“Goin’ where the weather suits my clothes…”
As you may have noticed, I’ve been hit with a touch of wanderlust, and travel photography has been a huge part of my life the past few years. I’ve been travelling to the PNW pretty consistently for a couple of years now, but always as part of a photography retreat, or photography trip with fellow photographers. I fell in love with both Washington and Oregon on my very first trip there but had never been able to explain to my family fully why. And travelling across the country as a family is both complicated and expensive (partly because we have 2 giant doggos that can’t fly with us and need a caretaker while we’re gone), and my husband DOES NOT ENJOY FLYING AT ALL (that’s putting it mildly), so…..it’s complicated. But this June 2026 we FINALLY were able to take a trip there together……and that was incredible.
So what about this area rings all my bells?
NATURE
Nature there is just part of life, and it’s is a large part of what people “do” there. Me, I need to be somewhere where I can comfortably & happily walk outdoors in nature for much of the year. That’s the “normal walking” component. Then, add on top of that, being able to hike to the most glorious places on the planet….as well as see supernatural coastlines like nothing I’ve ever seen before…now that I know this kind of nature exists in our country, amidst so many other things I love in this area, I can’t unknow it!
You are only a stone’s throw away from spectacular nature everywhere you go. From majestic mountains to the rugged coast, to wineries, to waterfalls…the list is never ending.
Being surrounded by this kind of nature allows my mind to quiet, my breath to slow down….and for the creative juices to start flowing. I worry less about the photo being “perfect” and just concentrate on the feeling of the moment, and documenting that so when I see the photograph later, it takes me right back. Mind you, photographing while vacationing with family is tricky for sure. Their pace doesn’t always equal my pace when we’re out and about and inspiration strikes.
COMMUNITY
I love travelling and striking up conversations with locals, as well as other travelers. Especially in a place where you ask a local one question, and the next thing you know you’re writing a list on your phone of places to go, things to do, where to eat. The people in the PNW truly care about one another and are always willing to help out. We really loved all the little districts in Portland (we stayed in the Broadway district), loved the Saturday Market, and another favorite area of mine is Hood River. These Women in Black are in Hood River/The Gorge, in different shifts, and stand in silence every Friday for an hour at noon for justice and peace.
I mean, come on, you walk around a magical downtown area with bookstores on every corner, most selling a mixture of new and used books, coffee shops galore, then you drive 15 minutes to find a spectacular brewery or winery with a view of Mt. Hood? Heaven on Earth.
While we were there, there happened to be a huge Pride Event in downtown Vancouver, Washington, which unfortunately also coincided with a giant heat wave….so it was rough being downtown that day. But the community SHOWED UP.
We did almost melt with the heat wave, so we had to modify some of what we wanted to do outdoors, because it was that hot (but still not Florida humid). Not to mention, Jeff got sick on day 2, so a lot of pivoting occurred!
CULTURE
I love that this area is so walkable, and as you walk around the main streets of the different bigger cities, everywhere you turn, you find culture. A coffee shop from Egypt, gyros from Greece, vintage stores galore with stuff from EVERYWHERE.
Also, did I mention the largest independent bookstore in the WORLD (I see you, Powell’s Books, and you know I’ll be back)? With 2 separate stores in 2 parts of Portland????
I truly believe that the more you travel, the more you get exposed to different nature, different ways of living, and different cultures. All of which makes us better humans, as we strive to understand and find the common denominator, instead of focusing on the differences.
I’m grateful for these trips where I can share these places with my family, and expose my son especially to all the variety our world has to offer, by experiencing it first-hand.
Now I’m off to find out how to become a travel portrait photographer so I can fly all over and do commissioned works for people all over the world, to satisfy my wanderlust AND my artist’s soul!
If this resonates with you, and you want to work with me, or chat with me to see if you’ like to work with me, please reach out. I’d love to connect. And I’d love to make artwork with you. Let me take you by the hand and guide you through an experience like you’ve never had. It’s waaaaay more than a photo session (or so my clients tell me). It is an experience.
Until then, keep exploring. Traveling. And make time for connection. You won’t regret it.
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