3 Days in Banff

Banff was one for the books! This trip went by extremely fast and it left behind special memories. David and I drove 12 long hours from Portland, Oregon, to Banff National Park, Alberta, arriving at our hotel late that night. Right away, we got out our cameras and went to shoot some astro photos.

The following morning, we woke up early and drove to Moraine Lake, just in time for sunrise. I was confident that the lake was not frozen, but to my surprise, it was rock-solid. I didn’t realize then how lucky we were for this rare opportunity to walk on Moraine Lake, and it really was breathtaking! After we got our shots, we drove back to Lake Louise (where our hotel was) and went to eat. I would definitely recommend dining at the Chalet in Fairmont. The food was fulfilling and the building looks like a castle!

On the final day of our trip, we drove back to Moraine Lake. Snow had fallen that night and the lake was covered in a layer of it.This new perspective of the lake was totally different from the bareness we experienced a few days before, nevertheless, it was dope. We explored different places around the lake, all the while the lake was melting! I threw a rock at the lake’s glass surface, and it actually cracked the ice around the shore.

We finished off the day at Bow lake before heading back home the next day. I would definitely come back because there is still so much to explore. David and I both learned a to photography snowy landscapes and are thankful for the experience!

Places we visited:

-Moraine Lake

-Lake Louis

-Bowl Lake

Tip:

-Plan ahead the destinations

Make sure your destinations are open to the public, especially during this time, since David and I found that out the hard way. We planned on visiting four lakes; sadly, Peyto Lake was closed (We got lucky to go to Moraine Lake because it closed the day we left). Many places are open all year round, but unfortunately, some aren’t, so knowing what is and isn’t will save you time and money on your trip.

More:

If you’re interested in seeing more, check out my Instagram and YouTube Channel, where I upload photos from my trips and make cool vlog videos.

Travel to Florida during Covid

Traveling anywhere, especially out of state, during a pandemic is challenging. Fortunately, Florida seemed like a good getaway place to go! David and I spent a little over a week there and I quickly noticed the heavy amounts of humidity everywhere! If you’re a photographer traveling there, I would advise to wake up early for every sunrise. I noticed the weather app on our phones always got it mixed up between being a good or bad sunrise, making it really unpredictable! Nevertheless, here are some of my favorite spots that David and I visited:

Top 5 Places to visit:

-Devils Den (crystal clear water for snorkeling)

Due to COVID-19, you have to reserve a ticket a few days prior to going, since it’s a very popular destination. I would recommend going towards the end of the day because it will be less crowded. The staff is really friendly and lenient, especially if you have a certain request. Honestly, I think this was my favorite spot we went to in Florida!

-Clearwater Beach (About 1.5 hour drive from Orlando)

This beach is one of the best Florida has to offer. The water is warm and clear, so there are a wide variety of actives to do, such as the following: snorkeling, volleyball, and paddle boarding. This is also a really great place for water-movement photography.

-Biscayne National Park (Amazing place to go snorkeling)

We paid around $100 each for a four hour snorkeling excursion off a boat. I thought there is a way to go snorkeling just outside of the bay, without actually paying, but no, you can’t snorkel there. Our tour guide was super chill and let us film what we wanted to, all without wearing the mandatory life jackets. We saw a stingray, lots of fish, and lobsters; our tour guide said he saw a shark, but sadly, we missed it. Honestly, this place is must for photographers and snorkelers alike.

-South Beach (If you get lucky, you might see a celebrity here)

The buildings near this beach are massive and I just had to get my drone out and film this place. I would say its a must if you are looking for a clean, upper-class beach, with a beautiful, tropical backgrounds for photos.

-Sea World (A great place to relax and watch a show)

I would recommend seeing the orca and dolphin shows because those are some of the finest shows that Sea world has to offer. Also, if you wanna get a sick photo, I would wait until the end of the day, after everyone has left, and go to the aquarium to get some dope shots of the sharks. David and I did this and got awesome shots; the security team was also cool and friendly about it.

More:

If you’re interested in seeing more, check out my Instagram and YouTube channel because I made a vlog and took many cool photos from this trip!