Combining Fun with Fun!

Hikers on the Plain of the Six Glaciers trail in Banff National Park.

My photography takes me all over the Western United States and Canada.  I love to travel.  In fact, these days I seem to do more hiking and photography out of state than I do within.  I guess I just enjoy searching out new destinations, and sometimes need a break from repeat local trips.

Travelling can have its negatives though, too.  It typically means I'm away from my family for extended periods of time while travelling alone.  Now that my kids are older and involved in competitive sports, it's can be very difficult to find a time when the entire family shares a window with nothing going.  But when it happens, it can be special!

I love being able to combine photography trips with a family vacation.  I know other photographers who shy away from this for various reasons.  But I have always been able to make it work without cheating either activity.  Shoot in the early mornings and evenings, and play with the family all day!  And if I can compose some images of the family in action, all the better!

This photograph from Banff National Park in Canada was taken during such an experience.  I believe I spent the morning at Moraine Lake for sunrise.  Then I went back to camp to my awaking family and we got ready for a day of hiking! 

This scene was captured along the Plain of Six Glaciers trail, above Lake Louise, with the steep face of Mount Victoria serving as the backdrop.  My daughter and I also scrambled up Fairview Mountain on this trip - her first 9,000' summit!  Can you tell I love the memories?

This image has been a popular one, and has been published multiple times.  It is currently being used by an editorial website in the media design & publishing sector.  But of course, what is most special to me is that my family is included!

If interested, you can view more images from this trip to the Canadian Rockies, and others, in my Canadian Rockies Gallery.  I hope you enjoy!

More Than Pretty Landscapes

As a Landscape/Nature/Wildlife photographer, I'm always striving to put myself in the best possible position for success.  This means researching my subject material well in advance, and keeping up-to-date with any last minute influences (forest fires, road/trail closures, etc.) that might affect my goals.

It's easy to be so focused on your primary objective that you unknowingly put blinders on to other elements or stories along the way.  I know, because I have been guilty of it many times.

The drama of this scene, while hiking up the West Fork of the Wallowa River in the Eagle Cap Wilderness of Oregon, pretty much hit me over the head.  The number of logs that had come down stream and were stacked against this bridge was incredible.  And while some damage had occurred, amazingly, the bridge remained mostly intact.

This story spoke to me on many levels:  Nature's power, the resiliency of the bridge under such forces, and how the importance of trail maintenance and budgets for such play such an important role in being able to continue to enjoy hiking to our favorite spots.

After spending several moments simply taking it all in, I dropped my pack and composed a few images of this scene - mostly for the memory.  However, they have served me a bigger purpose as well.  This particular image is currently being used for a worldwide editorial story on trail repair.

I guess it just goes to show that the road to our destination can be just as important as the destination itself!

If you wish, you may view images from the Wallowa Mountains and Eagle Cap Wilderness in my Wallowas Gallery (Sorry, I don't have a "trail damage" gallery.  Maybe I should!)

As always, thanks for looking.  Have a great winter and I hope to see you on the trail in the spring!