travel

Lisbon, Portugal

Sunny Day for Street Photography in Lisbon, Portugal

Do you ever find yourself in a photography situation where everything clicks?

The light is just right, the weather is perfect, and all the conditions snap into place for a great day of photo making?

That was me in Lisbon, Portugal, on our trip.

After we landed from our tuk tuk tour of the city, we wandered the streets of the Baixa de Lisboa neighborhood. 

Think of Baixa as a easily-navigable shopping district. The busy neighborhood follows a clean grid layout, making it feel open, orderly, and walkable.

There were a few hills, but none of the steep ones we had just toured around in the Alfama district.

And in the middle of the day, the bright sun lit up the place, casting perfect shadows on the buildings and pedestrians as we walked around.

All of this – the buildings, the sunlight, and people wandering around – made for perfect street photography conditions. It fit my style, and I took full advantage.

After taking some of these photos, I caught my breath. I was in picture heaven. 

Lisbon, Portugal

This lady, watching me take photos on the busy walkway, came up to me and started singing. Lovely!

We made our way down to the Rua Augusta to the Arco da Rua Augusta, in view of the Tagus River, then back up to the Hotel do Chiado, where we grabbed lunch at their rooftop bar. 

It was here that I grabbed what might be my favorite photo series from the whole trip.

Across from our table was this very animated Frenchman talking business with a local. The way the shadows and light fell across him made for a beautiful scene – so much so that I couldn’t stop making photos. Luckily, he didn’t seem to notice.

That night, we finished up our trip with a sailboat ride on the Tagus River. 

Shot on the Canon EOS M6 and (mostly) the EF-M 32mm f/1.4.

, , , , , , , ,

Cabo de Roca, Portugal

Sintra, Portugal Photography

Heading out from our home base of Caparica, we took a day to visit Sintra, Portugal, along the Atlantic coast and a short drive from Lisbon.

We arranged an Airbnb tour and travelled with a mother/daughter pair from Mexico. As the day started, rain clouds moved in, misting over the landscape as we came into Sintra. 

The first stop was the Pena Palace, one of the seven wonders of Portugal. Seeing it was like visiting a real-life Disney castle, but with colors and personality that made it a unique experience. 

We climbed a short way up the mountain, through a grand entry archway, and stepped up to the bi-colored palace with tons of other visitors. 

From up here, we had a great view of the surrounding area – and we could even spot Lisbon off to the East. 

Next, we took a short drive to the Quinta da Regaleira, a 19th-century estate sprawling with chapels, statues, grottoes, and an initiation well that spiraled down into a cave system beneath the grounds. 

We could have spent an entire day here, exploring the property. In between the rain, we climbed up the estate hillside and climbed down the well – over and under and through everything. 

I thought back to what it must’ve been like to live here, especially as a child, and be able to wander around the estate day after day.

From the Quinta da Regaleira, we headed to the seaside and Cabo de Roca, the westernmost point in continental Europe. 

After grabbing lunch, we stopped at the cliffside, 100 meters above the Atlantic Ocean, to see the lighthouse and marker noting the end of the Eurasian landmass. To the East were rolling hills and natural meadows. To the west? A long dive into the ocean. 

With a good tour guide (shout-out to our own Giovana!), these kinds of tours are a great way to efficiently explore parts of a new country. 

And even with the rain and inconsistent lighting, the Canon EOS M6 and stock zoom lens were all I needed to capture the day. 

, , , , ,

Costa de Caparica, Portugal

Costa da Caparica, Portugal Photography

First things first on our Portugal trip: Costa da Caparica, the little beach town we stayed in south of Lisbon.

For our 10-year wedding anniversary, we rented an Airbnb condo where, when you stepped outside the building, you were right on the beach. And believe me: coming from the chilly Midwest, we appreciated having easy access to the warm oceanside. 

All of it – the seaside restaurants, the surfers, the golden light at sunset – reminded me of California. The weather was great too, full of sunshine and an ocean breeze.

The bright sun and saltwater haze lent a summer vibe to these photos that I appreciated, especially when visiting in the middle of October. 

We loved the constant waves, too, and even kept our patio door open at night. Think of it as an ocean-sized sound machine. 

I grabbed my Canon EOS M6 and took advantage of the sunshine and summer vibes to capture some photos along the beach walkway.

Whether we were eating lunch at a seaside restaurant or walking through a Portuguese flea market, it was the perfect place to capture the local people and places.

And the light? To die for, especially approaching golden hour.

Just like California, ocean sunsets hit differently.

Caparica was a great launching point into the wider Lisbon area. We were 30-50 minutes (depending on traffic) to Lisbon, and from there we wandered up and down the coast for the few days we were in Portugal.

All photos shot with the Canon EOS M6 and a select few EF-M lenses. 

, , , , , ,

Austin, Texas

Austin City Limits

I came back to Austin, Texas, for a conference in November – the same conference I attended last year and had such a productive photography trip, walking around the city.

This year, it was much the same: beautiful, sunny weather, and a great chance to walk around downtown to grab some night images. 

I brought along my Canon EOS M6 and a couple of bright lenses to capture the nightlife around 6th Street and the surrounding blocks.

, , , , , , ,

2025 Vacation Wrap-Up

All in all, it was quite the adventure.

Our summer vacation to Nova Scotia and Maine was an endurance test for both driving (almost 70 hours worth) and photography (two weeks worth of photos to organize and edit).

There’s probably such a thing as “too much travel,” and we were right up against that limit. But we also had an amazing time and got to experience a beautiful portion of North America. 

A few final thoughts on our 2025 adventure:

  • The kids, thankfully, can now fully entertain themselves in the car. They’re old enough now to manage their activities, keep themselves busy, and not ask us parents for too much attention.
  • The driving was worth it. Yes, there was a lot. But I loved seeing Canada and the U.S. this way. I’ll never forget driving through New Brunswick and rounding a corner to see a beautiful lake at the bottom of a valley, or following the St. Lawrence River through Quebec and seeing where it empties into the Atlantic Ocean.
  • My photography kit was perfect. Having the super-compact and capable Canon EOS M6, along with a few lenses, was all I needed. I’ve created a video review of the camera – check it out on YouTube, featuring some of the photos from this trip. 

Now I’m off to work on our annual summer vacation photo book.

 

, , , , , , ,

Peggy's Cove

2025 Vacation: Peggy’s Cove, Nova Scotia

After our Halifax adventure, we took an hour’s drive to the famous Peggy’s Cove. 

As we approached the shore, we noticed the fog rolling in off the Atlantic. This would be a theme for our vacation.

It was certainly a vibe: a rocky, jagged coast, a little fishing village, and not much visibility. We could barely see the lighthouse from the parking lot, but the visibility improved the closer you got.

Reds and greens. Blues and teals. Here, colors popped out of the fog. 

Driving from the coast, we made a few stops along the way to see what else the fog was hiding.

Some of it? We couldn’t see. It’s still a mystery. 

Sometimes, photography is like that. 

Shot on the Canon EOS M6 and EF-M 22mm f/2. 

 

, , , , , , , ,

Marshville, Nova Scotia

2025 Vacation: Marshville, Nova Scotia

The first leg of our two-week vacation was along the north shore of Nova Scotia, in a little town called Marshville. It was a total throw-a-dart-at-a-map-and-hope-it-works-out location.

It totally worked out.

We’re an AirBNB/Vrbo family, and we try to get cabins on the water. This one was close enough – a short walk down a drive, then a set of stairs down a bluff, and we were oceanside.

The neighborhood was filled with quaint sea cottages, many of which proudly displayed their Canadian pride.

As always, I took the first day or two to explore the cabin and the neighborhood, exploring the light where I could find it.

Marshville was a good launching point for all our adventures. We had plenty to see along Nova Scotia’s North Shore, and it was centrally located to easily make our future drives to Halifax and Cape Breton.

Every morning, the kids watched the tide ebb and flow. And every evening, we went down to the beach to see the sunset. 

We saw the ocean in California last year, but not like this – not every day, and not this close to shore. After the kids overcame their fear of the little brown jellyfish and embraced the cold northern water, the ocean became part of their spiritual rhythm. 

The Canon M6, paired with either the EF-M 22mm f/2, EF-M 32mm f/1.4, or the M kit zoom, made for a light and satisfying travel kit.

We spent our first evening getting to know the place. The next day, we’d travel to a local beach to really take in the ocean view.

, , , , , , , ,

Back-Home Blues

Brooklin, Maine

Travel is great until you get home.

Twenty years ago, on my first big road adventure across America on Route 66, I noticed something when I got back:

As soon as I took the highway exit to get back into my hometown, I was disappointed. “Back to reality,” I thought. It’s dramatic to say out loud, but getting back home left me with the feeling that the trip was all make-believe. It was like I never left.

That feeling, that disappointment, has never gone away. In fact, just this summer, when we returned from the Atlantic coast, it felt the exact same way taking that exact same exit off the highway. 

I’m not saying we didn’t have a wonderful time, nor am I saying it would’ve been better if we never left. I am saying that coming back home to all the to-do lists, work, and obligations can be a bummer. 

It feels so good to travel, to see new places and experience new things. And then you drive away, leaving it all behind with photos and memories to keep you going until the next big adventure. Luckily, we have our fair share of future travel plans.

Real life feels like the in-between moments before the next getaway.

That’s why I advocate for taking little adventures along the way – taking a day and going hiking, say, or driving to a new small town and making pictures there. 

Whatever helps until the next escapade. 

Shot on the Canon EOS M6 and EF-M 22mm f/2 in Brooklin, Maine.

, , ,

Monterrey, Mexico: Macroplaza & Barrio Antiguo

Last year, Jaime and I visited Monterrey, Mexico, for work.

My wife and I have been to Mexico several times, but Monterrey was new for us. On the first day, we visited the Macroplaza – the main square in the heart of the city, home to museums, government buildings, and a riverwalk.

It was busy: tons of people strolling the main plaza, selling goods, and enjoying the city. What’s so fun about traveling is to be a stranger in a strange land, and to observe.

Be there with a camera and capture what’s interesting. 

After a river boat ride on the Santa Lucia riverway into Parque Fundidora, we strolled through the Barrio Antigua neighborhood just in time to browse a flea market on the street.

We grabbed dinner and stepped inside the largest antique store we’d ever seen – a multi-story museum of collectibles. 

Colors, light, sound, smells – it was a great first day in a new Mexican city. 

Photos shot on the Canon M6 and EF-M 32mm and 22mm lenses. 

, , , , , ,

Austin, Texas: Riverside

Here on the (other) Colorado River in Austin, Texas, it’s nothing but activity: boats taking tours up and down, joggers running past, couples getting their portraits taken.

Now we’re in the drab winter months, right before the holidays, and these photos – and this whole trip – make me miss the sunshine.

My conference hotel was on the south side of the river. A quick hop over and I was in downtown Austin.

The river made for a good orientation spot and a spectacular view.

Shot on the Canon M6 and a few EF-M lenses

, , , , , , , ,

CDMX

Traveling for work is still traveling. 

And Mexico City is great. 

, , , , ,

Pure Michigan

Swimming and hiking and bonfiring.

Drinking and s’more’ing and eating some more’ing. 

Finding the nature therapy you’ve long needed. Spending time with family. Introducing places like Mackinac Island to the kids, and bringing back memories with you on the ferry ride across Lake Michigan. 

Climbing to the top of a 10-story lighthouse along Lake Huron. Braving the pouring rain or the biting mosquitos. 

Grabbing your camera and capturing the last remaining light of a busy day.

It’s more than a checklist. These are all the elements of a great summer vacation. 

, , , , , ,

World of Disney

Instagram | Photo Blog

My wife’s family is a true Disney Family™ – the kind that go to Disney World in Orlando, Florida, every two years. Like clockwork. 

It is a nice break from the cold Michigan winters, and a good way to burn off all those holiday calories. My daily step count, at minimum, triples when we’re walking the parks. 

This year we had COVID to worry about, but Disney handles the pandemic crowd with clear expectations. Everyone is on their best behavior in the Most Magical Place on Earth.

For me, there are parts of Disney World that I love to photograph. The Africa and Asia sections of Animal Kingdom, for instance, or the optimistic futurism of Epcot, my personal favorite park. The Florida sun helps the bright colors and faux landscape truly shine. This year, the weather was perfect every day, and I checked off sites on my photography bucket list again this year. 

Yes, the Mexico pavilion is a fake Aztec temple, and yes, the art deco architecture at Hollywood Studio is a rose-tinted reproduction of Hollywood’s glory days. But I tend to photograph light and shadow as much as the scenery in front of me. Even if the background is Disney Fake, the light is real. That sunrise and sunset are real. The people moving through the parks are all real. 

We go to Disney World to escape. For me, one reason I go is to focus on my photography – something that usually takes a hit during the winter. 

, , , , , ,

Door County, Wisconsin

Back to Door County

20200703-IMG_8669-copy
20200628-IMG_8387-copy
20200628-IMG_8402-copy
20200628-IMG_8433-copy
20200629-IMG_8486-copy
20200630-IMG_8511-copy
20200701-IMG_8529-copy
20200702-IMG_8601-copy

We had to get away. We just had to.

So we went back to the spot we loved two years ago: Door County, Wisconsin. Same cabin property, same bay on Lake Michigan, same rustic charm and isolation that we needed so badly then and now.

And socially isolate we did. We rarely left the property, opting instead to hang out by the lake, eat Wisconsin cheese, drink Wisconsin cider and beer, and let the kids play in the water. The few times we did go out to explore the peninsula, we stuck to state parks and little shops. We ate out twice. We played it safe.

It was nice to not think about what was happening elsewhere in the country, or work, or anything else. We made new family memories, enjoyed our solitude, and drove back rested and refreshed.

The weather was perfect: lovely Great Lakes sunsets, never getting hotter than 80 degrees during the day, no rain. We stayed in a new cabin (next door to the one we stayed in last time) so I could explore the summer light. 

Just what we all needed. 

, , , ,

Goodbye, Door County

As with any vacation, getting back home feels like you never left. Even with a week and a modest agenda, time flies on holiday.

But we certainly made the best of it. One or two things per day, venturing out and about this peninsula, we felt like we went on enough adventures while still managing three kiddos.

For my photographic eyes, it was plenty. Those red cherries, that blue Great Lake, those violet lavender blossoms, the golden sunsets, and – just like Michigan – plenty of green everywhere we went.

Two out of the three kids would probably never remember this family vacation. For me, it was memorable enough to consider creating a photo book of our summer trip – a reminder of where we went and what we saw. And perhaps a reminder for if and when we consider this place again.

Thanks, Door County. We’re heading back home now.

(Check out part one, “Hello, Wisconsin,” and part two, “On Wisconsin.”)

, , , , , ,

On Wisconsin

Taking photos is how I get to know a place. With any new home, or job, or vacation destination, my camera becomes a sixth sense – another way to feel the vibes of a location.

To our family, this little corner of Door County, Wisconsin was completely new, yet spiritually familiar. We knew this lake, we knew these trees, we understood this climate. What was different was the little touches of Scandinavian culture (Lutheran Churches everywhere!), and the supper clubs, and fish boils – those little touches of Wisconsin that made us feel we were really somewhere new.

This cabin, too, reminded me so much of my grandparents’ farm house. The slanted room, the crawl spaces, the outdated furniture – it was like stepping back into my own past.

Here on the other side of the Niagara Escarpment, we felt with our eyes and tasted with our sight.

(View part one, “Hello, Wisconsin,” and part three, “Goodbye, Door County.”)

, , , , , ,

Hello, Wisconsin

We pretty much ended up here by accident.

I knew I wanted to go to Wisconsin, that upper midwest state on the other side of Lake Michigan. My dad stayed at the Wisconsin Dells, in a rustic cabin, and I figured we could do some fun family things while trying to avoid too much of the touristy parts.

But we love Lake Michigan. What if we could spend a whole week in one spot, by the big lake, and keep it quiet?

I did a bit of research, and found Door County – the little peninsula that sticks out into Lake Michigan, north of Green Bay. In essence, it’s a more westerly version of northern Michigan: cherry orchards, lakeside towns, fishing charters, and a bit of that stepping-back-in-time feeling when you visit our Upper Peninsula.

And boy did we step back in time. The cabin we found, near Sturgeon Bay, barely had cell coverage. It was barely updated since the early 1970s. It was perfect.

We had a little beach down by the lake, we could cook a random meal right there at the cabin, and it served as a launching point for plenty of fun family activities.

The light wasn’t bad, either.

(Check out part two, “On Wisconsin,” and part three, “Goodbye, Door County.”)

, , , , ,

1 2