view. For the approach where I didn’t have a view of the dam, I was greeted with the rugged looking Colorado River, weaving through the landscape as it made it’s retreat south from the Hoover Dam. 

When we made our final pass over the Dam, Danny informed us that is was time to head back. But, as I glanced out of the open door, I could see the setting sun casting an almost unreal light on the approaching landscapes and the Las Vegas strip in the distance. This is where I would put in the hardest, and most painful, work of the trip. To get the photos of the bright sun setting behind the Stratosphere Hotel and Casino, I had to put my head completely outside of the helicopter. The brutal cold force of the winds as we approached the strip at 100 miles an hour felt like hundreds of needles being stabbed into my face, but the resulting photos were worth the pain.

As we approached the strip, I returned to my position fully inside the cold, yet, less windy helicopter as we flew parallel to the Las Vegas strip. As we slowly made are final approach to McCarron, I couldn’t help but think of all of the unique stories unfolding in the casinos, restaurants, bars and hotel rooms below. While I had spent much of my many trips in Las Vegas making those memories below, it was a welcoming and refreshing feeling to be making a new memory of Las Vegas. One from high above the chaos, where a peaceful feelings replaced the usual madness that Las Vegas is known for.

A big thank you to Sony  and Maverick Helicopters for this unforgettable experience! Preorder your Sony A7III today. First orders ship in April. 

The post Flying In An Open Door Helicopter From Las Vegas to Valley of Fire appeared first on Resource Travel.

Before we check out my adventure though, make sure to enter the contest. Who could say no to a free trip to Whistler?

So off I was, flying past Mt. Rainier, on my way to the Vancouver airport, where I would take a 2-hour bus ride with Pacific Coach Lines on the Sea to Sky Highway. I had heard from friends that this is a stunning drive, and it did not disappoint. On the way north to Whistler, sit on the left side of the bus for the best views of dramatic fog and distant mountain peaks.

Once I arrived in Whistler, I checked into my incredible room at Evolutions in Creekside, just a short walk to the gondola that takes you up the Whistler side of the Whistler Blackcomb ski resort. As the temperatures hovered around freezing all week, my in-room fireplace and giant bathtub would be a lifesaver after a long and tiring day on the slopes.

And those slopes, that’s what I was most excited about. I had heard that Whistler Blackcomb is one of the best places to ski and snowboard in North America, and I couldn’t wait to strap on my snowboard from Showcase Snowboards and check it out. And luckily, I had one of the best mountain guides possible in Jesse Millen. Millen is a pro snowboarder who has lived in Whistler for 10 years and knows how to take advantage of this outdoor playground. And so my four-day adventure in Whistler had begun. And I learned five things about this glorious destination.

The Mountain is Epic, Even if The Snow Isn’t

This winter has been rough for us powder hounds. After a pretty intense snow season last winter, this year was mainly a bust overall, at least in the places I usually frequent. Whistler was not immune to this either. Millen had told me that the season started off with a bang and he was hopeful for another winter of endless storm systems dropping fresh powder consistently. But it was not to be. The storms slowed, the air warmed, and the snow on the mountain had become icy at times, as it was two of the three days I went during this trip. But, even a Whistler with less than ideal snow conditions is an incredible experience. The mountains, Whistler and Blackcomb, are huge, with 220 trails covering an astounding 8,100 acres. You can easily spend an entire day skiing and never once repeat a run.

The best parts of the mountains though are the peaks, especially Peak Lookout on the Whistler side. The 360-degree view is stunning, and the distant peak ‘Black Tusk’ makes for a great backdrop of photos of you and your friends. Although be warned: it is very windy and cold up here, so try not to have your gloves off for too long while taking photographs.

Sandwiched in between the two days with less than perfect conditions, we had awoken to 8 inches of beautiful powder and bluebird skies, which gave Millen and I an incredible morning session. I can say with 100% certainty that there are few places in North America as enjoyable as Whistler on a powder day.

You Ski All Day To Prepare For The Après

Not speaking French, I was lost when I kept hearing Millen and others say ‘après.’ Not wanting to sound uninformed, I simply nodded my head in agreement. Well, I soon came to find out that après means ‘after’ in French, and this is what Whistler locals call the late afternoon parties in Whistler Village that start to heat up as the mountain starts to cool with the setting sun. This video on the Go Whistler Facebook page sums it up perfectly.

Whether it’s après at Garibaldi Lift Co (GLC) – Whistler, fireside patio fun at Dubh Linn Gate Irish Pub or bundling up for the Vodka Ice Room at Bearfoot Bistro; Whistler’s nightlife is legendary!

There Are Giant Zip Lines Running Across Mountains…And They Are A Great Place to Get Engaged

Generally, I am pretty unimpressed with ziplines. Sure they are fun, but they usually aren’t very long, or high off the ground. But, once I saw the massive superfly ziplines that stretched across Cougar Mountain, I was intrigued and wanted to see if they were as incredible as they looked. I met the team at TAG Whistler  and off I went, high up the mountain. When I saw the first zipline, my heart started racing with excitement and nervousness. It was indeed huge. I couldn’t even see the landing platform. It was a kilometer long, 500 feet high and reached speeds of 100km hour.

I was strapped and ready, but nothing could prepare me for the exhilaration that overtook me as I raced across the canyon, frantically trying to take photos, which was not easy at such a high rate of speed. Once I hit the landing platform, I let out a loud “WOOOOHOOOO!” that echoed through the wilderness.

Three more ziplines and a phenomenal show of Alpine Glow as the sun set led to one of my most memorable experiences in Whistler. But it wasn’t nearly as memorable for me as it was for Jack and Stephanie, a couple in the group who got engaged on the final platform. Oh, did I mention it was Valentine’s Day? Nice work Jack, nice work.

Photo By Charles Audley

The Yukon Breakfast On Top of Sproatt Mountain is Legendary

Over some après beers, I told Millen and my friend and awesome Whistler-based photographer Blake Jorgensen that I was scheduled to go snowmobiling the next morning with Canadian Wilderness Adventures. They both immediately said “I hope you go up to Sproatt Mountain! It’s incredible up there.”

Well, sure enough, that is exactly what I did. I met my guide in the early morning, and off we went. We started by driving our sleds for about an hour up perfectly groomed trails that led to some narrow uphills that added a little challenge (and a lot of fun), before reaching Sproatt Mountain. And were those guys right. The views from the cabin overlooking a frozen Sproatt Lake were gorgeous under a rare clear sky.

As we waited for breakfast to be cooked in the cabin, we took our sleds down to the lake and had a great time speeding around in a big circle, hitting little jumps formed by the recent snow. After about 10 minutes, we had worked up a hearty appetite and headed inside for coffee and breakfast. And what a breakfast it was! A steaming delicious scramble and pancakes with Canadian Maple syrup made our bellies full and our hearts happy before we headed down the mountain.

The Yukon Breakfast tour is a must if you like to have a delicious meal with your morning adventure.

The Community is the Real Whistler

It’s hard to imagine a strong sense of community in a town such as Whistler, where most of the residents of the day will not be there tomorrow. But even in such a town filled with tourists and weekend warriors, I found that the locals are a passionate bunch who band together to enjoy everything that the region has to offer. It seemed everywhere I went with Millen and Jorgensen, they would always stop to talk to other locals they knew, laugh about some crazy adventure they all did together, and talk about when to do it again. The core of the community is the locals, and they all came to Whistler, British Columbia for a reason. They loved mountain sports, living an adventurous life, and being surrounded by some of the most stunning nature in North America. Many told me they came to work a winter season and just never left. Once you experience Whistler, it’s easy to see why.

Photo By Blake Jorgensen

Photo By Blake Jorgensen

The post 5 Things I Learned Over 4 Days In Whistler, Canada appeared first on Resource Travel.

The 10 episode season of ‘Through The Lens: Canada’ debuted on February 7th, with new episodes being added to the AdoramaTV YouTube channel twice a week, on Wednesday and Friday at 10:00am EST. So far, three episodes have been released, and if they are any indication of what’s to come, this may be the best season of ‘Through The Lens’ to date.

So before you binge-watch the first three episodes, let’s get to know the 10 Canadian Creatives being highlighted on this season of ‘Through The Lens: Canada.’

Elizabeth Gadd

We have been big fans of Elizabeth Gadd’s work for years, and once you see her environmental self-portraits, you will understand why. Gadd has a unique ability to find the scenes that are so dreamy, you would think her shots are ‘Photoshopped.’ But the reality is quite the opposite. Gadd relies on the incredible scenery in her home province of British Columbia and her determination to be in the right place at the right time to create the look she is so famously known for.

And occasionally, you will even see an adorable puppy in Gadd’s photographs. That is her sidekick, Pepper the Adventure Dog, and he is one handsome fella. He is also just as famous as his well-known mother, even being the star of Passenger’s music video ‘Heart of Gold.’

I often take my self portraits far away from the camera, usually facing away from the camera. I want people to use their imagination when looking at my photos. It could be anyone in the photo. It could be telling any kind of story. Growing up, I was always drawing and painting. And it was always nature and animals. When I started to take my self portraits, it was scary. I always preferred to be behind the camera. I started to discover that taking these self-portraits became a really therapeutic experience for me. I hope that my photographs show the positive connection between humans and nature, and I hope it inspires people to try to seek their own beautiful connection with nature.

Check out Gadd’s episode and some of our favorite photographs.

Jamal Burger

Toronto based photographer Jamal Burger is a relative newcomer to the photography life. He started his photo journey four years ago with only his phone. When he was in a sneaker shop, the owner asked Burger if he would be interested in taking photos for the store. Without a camera, the creative offered a compromise. “Buy me a camera and I will work for you free of charge for one year.” That chance encounter started Burger down the road of pursuing a career out of his passion, and he hasn’t looked back since.

Burger loves capturing ‘moments’, which led him to focus his energy on street photography, which meshed well with his monochrome style. He also developed a love for giving back through his work. He aims to inspire kids that chasing your dream isn’t impossible. And with that chance encounter and Burger’s relentless passion for capturing the moments, he is proof that any dream is possible.

Taylor Burk

Even if you don’t know his name, you have most likely seen some of Taylor Burk’s photography. With an impressive client list including BMW, The North Face, The Travel Channel, and Red Bull, Burk always finds a way to add a sense of jaw-dropping adventure to the campaigns he is hired to photograph. And with almost half a million followers on social media, it’s obvious that the adventure seeking public responds to Burk’s take on the connection between people and nature.

We caught up with Burk to chat about his seemingly non-stop action-filled life.

You are one of the most well know Adventure photographers out there today. Does this even feel real? That you get to just live out your passions and dreams for a living?

It is something that I don’t take for granted, I am extremely fortunate and privileged to be doing what I do for a living. I still have a lot to learn and there is always room for growth. I aspire to continue to create a good name for myself in the industry.

On Instagram, Your life looks epic from sunrise till lights out 365 days a year. But surely there are some challenges with this lifestyle right?

Often people forget that my Instagram feed is just a curated collection of photos. It doesn’t represent a complete picture of my life. It’s just a highlight reel of some of my favorite photos/moments spread out over time. I like challenges and with this lifestyle you have to learn to adapt. Sometimes you hardly get any sleep, are away from home for long periods of time and away from loved ones. At the end of the day, I am doing what I love and wouldn’t change it for anything.

If you could see Taylor Burk in 25 years, what is he doing?

Hopefully climbing a mountain, healthy, surrounded by good people still doing what I love!

Wayne Simpson

Based in the artistic village of Elora, Ontario, Wayne Simpson didn’t always see himself being a professional photographer. Now known for his dramatic portraits, his photography began as a hobby while working as a graphic designer. Simpson soon found his passion for his photography consuming him, and he started spending the majority of his time building a rapport with his subjects in order to get them comfortable, which wound up translating into photos that would become more than portraits. They would become stories, enticing viewers to wonder about this person’s life and experiences.

Simpson told us about his biggest influences and why his style of photography intrigues him.

I would say that my biggest visual influences are the work of Caravaggio (Italian painter), Joey Lawrence (Canadian photographer) and Lee Jeffries (British photographer). These are all artists who I feel work very well with light and are masters of conveying mood and emotion in their work.

 

I think I am drawn to people with a lot of character because there is a certain honesty in their faces. Most of my subjects don’t attempt to cover blemishes or perfect their skin – they wear the wrinkles and scars with pride. There are stories in those features – that’s what I love and appreciate. On another level, I love getting to know the people I photograph. These are often people who are different from the majority of society and in some cases they are simply misunderstood. I find it incredibly enlightening to talk to them and see the world through their eyes.

Maria Koutsogiannis

Maria Koutsogiannis is the daughter of Greek immigrants, and her mother’s simple cooking style helped shaped Maria’s love for food. She was always amazed at how her mother was able to take very few ingredients and convert them into an incredible meal. Soon, Maria started making her own recipes, focusing on making delicious, yet healthy meals. The fitness fanatic credits her healthy eating to curing any ailments that she had and aims to inspire people to eat healthier and exercise through her food and fitness blog.  She graciously shares her recipes on her website and has even authored a vegan cookbook, all while honing her photography skills to make her food look as amazing as it tastes.

Now that we are starving, we reached out to Maria to ask her about her obsession with food. 

“Greek food is one of our favorites! Out of all of your recipe knowledge, is Greek still your favorite food? Do the tastes remind you of childhood, being from a Greek immigrant family?”

I am obsessed with Greek Food! I love it the most.  It’s simple, beautiful and so nourishing.  You can add olive oil to anything and it’s completely transformed.  Lemon, Olive Oil and Oregano are the flavours or my childhood.  I would also eat olives like they were grapes and feta like it was the only food group.  Growing up my mother made a lot of lemon roasted potatoes, fresh fish, garlic potatoes and fresh greens and salads.  I was pretty blessed to eat well, all the time.

“You fully believe that one’s mental and physical well-being comes starts with the food you eat. How do you try to convey this philosophy to your followers?”

I convey this philosophy to my followers through honesty, transparency and positive words of affirmation. I explain to them the benefits of different ingredients, how they will fuel you and even go as far as shattering common misconceptions of food!  Balance is key.  Give yourself space, forgive yourself and be kind.

“Your upcoming cookbook highlights vegan meals. You say these recipes have a story behind them. Can you tell us a little about this?”

 Sure, they are each related to my background with Bulimia.  Each recipe is special as they all helped me overcome my fear of food and overcome my battle with bulimia and body dysmorphia.  I talk about how parents should talk to their children about food and their bodies.  We touch on my past experiences with body shaming and even talk about why Bulimia was born and how it ACTUALLY saved my life and helped me find and start FoodByMaria.  Each nightmare has a blessing and my worst fear became my best friend and business.  I feel very lucky.

Stevin Tuchiwsky

Stevin Tuchiwsky lives and breathes adventure. And his home country of Canada provides no shortage of adventure and beauty to help the young photographer create images that his Instagram audience of 230k followers drool over. His unique ability to capture adventure sports and landscape scenes of Canada’s most dramatic locations makes Tuchiwsky a favorite partner for local tourism boards and outdoor brands looking to share the Canadian adventure.

We sat down with Steve to talk about his incredible work and what Canada means to him.

It is obvious from your work that you most likely will never convert into a studio photographer. What is it about the outdoors, the backcountry, and capturing the activities and athletes that draws you in? Where do you remember this love for the outdoors being born?

Ha, I wouldn’t say never but you are most likely right. I have been thinking lately that I am ready for a new challenge and would like to swing more to a few portraits here and there. That being said I think the biggest thing that draws me to photographing the outdoors is the uncertainty. You never know what you are going to get, but when everything lines up it has often been the most rewarding times for me. Some of the most rewarding times, or memorable images I have shot have also been in some of the most miserable conditions. It is easy to get caught up in that perfect moment but I think sometimes things come best when unscripted if you can say. I think my love for the outdoors came from being able to have the freedom to do as you please. I obviously mean this in a creative way, not disrespecting way to the outdoors, but that the outdoors provides so many activities to do, and some of the coolest ones I think!

For those of us not from Canada, is it really the mountainous outdoor playground that we think it is from the Instagram posts that we see?

For the most part, yes. I say it like that cause it’s also easy to make something seem like it’s not. Regardless the mountain ranges here provide a little bit of everything for all ages and all skill sets. I think that is the thing I love most about it. If you want to just go for a drive and get lost to some of the most spectacular sights you can easily do that. If you want to challenge yourself to some type 2 fun to see some of the most amazing sights you can also do that. It is really endless here.

Where do you see Steve Tuchiwsky in 25 years?

Oh that is a tough one. I seem to have an ever growing demand of passions and interests where I always want to be the best at what I do. In the end though whatever I am into at that time that can make me smile is all I really can ask for.

Naskademini

Naskademini is a Montreal-based photographer who is well known locally for his fashion, lifestyle, portraiture and luxury photos. He has turned his passion into a full-time business by working with brands like Cadillac, Nike and Timberland. His photographs have graced the pages of Esquire, The Gazette and more.

While photography is his passion, he still finds time to lend his creative vision as a consultant for magazines and fashion trade shows. His use of light is stunning, creating intimate and clean portraits of his subjects.

We sat down with Naskademini and and talked about how he approaches his work, and what the future holds.

Your client list is impressive to say the least. But it seems that you don’t just like capturing generic content for your partner brands. You like to tell a STORY. And that story usually has a emotional aspect. Can you tell us a little about how you approach your photography, especially on a paid assignment for a brand?

My approach to photography is leaving a piece of my existence in every frame. My photography or art is a culmination of a life time of  love, pain, culture, triumph, success and failure, and most importantly heritage. Being a photographer of Caribbean and African decent , I think its important to have that revealed in every shot I take especially for paid client work.  When a footwear brand asked me to highlight their new basketball sneaker photographed on a model, i thought it would be important to have my young black model in a setting that the masses rarely get to see. So instead of having him on a basketball court I had him in a studio setting reading books while dressed in athletic gear and footwear.  It was very important for me to control and direct the narrative rather than deliver the status quo.  That is one example of leaving my mark in my work .

On your website, it famously says…”The Journey is still ongoing and as Naska says He is still writing his bio.”  What do you envision that bio saying in 25 years?

I envision my bio saying , ‘He treated all of his subjects with respect and showed them in the best light possible.’ I would like for my bio to also reflect the impact that I strive to have on my community and inspire young artist and photographers to be inspired and know that following your dreams and passion is possible despite all of the barriers and obstacles that are placed at your feet. I believe we are always just one frame away from changing the world.

Andrew Knapp

Nothing is greater than the bond between a man and his dog. Ok, there is one thing greater. When that man beautifully documents the bond between himself and his dog. And luckily for us, we can all come along for the ride as Andrew Knapp takes us on adventures with his dog Momo. And Knapp’s adventures with Momo seem to resonate with people, as the pair has accumulated over 600k Instagram followers who come along for the journey. Knapp’s Instagram feed will keep you busy for hours, as the adorable adventure puppy will keep you swooning and the incredible scenes captured through Knapp’s lens will make your jaw drop.

Eric Veloso

Creativity flows from the Vancouver-based photographer Eric Veloso. His stark images are thought-provoking, and a unique take on urban life. Veloso is also the creative director for Street Dreams Magazine.

Veloso seems to find beauty in what most people would never notice, and that is what makes his imagery so appealing. From abandon cars to crosswalks, Veloso is rarely without his camera, documenting the lives of him and his friends in the big city on the British Columbia coast.

Eric Paré

Maybe the most ‘out of the box’ creative on this season of ‘Through the Lens’ is Eric Paré. He is well known for his light painting and bullet time photography, leading most viewers to wonder: ‘how did he do that!?’

We have wondered that plenty of times ourselves, and we don’t really have an answer. But the season finale of ‘Through the Lens: Canada” should hopefully provide us some answers.

But curious to get a sneak peak, we reached out to Eric to talk about his mind-blowing work.

Where does your inspiration for your work come from?

These days it’s mostly about finding a good balance between an interesting light, a dancer, and a background. I travel a lot to find great landscape and from there, I see how I can incorporate my work into what I see. For the light-painting shapes I’m doing, the inspiration comes mostly from Kim Henry, the dancer I work with. She takes a pose, and I follow her movement with my light-tubes.

How do you think it was born in you?

I’ve always felt an urge to create some visuals. Something that can make some sort of impact, but it was highly undefined. I didn’t really know what it could be and I never really looked for it. I was not even considering that I could do this through photography. I did a lot of user interface design, graphic design, and playdough. Light-painting was not something I was interested with and it came to my life after a succession of various events. It’s only when I started to make a few that I discovered that it could be used as a professional tool and that there were some crazy amazing light-painting artists out there.  The thing with this technique is that even if it’s super old, it is so under-exploited. There are so many different ways of doing it, and in the next years, we’re going to witness more specific genres and signature styles that is going to make this technique get more recognition.

Where do you find your most inspirational moments happening?

No doubt when I’m outdoors and the conditions are hard (strong winds, cold, waves…)! When things get complicated, there’s always something magic that happens. Or at worse, if we can not get a good picture, then we have a good story. For studio work, it’s very different. We think of different ways to move with the light to generate visuals that make the viewer try to figure out what’s happening. I love showing the process to demonstrate how simple the light-painting is. The surrounding tech is quite complex but it runs smooth enough so we don’t have to worry too much about it, meaning we can concentrate 100% on the creative part.

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