Canada Travel Guides for Photographers - Alberta + BC

Why Churchill Is on My Photography Radar for 2026

Lisa Michele Burns — Fri, 19 Sep 2025 05:27:09 +0000

Polar Bears and Aurora in Churchill, Manitoba, Canada. When I think about destinations that combine raw wilderness with once-in-a-lifetime photographic opportunities, Churchill in northern Manitoba quickly rises to the top. Perched on the edge of Hudson Bay in Northern Canada, this beautifully remote Arctic gateway offers a rare mix of luminous night skies, rare wildlife sightings, and unique ways to experience them. After learning about the region over coffee with the team from Travel Manitoba, I started researching and exploring the adventures possible for photographers (and myself!) who are keen to visit in 2026. I already know it’ll be a destination that fills my memory cards faster than the northern lights dance across the sky! Here are the experiences that have firmly placed Churchill on my radar for 2026. #1 Aurora visible up to 300 nights each year Churchill sits directly beneath the auroral oval, making the northern lights a near certainty, rather than a chance encounter, visible up to 300 nights each year. Having photographed aurora in Iceland, Greenland and across Scandinavia, plus the Aurora Australis in New Zealand, the concept of an easier hunt sounds very enticing! I don’t think I slept a wink on my first...

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Columbia Icefields – Hiking on the Athabasca Glacier with IceWalks

Lisa Michele Burns — Wed, 20 Mar 2024 10:40:27 +0000

Photographing in the Columbia Icefields of Canada At first glistening crunch, I knew I was back in my happy place. Hearing the sound of ice crunching beneath my crampons, watching as the ice sparkled before my eyes, and marveling as my mind attempted to soak in the immense beauty as it piled in icy chunks toward the head (the top). Glacial landscapes are an environment like no other, and I’m about to share how you can walk upon one! Athabasca Glacier in Alberta, Canada, is one of the most accessible glaciers in the world. Located within the Columbia Icefields on the Icefields Parkway, it’s roughly a one-hour drive from Jasper and two hours to Banff. While you can cruise on by and catch views from the car, it’s beyond worth stopping and staring a little longer. Or, spending a few days gazing upon the magnificent mountainside formations if you’re like me and can’t bear to look away. What makes this glacier so special is that you’re able to get up close to something that’s normally the result of a multi-day hike, hidden in a distant alpine valley. Glaciers are formed when snow accumulates over time, turning to ice over many...

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Stay in the Canadian Rockies – Basecamp Resorts

Lisa Michele Burns — Tue, 06 Jun 2023 12:38:56 +0000

Hotels in Banff + Beyond – Where to stay in Canmore, cosy cabins and more… The Canadian Rockies conjure up visions of days spent hiking, photographing wildlife, canyons, alpine lakes, and epic scenery. If you’re planning a trip, I want to share a personal accommodation recommendation with you that will allow you to experience staying in a few spots, soaking up a little of each town and its surrounding photography locations. Let me introduce you to Basecamp Resorts. A collection of lodges, apartments and cosy cabins scattered throughout the Rockies region of Alberta, and Kootenay Rockies of British Columbia. You’ll find them in Canmore, Banff, Baker Creek, Golden and Revelstoke, all the spots I’d suggest someone visit if they’re exploring the Rockies for the first time. They’re well-located, sustainably focused, affordable, and stylish – quite the blend of goodies I look for when researching where to stay. From May 1st 2023, they’ve also partnered with One Tree Planted and are donating a percentage of each guest’s reservation to replant trees in either Alberta or British Columbia. With the goal of planting 75,000 trees annually to help restore local forests, create habitats that encourage biodiversity, and make a positive social impact...

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Experience The Great Bear Rainforest at Farewell Harbour Lodge

Lisa Michele Burns — Wed, 25 Jan 2023 11:18:56 +0000

Visual Hotel Review: Farewell Harbour Lodge, Canada Taking a deep breath as I sat on the boat’s bow, sunshine as warm as the tea in my hand beaming down, water lapping gently on the hull and my camera already filled with images of Grizzly Bears. I closed my eyes and began to imagine what this scene must appear like when viewed from above… There we were, a little boat floating amongst towering mountains rising from an archipelago of islands in a calm water cove where bears roam the shores while humpbacks and orcas cruise the seas. A palette of greens blending into blues within the largest intact temperate rainforest in the world! Opening my eyes again proved this place is in fact a reality… Welcome to the Great Bear Rainforest of Canada and in particular, one very special corner of it called Farewell Harbour Lodge on Berry Island. Here the word lush takes on a new meaning as forests home to some of the oldest and largest trees meet waters so full of life you can barely travel a few minutes without seeing seals, dolphins or the gentle giants of the sea cruising by. Words fail to describe the calmness...

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Photographing from a Canoe on Lake Louise, Canada

Lisa Michele Burns — Fri, 27 May 2022 02:47:56 +0000

Lake Louise Canoe Hire – A little tale of my experience Paddling across the turquoise glacial wonder that is Lake Louise, I had a very reluctant paddler on board, my underwater housing. Along for the ride to purely capture the views, I tucked it safely in front of the canoe and cruised around to find some great vantage points for split-level underwater images. With an overnight dumping of snow, the surroundings of Lake Louise were like the inside of a snow globe. Forest pines were covered in a think powdery coating, rocks along the shore had their fair share of snow sprinkles too and the mountain peaks were looking tip top. Getting their intense blue hues from glacial rock flour that’s carried by melt-water from the overhanging glaciers, the lakes of Banff National Park are extremely photogenic. Rather than standing on the shore with my camera, having an underwater housing provided me with the opportunity to photograph a fresh angle from the lakes surface. Standing in line to hire a canoe, I was the only solo traveller, everyone else was paddling away from the boathouse at a pretty decent speed, having 2-3 paddlers on board. There I was, feeling...

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Photogenic Experiences in Whistler, Canada

Lisa Michele Burns — Wed, 03 Jul 2019 21:26:38 +0000

Getting snap happy in Whistler this summer! Fresh mountain air…there’s something so inspiring about being surrounded by it, letting it fill your lungs as you hike, paddle or simply sit and stare at the scenery. Alpine regions have long attracted photographers for their rugged landscapes and on a recent trip to Canada, I explored one of the best, Whistler. Long known as the number one ski resort in North America, Whistler has been attracting international crowds for years, in fact it’s quite a challenge to walk down the main street without hearing the odd Aussie accent. Whether you can ski (I can’t!), snowboard, mountain bike or regular old hike there’s something to fulfill every adrenaline junkie’s dream but there’s also some very photogenic experiences that funnily enough involve sitting down. I’ll confess, when I set out to write this guide I had a list of the locations and adventures I wanted to share, then I noticed that there was a comfy little connection between most of them…they involved sitting on your derrière and snapping happily away as the magnificent scenery passed by. Can photography get any better than that? Actually it can, there’s always the chance of seeing a bear...

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Behind the Lens – Policeman’s Creek, Canmore

Lisa Michele Burns — Tue, 19 Feb 2019 12:43:25 +0000

A Canadian Rockies photography location you have to see! Where alpine scenery rises above a calm, reflective creek, home to one chunky little beaver. I had heard about this spot from every photographer I met throughout my time in Canada, yet it seemed to remain a relative secret to the non-photo crowds. Unlike some of the photo spots noted in my guide to Banff National Park, Policeman’s Creek is very unassuming. There are no signs, no real path, just a track that’s been left by photographers and locals who visit regularly. It’s no complete secret but you definitely won’t find tour groups and hordes of tourists, there’s just silence…and one of the best photography locations in Canmore! A few days prior there had been a huge dumping of snow which left behind some shimmering traces to remind us that winter was most definitely on the way. Alas, it was still technically autumn so tones of reds, orange and yellow were very much visible throughout the woodlands as we hiked the tiny 10-minute path from the car…my kind of hiking! My friend Jana had visited the day before so we met up so she could lead the way to what she...

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A Guide to Photography Locations in Banff National Park

Lisa Michele Burns — Sat, 09 Feb 2019 05:03:18 +0000

A Photographer’s Guide to Beautiful Places in Banff National Park, Canada Glacial Lakes – Waterfalls – Rugged Peaks + so much more! As mist wafts through the valley and snow capped peaks rise above reflecting turquoise lakes I couldn’t help but think to myself, that Banff National Park is perfection. The Canadian Rockies are one of those dream destinations for most photographers and from the very first glimpse, the mountains draw you in with their stoic presence and alluring beauty. Banff National Park offers all the scenic wonders you could ever wish to photograph and depending on your season of choice, you can experience ice caves, turqouise lakes, snow covered forests or lush green meadows. From Castle Mountain to Lake Louise and all the beauties of the lower Icefields Parkway, you could easily spend months exploring around Banff without repeating locations or trails. As a photographer, I know that priorities always lie in finding those ideal photo spots to capture a destination so my time in Banff was spent researching the best vantage points and photography locations in order to compile this guide. Yep, horrible job I know. Below you’ll find a map to my curated list of the best...

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Golden, BC – Alpine Adventures at Purcell Mountain Lodge

Lisa Michele Burns — Mon, 05 Nov 2018 23:59:38 +0000

Visual Hotel Review – Purcell Mountain Lodge Coordinates – 51°15’39.1″N 117°18’56.1″W Flying over alpine wonders in a private helicopter, gazing upon landscapes you’ll be exploring in the coming days as you keep your eyes peeled for grizzly bears. It’s not your average way to get from A to B but wow, if an arrival to Purcell Mountain Lodge doesn’t put you in the adventurous mood, nothing will. More than 3,000 acres of mountain meadows, ridges and peaks surround this luxury lodge where you can unplug and truly soak up the spirit of the Canadian wilderness. With the rim of Glacier National Park a mere metres walk away, Copperstain Mountain across the valley and Sir Donald looming to the west, you’re spoilt for choice as to which direction to look first. From your room, views of glaciers compete for attention alongside fields of wildflowers in summer and frosty the snowman territory in winter. A Backcountry Retreat in British Columbia Purcell Mountain Lodge has been operating since 1990 and rests at 2200m in altitude in the Purcell Mountains, a short 10minute helicopter ride from Golden in British Columbia. From your room, views of glaciers compete for attention alongside fields of wildflowers in...

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Revelstoke + Golden, BC – A Kootenay Rockies Photography Guide

Lisa Michele Burns — Tue, 30 Oct 2018 09:09:00 +0000

Your curated travel guide to Golden and Revelstoke, British Columbia. Roam where the woods appear taller, the alpine views are uninterrupted, and the vibe is all about outdoor adventures. Welcome to the chilled-out national park corridor of the Canadian Rockies, the Kootenay Rockies. Here you won’t find the crowds of Banff and Jasper, instead, just a short drive west from Lake Louise through Yoho National Park will reveal a photogenic wilderness in British Columbia. There are hiking trails, ski fields, lakes and view-points around every corner. If you’re visiting the Rockies, you need to allow for a few days to cross provinces and explore around Golden and Revelstoke, their small-town charm and nearby photography opportunities are hard to beat. So, let me get started on proving why it’s worth visiting by sharing some of the best photography locations and outdoor experiences you can have in and around Revelstoke and Golden! From walking with wolves to helicopter rides over mountain peaks, scenic lakes and seeing bears, below you’ll find a map, then scroll down for further details on some of the photogenic highlights from my time in the region. MAP: Photography Locations in and around Revelstoke + Golden. Photogenic Experiences +...

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Underwater Photography: Kayaking Glacial Meltwater in Canada

Lisa Michele Burns — Thu, 21 Jun 2018 00:18:16 +0000

Hidden high in the Lillooet Range of British Columbia, Canada you’ll find vibrant turquoise streams of glacial meltwater. This natural phenomenon only happens for a few weeks each year and I have to say, photographing this landscape in is something I’ll never forget. Melting rapidly as summer creeps in, the streams produce an intense clarity and a brilliant blue hue which provides a striking contrast against the surrounding snow-covered landscape. During the winter months the glacial lake is completely frozen over with snow covering the lake lying metres below the surface. Once Spring arrives in May, the lake begins to slowly thaw out, revealing colourful meltwater streams around the edges and creating what looks like a watery race track seemingly made for adventurous kayakers. Every word in the thesaurus relating to beautiful, stunning and awe inspiring is relevant. Above the surface of the meltwater alpine peaks and pines loom amidst rocky outcrops and white slopes. Below the surface a patterned floor of ice dimples ranging from a few centimetres in width to crevices more than 8ft deep in places provides a fascinating canvas to photograph. The conditions for split-level images was perfect. I’ll be honest in saying that it’s taken...

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