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A Photographer’s Guide to Winter in Eastern Hokkaido

Lisa Michele Burns — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 11:11:50 +0000

Exploring the Wildlife and Natural Wonders of Eastern Hokkaido For photographers seeking quiet landscapes and wildlife opportunities, there’s a different pace to winter in Eastern Hokkaido, Beyond the ski fields and busier resorts of the western side of Japan’s northern island, the landscape opens into something far more spacious. Frozen lakes sit beneath low winter light, steam rises where geothermal activity meets the cold air, and wildlife moves quietly through snow-covered terrain. It’s not a destination built around a single landmark or viewpoint. Instead, the appeal lies in the variety within a relatively compact region. Forest, coastline, volcanic activity, mountains and wetlands all sit within a few hours of each other, each offering a distinct photographic approach and adventure. On top of the landscapes, you have the wildlife that inhabits them. From the elusive snow fairies Shima-enaga, to foxes, eagles, swans, bears, and deer. The region delivers continual surprises, with the chance to slow down, explore quietly, and photograph amongst some of the most diverse scenery you’ll find in Japan. This guide focuses on key locations and experiences well-suited to winter photography, drawing on my personal adventures. From lakes shaped by geothermal activity to coastal drift ice and wildlife encounters,...

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Beyond the Bamboo Grove: Photographing the Quieter Side of Arashiyama

Lisa Michele Burns — Sun, 25 Jan 2026 06:08:59 +0000

A Photographer’s Guide to Arashiyama, Japan Arashiyama is one of Kyoto’s most photographed areas, and for many visitors, it begins and ends with a short walk through the Bamboo Grove. It’s an iconic scene, tall green stalks arching overhead and light filtering through the dense forest, but it’s also one of the most crowded stretches of pavement in the city, if not all of Japan. I’ve visited Arashiyama twelve times, yes twelve, Kyoto is one of my favourite cities, and each time I expect my favourite spots in Arashiyama to be suddenly overwhelmed by crowds, but to my surprise, they’re still not, despite the Bamboo Grove mere minutes away, seeing thousands of tourists packed like sardines along the path. Every time I go to write this guide, I hesitate because I don’t want the quieter places spoiled; however, I noticed on my most recent visit that new cafes and stores are starting to open up along the route I walk, and it would be nice to see them get a little more love and foot traffic. Plus, one of the temples in this guide now has a new ticket machine, so I’m assuming it’s gaining in popularity already, particularly in...

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What I’ve Learned One Year After Building a Travel Photography Community

Lisa Michele Burns — Tue, 13 Jan 2026 09:06:42 +0000

Reflections on community, confidence, and finding creative connections When I first created The Travel Photography Club as an extension of The Wandering Lens, I thought I had a fairly clear idea of what photographers would want. From years of guiding photo tours, running online courses, and mentoring photographers, I assumed the next logical step would be more resources, more eBooks, and more structured learning. More content to work through in one dedicated space. A year on, I can see that while those things matter, they were never the heart of it. What surprised me most was how quickly the focus shifted away from content and towards connection. As the club grew, so did a steady sense of belonging, with photographers joining from all over the world. What began as an idea scribbled in notebooks and developed via many months staring at a screen, has become a global creative community. When I was deep in design mode, planning content and worrying about all the what-ifs back in late 2024, it felt far-fetched to imagine the space becoming something truly special. In focusing so closely on what needed to be built, I lost sight of what it might become, even if the...

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Travel Photography for Beginners: Where to Start (Without Feeling Overwhelmed)

Lisa Michele Burns — Tue, 13 Jan 2026 06:00:05 +0000

Photographing your Travels – A Quick Guide to Getting Started Starting to focus on photographing your travels can feel exciting and intimidating in equal measure. There is so much advice available, so many images to compare yourself to, and an endless list of things you could learn. It is no surprise that many beginners feel unsure where to begin. The good news is that while settings knowledge, quality gear and creative onfidence are eventually something you’ll develop or acquire, you don’t need it when starting out…although a camera of any kind is helpful for obvious reasons! Your photography journey should start with curiosity, observation, and giving yourself permission to learn as you go. It’s about enjoying the experiences you’re having, just as much as the images you’re capturing. This guide is not about doing everything at once. It is about finding a calm, creative way to begin. You don’t need to know everything before you begin One of the biggest misconceptions about travel or landscape photography is that you need a solid technical foundation before you can take meaningful photos. In reality, learning too much too soon often leads to overwhelm and hesitation. It is completely fine to begin without...

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Photographing Puma in Torres del Paine National Park, Chile

Lisa Michele Burns — Mon, 05 Jan 2026 12:33:39 +0000

Day of Adventure with Kali Travels in Patagonia As my alarm went off bright and early, I opened the curtains of my room at Remota Lodge to see the distant peaks of Torres del Paine National Park slowly waking up. This region, known for its explorer-ready landscapes, weather and sculpted peaks, is also home to one of South America’s most elusive inhabitants: the puma. Having visited Torres del Paine before, I’d explored these valleys, lakes, and trails for two weeks without ever seeing a Puma. The thought that they were there, quietly watching from the shadows, always added a certain thrill to every hike and photograph, and I admit to getting a little faster in my strides once darkness hit on my hike down from Mirador de las Torres. This time, however, things were different. As part of the Adventure Travel World Summit, I joined Kali Travel and Adventure for a full-day excursion, one that promised not only the chance to witness the park’s wildlife but to do so alongside conservation-minded guides and trackers who know the land and likely movements of these majestic big cats. The drive out was filled with anticipation, and a few little naps, before I...

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Photographing the Darwin’s Frog: A Rare Encounter in Chile’s Valdivian Rainforest

Lisa Michele Burns — Sat, 08 Nov 2025 08:47:28 +0000

Photographing the Darwin’s Frog – A Rare Encounter in Chile’s Valdivian Rainforest Deep within Chile’s Valdivian rainforest, where rain falls in patterns of gentle whispers and torrential waves, and where the forest floor glows a vibrant green beneath layers of fog, a tiny creature quietly tells one of nature’s most extraordinary stories. A really tiny creature, one with an average size of just 22 to 31mm. When researching Parque Futangue, I saw photos of the Darwin’s Frog (Ranita de Darwin) and was instantly drawn to learn more about this leaf-like little wonder. Because it’s listed as endangered, with some outlets even stating that it’s close to extinction, I assumed there would be no way I’d be lucky enough to photograph one on my ATWS pre-summit adventure with the Adventure Travel Trade Association and Sernature Chile. Then I met Felipe, our guide at Parque Futangue and a fellow photographer who shared images he’d captured during his years guiding in the park. While it could never be guaranteed, he explained that there was a chance we might encounter one along a specific guided trail within the reserve. I couldn’t put my MC-20 2x teleconverter on fast enough. A Frog Unlike Any Other...

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The Power of Community in Adventure Travel

Lisa Michele Burns — Fri, 07 Nov 2025 09:22:05 +0000

As the Chamamé music began on stage, supporting Mauricio Kusanovic of Las Torres Patagonia as he made his closing remarks at the Adventure Travel World Summit in Puerto Natales, Chile, I felt a sudden wave of emotion. I told myself, “Lisa, keep it together, be professional”, but looking around the room, one filled with industry leaders, media, and tourism operators, everyone was up on their feet, smiling, hugging and dancing. The emotion was shared, the kind that’s created from an immersive experience we all knew had been so special. It was my first time attending a summit, and while my emotions caught me off guard, it’s clear that bringing together a like-minded group of delegates in this way fuels connections, growth, and empowers change in an industry known for its ability to create experiences and positively impact communities far and wide. Two weeks prior, I had arrived in Chile expecting inspiration from the landscapes and nature. I’d visited the peaks of Torres del Paine National Park previously, and knew I was in for a treat when it came to exploring more of the country’s environmental diversity in Parque Futangue, for my pre-summit adventure. As someone who lingers on the introverted...

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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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A Photographer’s Guide to Southern Arizona

Lisa Michele Burns — Sun, 22 Jun 2025 02:43:39 +0000

Southern Arizona is defined by its distinctive desert scenery, wide open spaces, and a surprising variety of environments to photograph. Around Tucson, the Sonoran Desert is on full display, with forests of saguaro cacti, rugged mountains, local wildlife, and skies that light up at sunrise and sunset. While it is easy to picture endless sand and heat, you will find new scenes and changing conditions in every direction. From winding mountain drives to historic city streets, there is plenty here to keep your camera busy. This guide highlights some of the best spots in and around Tucson, Arizona for photography. You will need a car to reach most of these locations, and it is worth preparing for the conditions. Weather in southern Arizona can be unpredictable, with temperatures shifting quickly and the sun often intense, even in cooler months. If you can, visit in spring or autumn, when temperatures are moderate and exploring is much more comfortable. Thanks to local Tucson Photographer, Rebecca Clark Andrino for writing and photographing this guide. You can find Rebecca on Instagram via @rc_photostudios Location: Gates Pass Gates Pass is a dreamy landscape to photograph with its vibrant golden hour glow and rusted colored earth...

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17 Natural Wonders to Photograph Around the World

Lisa Michele Burns — Tue, 22 Apr 2025 09:13:25 +0000

There’s something truly humbling about standing in front of a vast desert dune or watching icebergs drift silently under a pastel-pink sky. Over the years, my journey as a travel photographer has taken me to places that feel like the Earth is quietly showing off, unveiling landscapes carved by time, shaped by weather, and filled with colour and life in the most unexpected forms. Each trip has been more than just a chance to take photographs. They’ve been filled with moments to connect with nature, with stillness, and with that childlike sense of awe we often forget in the rush of daily life. From the soft silica sands of Whitehaven Beach to the towering spires of Bryce Canyon, these natural wonders have not only filled my camera with images, but also helped me develop a deep appreciation for the wild beauty of our planet. I wanted to pause and reflect on the places that have inspired me the most, places that remind me why we travel, why we explore, and why it’s so important to protect the environments and landscapes we photograph. Below is a collection of 17 natural wonders I’ve been fortunate to photograph, each unique in its beauty,...

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Wildlife Encounters Through the Lens of Travel Photographers

Lisa Michele Burns — Mon, 24 Mar 2025 03:26:04 +0000

Wildlife Photography Adventures – Photographers Share Their Favourite Encounters Wildlife has a way of surprising us, making us wait for the moment, and displaying an array of behaviour, patterns, and experiences that have us smiling behind the lens. Our best images are often unplanned, fleeting, and also, a little humbling. From African plains to Austrian cemeteries, this collection of wildlife experience is compiled with work from the talented members of The Travel Photography Club. Each image reflects not only the beauty of the animals encountered but also the patience, creativity, and respect that go into photographing wildlife in the wild. Please note there is one image of an animal relocation for conservation purposes, an important experience that contributes to the welfare and future of the Black Rhino population. Scroll down to explore a wild world through the lenses of our talented members… The Experience: Photographing the Elusive Otters of Scotland Photographer: Suzanne Easton (Website | Instagram) Photographer’s Notes: The otters in Scotland are elusive. It takes time, patience and planning to see them. They emerge with the tides, hunting along the shoreline and in the shallows for crabs, fish and octopus. This otter had been moving along the shore in...

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Field Notes: Landscapes and Lupins with the OM-3 by OM SYSTEM

Lisa Michele Burns — Thu, 06 Feb 2025 07:57:47 +0000

OM-3 Review : User Experience + Creative Possibilities Well, hello there OM-3. Just announced by OM SYSTEM, this new camera is a game changer for creatives and I’m going to share my recent experience working with it to photograph landscapes and lupins in New Zealand. There are sample images plus a whole bunch of behind-the-scenes visuals to show you what the art tools and camera functions look like. If you enjoy experimenting, playing with colour, seeing the world with a creative eye and producing images with a consistent tone, you’ll want to keep reading. There’s so much inside this compact (and cute) camera! Just a quick note, I am an OM SYSTEM ambassador, however this is an experience and user review. I knew there would be a lot of focus on the technical specifications in other reviews of the OM-3, so as you’ll see throughout the words below, I’ve taken the creative approach, sharing what I found innovative and fun to incorporate as I photographed. In December I took a secret squirrel trip with the OM-3 to New Zealand. On social media I mentioned it was my solo/self-employed Christmas party (which was also the case), however, I wanted to...

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