Inspiration is Everywhere
- Heather Beckstead
- Mar 28, 2018
- 3 min read
As a photographer I love to travel. I enjoy exploring new places, trying new things and meeting new people, capturing the detail and wonder of each new experience. Although there are so many wonderful places to shoot, the places I have visited with camera in hand the most often would have to be:
Elie, Fife, Scotland
Las Animas, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Whiteshell Provincial Park, Manitoba, Canada: There is so much to do and see in the Whiteshell Provincial Park – from Pine Point Falls to the Petroglyphs, but one of my favourite places to shoot is Pinawa. Pinawa is a small community which was built around the Old Pinawa Dam. Although the Dam was closed in 1951 – it was designated as a Provincial Park in 1985 and is a lovely location to shoot with it’s waterfalls, rushing water, and, of course, the old decommissioned dam. A fabulous location to shoot portraits, landscapes or simply be one with nature.
Elie, Fife, Scotland: There is something magical about a seaside village where, when the tide is out, the tall sail boats rest on the sandy sea bed and people play cricket on the beach. The Kingdom of Fife is full of glorious vistas from standing stones and castles, to rolling hills and seaside hideaways. With it’s long sandy beaches, crashing waves and old ruins inspiration is everywhere. I love to shoot everything from the small tide pools and sand ripples left by from the waves, to the details in the old stone buildings and monuments throughout the shore and the countryside.
Las Animas, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico: There are many beautiful areas in and around Puerto Vallarta, but one of my favourite day trips is the hike from Boca de Tomatlan to Las Animas. Getting the bus from the Old Town to Boca is an adventure in itself – but once you arrive in Boca the bright blue green water with its golden beach is enough to make you need to stop and catch your breath. The hike to Las Animas begins on the beach, winds up a staircase between some really interesting local homes and continues on a dirt path taking you up hills, and through valleys until you reach Las Animas. Along the way you will find hidden waterfalls, tropical flowers, spectacular beaches (both rocky and sandy) and birds galore.
Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada: Ever since my first visit to the Canadian Rockies as a child – there has been something about the mountains that I have found incredibly welcoming and comforting. From the majestic mountain peaks to the valleys and the canyons, the Canadian Rockies are a photographer’s dream to explore and enjoy. The whole park comes to life at the end of the winter melt, which leads to the vibrant wild flowers that fill the valleys and mountain meadows in the summer. The fall is stunning with its rich red and orange leaves contrasted with the teal coloured glacier fed lakes in the fall and the snow covers everything like a blanket in the winter, peaceful and serene. Banff National Park (most especially the area around Lake Louise) with it’s spectacular vistas, rampant wildlife, wildflowers, babbling brooks and glaciers will always have a special place in my heart.
Let me know what you think about the images I have captured in my favourite places – and share your favourite places in the comments. I feel a road trip coming on!
Comments