I had an American recently tell me that they wanted to travel the world, but they didn’t know where to go. They asked me for advice on countries to explore that had ample natural beauty and diverse landscapes. They were expecting me to say some far away place, but instead I suggested they start with their own backyard 🇺🇸 ⠀ I mean, how many other countries are home to epic desert landscapes, huge mountain peaks, white sand beaches, beautiful lakes, the biggest trees on the planet, magical waterfalls, AND hundreds of glaciers...? I can only think of the USA. ⠀ I explained to this person that their own country is one of the most diverse and beautiful in the entire world, with endless opportunities for exploring. The conversation then moved on, but she came up to me 15 minutes later and said she still couldn’t get over what I said. She had never viewed her own country in that way and thanked me for helping to open her eyes to all the possibilities. ⠀ This wasn’t the first time this had happened to me. People are often surprised when I say the USA is my top recommendation for outdoor travel. I’m not saying that the US has the absolute best of all those types of sceneries, but in one epic road trip you could get a taste of a huge diversity of landscapes... and that is pretty freaking cool in my opinion! ⠀ LOCATIONS OF PHOTOS: 1️⃣ Death Valley, CA 2️⃣ North Cascades, WA 3️⃣ Redwoods, CA 4️⃣ Kenai Fjords, AK 5️⃣ St John, USVI 6️⃣ Adirondacks, NY 7️⃣ Death Valley, CA 8️⃣ Glacier Bay, AK 9️⃣ Columbia River Gorge, WA 🔟 Dry Tortugas, FL ⠀ P.S. I have a coffee table book featuring all the US national parks if you’re interested in checking it out (link in bio) #RoamingAmerica

YOUR MOST ASKED QUESTIONS: PART 4 ⠀ 📷 Q: How do you take photos in super popular locations? / How do you never have any other people in your photos? ⠀ A: When first getting into photography I did wonder how the professionals never had anyone in their photos (besides their intended subject). I was traveling to some crazy popular destinations and found it almost impossible to capture the scene without a ton of people in it. Over the years I’ve learned a few tricks: ⠀ ✨BE PATIENT - I couldn’t tell you the amount of times I’ve waited on the side of a mountain or in front of a particular structure for a gap in tourists... sometimes for hours! You’re not more entitled than anyone else when it comes to snapping your photo, and that often means playing the waiting game. It’s not super fun but part of the job when you’re doing this professionally. ⠀ ✨TIME IT RIGHT - If you can, consider going during off-peak times. For example, this may be on a weekday, for sunrise, or during a destination’s off-season. ⠀ ✨SHOOT QUICK - Sometimes you’ll only have a few minutes (or seconds) to get your shot. Make sure you have your camera set up and ready to go, and utilize burst shooting and auto focus to capture the shot as fast as possible. ⠀ ✨GET CREATIVE - Think about how you could set-up your composition so that it cuts out the crowds and limits distractions. Sometimes that means getting down low or playing around with different foregrounds. ⠀ ✨CHOOSE WISELY - If you’re not a fan of crowds then maybe don’t go to the popular spots. If you do your research you will nearly always find a similar alternative that has way less people. Don’t be that person who knows a spot gets busy, chooses to go there anyway, and then complains the whole time about how much they hate it 🤷🏼‍♀️ ⠀ ✨EDITING - I often find spot healing and clone stamping to be useful tools in editing out the odd person that made it into the frame. You’re always better to capture the image as best you can in camera, but editing is a nice backup tool for when you aren’t able to do that. ⠀ Do you have any other tips for shooting in popular destinations? Leave them in the comments below so we can all learn ☺️👇🏼

TRAVEL GUIDE TO THE BIG ISLAND OF HAWAII 🌴 Click the link in my bio for an in-depth guide to planning an incredible getaway to the Big Island! #ad ⠀ My recent visit with the @Westin was my 3rd time exploring the Big Island. I’ve always been blown away by the diverse landscapes, amazing food, and incredibly kind locals. My December visit was no exception and it was so nice to see familiar and new parts of the island... and soak in some much needed sunshine! ☀️ ⠀ Is Hawaii on your bucket list for 2020? ⠀ (It should be). When it comes to trip planning for the Big Island, I would highly recommend staying at the newly renovated @WestinHapuna. We loved the location, the resort’s exceptional hospitality, and the overall focus on wellness that was intertwined into every part of our stay. This beach overlook (pictured) was right next to the resort and one we enjoyed watching sunset from multiple times during our stay ☺️ #GetReadyToRise

YOUR MOST ASKED QUESTIONS: PART 3 ⠀ 🌍 Q: What are the best places you have traveled to so far, and would recommend to others? ⠀ A: In no particular order 👇🏼 (corresponds with the images in the carousel above) ⠀ 🇨🇦 Canadian Rockies 🇵🇫 French Polynesia 🇺🇸 United States 🇳🇿 New Zealand 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scotland 🇦🇺 Australia 🇮🇸 Iceland 🇰🇪 Kenya 🇮🇹 Italy ⠀ 🌍 Q: Is there anywhere that you visited that you didn’t like or wouldn’t recommend? ⠀ A: To be honest... not really! There are places that I’m not in a huge rush to return to (e.g. Paris, any Vietnamese overnight train, Florida in summer) but overall I haven’t reeaaallly disliked anywhere I’ve been. I think you can always see some kind of beauty or take something away from any new culture. Sometimes it’s those uncomfortable travel moments that you end up learning the most from 😉 ⠀ Are any of these featured destinations on your bucket list?

From one of my all time favorite mountain views ⛰✨ {Swipe to see a horizontal version from the same afternoon!) ⠀ •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• ⠀ YOUR MOST ASKED QUESTIONS: PART 2 ⠀ 📷 Q: What camera do you use? 📷 ⠀ A: I predominately shoot with the Sony a7Riii mirrorless camera (but did recently rent the a7Riv and loved it). If you’re curious to know about all my photography gear, I just created a ‘What’s In My Camera Bag’ blog post (2020 edition). Click the link in my bio to check it out! ⠀ 📷 Q: What is your favorite lens? ⠀ A: This definitely depends on the situation, but I would say my most reached lens for is the Sony 24-70mm f/2.8. ⠀ 📷 Q: What programs do you use to edit your Instagram photos? ⠀ A: Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop for desktop, with some adjustments on my phone before posting to social media. ⠀ •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• ⠀ These photos were captured with the @SonyAlpha a7Riv and 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master lens • IS0 100 • 1/250sec • f/8 • 60mm • #BeAlpha #AlphaCollective

YOUR MOST ASKED QUESTIONS ✨ I love hearing from you guys, but I do get a lot of the same questions pop up in my DMs and comments... SO I have decided to do a little series of posts answering your most asked questions! ⠀ 📷 PART 1 📷 Q: How do you take selfies? / Who takes your photos? ⠀ A: My husband, @MatthewHahnel, takes the majority of my portraits. We run our business together, he is open to me directing him on the kind of photo I want, and we have learned how to work well together over the years. ⠀ In saying that, you don’t need an Instagram husband to take beautiful self portraits 😉 I have learned a thing or two over the years about taking solo selfies. Here are my top tips👇🏼 ⠀ {Save this post to refer to later} ✨Invest in a tripod. Yes, they are kind of awkward to travel with but they make taking self portraits WAY easier. ✨Use the self timer function of your camera (some also have built in intervalometers), or use a remote control shutter release. ✨Before you run into frame, use a prop (like your backpack) to focus your camera on something where you will be standing. This will avoid any out-of-focus shots. ✨You can also ask someone to take the photo for you! Make it as easy as possible by setting up the shot for them. Obviously use your judgment and be careful about who you pass your camera over to. ✨Try not be to embarrassed. Yes, you probably look quite silly standing there posing in front of a tripod. But does it matter what those people around you think? You’ll probably never see them again... ✨Try using a prop if you’re a little awkward. This will give you something to do with your hands and could be as simple as using your jacket, hat, or bag. ✨Go when the crowds are smallest. This usually means getting up early! ⠀ That’s all IG will give me room to write! You’ll find more tips on my blog (link in bio) 💛 ⠀ Important: Don’t be an asshole when trying to take your selfies. Always be kind and respectful, share the location, and offer to help others get their shots (i.e. be a good human).

I took some time off social media between Christmas and New Years. The funny thing is, I regularly have forced social media breaks throughout the year - e.g. when I’m in the backcountry, on a long haul flight, or in a remote location. But that’s the difference, those instances are forced and not really my choice to make. I never mindlessly reach for my phone in those circumstances, yet in every day life I find myself unconsciously scrolling and using social media as a source of distraction 📱 There’s nothing inherently wrong with that, but I just didn’t like that it had become such an ingrained habit. During my break I found that it wasn’t really until day 3 that I stopped mindlessly clicking on my favorite social media apps (usually IG or Twitter). I literally didn’t even realize I was doing it until the app would open up... isn’t that crazy?! It’s such an automatic behavior 🤷🏼‍♀️ I’m obviously back online now, but moving forward I do want to keep remembering to be as mindful as possible about what I’m consuming on social media. I’m not necessarily limiting my app usage, but I am catching myself when I start scrolling for no real reason other than for distraction or procrastination. Whats the longest you’ve ever had a social media break for? Did it change the way you use the apps?

It has been such a beautiful and soul-fulfilling year, but definitely not without its messy moments and challenges. If you’re curious to read more, I just published my annual wrap-up blog post: 2019 Reflections & 2020 Intentions {click the link in my bio} ✨ ⠀ I also want to say a massive THANK YOU for being a part of my journey, for all your support, encouragement, and inspiration. I love this community and I’m stoked to have you along for the ride in 2020! Have a wonderful New Years 💛 ⠀ This photo was from one of my favorite travel moments of 2019, on the island of Taha’a in French Polynesia {swipe to see a BTS phone video of the whole rainbow} 🌈

I’ll be taking the next couple days off social media to recharge, reflect, and plan for 2020. There are so many positives to being able to connect and share online, but I do find my best thinking and creativity happens when I’m unplugged. I encourage you to do the same before we move into this next decade... you may just be surprised what your mind comes up with when it’s given a break from the constant bombardment of other people’s thoughts, opinions, and work 💛 Cabin: @TyeHaus, Washington

Happy holidays everyone! ❄️ Whether you are celebrating in the snow or sun, I hope your day is filled with joy 💙