Photography has always been at the very root of my travel ever since I took my first big roadtrip with Matt Shiffler and he converted me from iPhone 4 status to a fancy Nikon d3300. I carry a pretty top of the line Nikon nowadays but often times i find myself just using my phone.
Funny enough, I picked up a 180 euro Fujifilm Instax Evo 40 Mini while in Germany and it ignited a bunch of creativity and passion all over again. Simple to use, fun double exposure mode, and you can print anything from your phone not just from the camera at any time you choose. It feels simple yet revolutionary.
I’ve been on the go so much that I’m about 6 countries behind on the blog so here is a crash course in what I’ve come up with through the eyes of instant film.
Double exposure mode is probably my favorite setting on this camera. Taking a silhouette image then filling in the dark parts with the 2nd photo to really get creative and tell a story. This is the first one I attempted in Germany with my friend Kieren doing a 5 castle in one day hike near Hiedelberg.
I spent about a week in Germany exploring and tasting the beers and food. The highlight was fireworks over the castle.
I spent 23 days in Croatia from beaches to cities to mountains and it has it all. This is from the Pula Arena at sunset. Later that evening one of the famous opera singers Andrea Bacceli did a live concert that was incredible.
I couldn’t pass up the chance to meet Kurt and Katie in Italy and give them their first Dolomites experience hiking the Seceda Ridge. We took the lift up and did a decent loop spending the day in nice cool mountain air with a good beer and some wildflower frolicking to end it.
My first venture into Turkey was a quick 2 days in Istanbul. The food, the amazing streets and mosques and such a unique culture. Camille and I did a ton of walking and went into the Blue Mosque and a few great view points of the city. It is technically a city in Europe and Asia as the river splits the city and continents both. We intended on going to Cappadoccia but it was so hot was switched it up to go to Split, Croatia for a week of beach relaxing.
My first camel ride in Morocco in 115 degrees at sunset following a thunderstorm and wind/sand blast . We ended in a tent camp in the desert and we were the only one (crazy enough) as it was way to hot. We had live music and ate then went back to the hotel. Morocco is an absolute hidden gem of a country I’d never anticipated I’d like so much.
Maape safaris pulled a fantastic surprise as long time friend of Camille’s joined us on our tour of Tanzania. Wild dogs, lions, crocodiles, rhinos, owls, elephants and so much more graced us. Our guides Letaloi and Allan crushed it and we broke in a pretty new Land Rover with an exciting Safari of Tanzania and back into Kenya.
Croatia was a blast with friends from the hostel. Mary from Canada and I did a roadtrip up the coast exploring mountains, caves, and kayaking some wildly clear waters. Croatia has it all honestly. The Adriatic was so clear and you could float so easily.
Another part of my 23 days in Croatia was visiting Mark and Nevis in Sibenik had an incredible time getting beers and food with the locals. Mark took me to a secluded island swim spot as well as just mingling with the locals for pizza and pub life. Loved meeting everyone and seeing the beauty of a less popular city for tourists.
This was the castle hike and first real pic of me testing the printing of a cell phone pic (I liked it because it shows how easy it is to carry around the fujifilm camera which is a huge bonus to why I got it).
This is a Luxembourg wedding right across from the Miami University chateau where I visited Greg and Helaine. I asked them if I could take a quick picture of them and then printed it out on the spot and handing it to the mother. I think people really miss the feeling of having an image in their hands. All along the way since then I’ve left anyone I’ve hung out with , with an image of our time together.
My actual plan for these little 2×4 inch mini prints is to put special moments in my life into a journal. And how could I do that without including running the Akron Marathon in honor of Matt Tullis, my brother in law, who passed away about 2 years ago. His tattoo “stories can save us” along with his will to live life continue to inspire me today on my travels.
Another throwback image from high in the Tetons mountains is my last time camping before I moved back east. I owe the west a lot for getting me into nature, improving my wildlife photography, and backpacking thanks to Julie, my famous hairdresser roommate in the Teton Valley. We had a hell of a 4 year adventure all over the west and I miss it all.
Kenya and my first cheetah with guide Jack as this guy was on the prowl with Thompson’s Gazelles in the background on high alert. This guy disappeared into the distance but an hour later I watched a mother with 4 cubs successfully hunt and the grace and sheer speed of the cheetah will never be forgotten.
The camino de Santiago had a huge impact on me and introduced me to life long friends. One of them is Jon from the northeast of England (a diehard Sunderland fan – especially since they are top of the table right now). We set out on a 4 day coast to coast Hadriabs Wall hike with some huge days (the last day we covered 43km and a few pubs). Not long after this famous tree along the route was chopped down sadly.
If you follow Instagram I just returned from a Montréal to Nova Scotia adventure with Jon. My initial attempt was to document all 11 days with double exposures but I wanted a variety. This is a hilarious stop at the Worlds Largest Axe.
We covered 4150km over 11 days from Montreal to Cape Breton and back. Poutine in Quebec City, tons of waterfalls and hikes, 3 national parks, lighthouses and beaches and rugged coastline all while squeezing two grown ass men into a Dodge Caravan with a built out van.
This was a nice day hike to Franey mountain overlooking the bay. We had it to ourselves much like the rest of the park as these were the last few days the park was open.
One of the all time best free camping spots ever. Our own personal beach with an amazing sunset, we scavenged for firewood, had a great fire and watched the stars and got a glimpse of the comet. It doesn’t get much better than this.
A solid -2 degree Celsius morning we took a few hikes around Kouchibouguac National Park. Seeing herons, birds, and a bobcat. The only thing we didn’t see was the elusive moose. We even got a little bit of northern lights (Jon’s first time seeing them).
Beulach Falls in all its glory of fall colors and swirl at the bottom was impressive but somehow we also had it all to ourselves for over a half hour. This might be the only day Jon didn’t fall in mud with his new hiking shoes.
The Bay of Fundy was so cool. The tide rose 43 meters from low tide to high tide. It was wild to see and explore the ocean floor. Jon tried to take a shortcut and literally lost his shoe in the mud.
Peggy’s Cove is the most photographed lighthouse in Nova Scotia and you can see why. With Jon’s race car driving skills we made it just in time for sunset and it was so good we came back in the morning for this glorious sunrise. One of the highlights of the roadtrip for sure.
Nova Scotia literally means New Scotland. This patch of forest was beaming with golden colors as we explored an old Scottish hut. The leaves were falling as we walked along. It felt like a movie.
The finish to Camino de Santiago in Spain was a huge event and catalyst to where I am now with exploring the world. If you ever get the chance, do it. You won’t regret it. Walking over 500 miles creates lifelong bonds with great people .
Heysha, who I met on the Camino, met up in Italy to hike the Alta Via 1 and did this classic Tre Cime Leverado before. Got caught in a crazy hail storm but an amazing time.
My first regular season Manchester United game ended in a 0-3 loss to one of their biggest rivals. Been a fan of them for 25 years and it’s been some rough years but the game was a great experience.
Belgium was a sneaky good country to visit. It has over 3000 castles and fun cities like Ghent and Bruges to walk around. And of course waffles, chocolate and beer.
Banff Canada is a beautiful place and this sunset was doing fine on its own and then a random guy from England climbed on this rock to make it even better.
I’d been chasing the Northern Lights for many years and kept missing it until I finally took a trip to Iceland. Then this KP8 massive storm came to Ohio this past fall while visiting my Westerville crew. We all went out to Hoover Dam and watched in awe of the show. I stayed out till 2am.
The first day of the Camino was difficult but my friends from Poland, Kryschtof and Bruno, made it a joy with great conversation. The following summer I joined them on a week visit all over Poland with the entire family.
Speaking of a trip to Iceland. An 8 day solo spring break trip in a van chasing northern lights all night was worth it. I hiked out to this abandoned US plane crash on the beach at 3am in freezing windy conditions and found one other crazy person out there also taking photos.
I love this Fujifilm camera also for the simple fun of taking it to parties and just capturing occasions like Halloween where we all dressed up as dodgeball teams with custom uniforms. These little memories print out and go on a fridge nicely. That is truly the hardest part of traveling a lot is being away for long periods of time from your friends and family.
I stumbled upon a local bar in Ghent and one round of drinks turned into five. We had great conversations and laughs. When I travel I try as much as possible to not just be a tourist but find myself in the everyday life of those who have different experiences than me.
Wandering Germany with Kieren we climbed up to the top of this tower for a 360 degree view of the area. This was one of my first days using the camera and I love the composition and feel of this shot.
People often ask “what is the best place you have ever been” which is impossible to answer but what I can say is being in the presence of a wild male lion is something I will never forget. The world is so unique and I find myself in places I’ve never thought I’d be. Places that don’t feel like me but they become interesting memories.
I have so many more images to share but this was my attempt to get caught up on my travels as I was falling behind. Since my last blog I went from Africa to Turkey. I spent a few days in Istanbul then jumped to Croatia where I spent 23 days. Camille and I did a week in Split relaxing on the beach then she had to return to NY for school. I carried on to Sibenik to visit old friends Mark and Nevis. I floated in the Adriatic, hiked mountains, kayaked and explored caves (much of with Mary who I met while staying in the same hostel). We took a day trip into Ljubljana, Slovenia which was a fun city then celebrated her 39th birthday with a beer and parted ways.
I made my way to Heidelberg Germany to hang out with Kieren and Regina. Claudia made a surprise visit and the days were filled with a fireworks show, hikes, and more castles. It was good to sprawl out in my own room for a bit and regain my bearings.
Next up I stopped into Luxembourg for a week to visit Greg and Helaine staying in the chateau on Miami of Ohio’s Luxembourg campus. We had a great time trying local food, small festivals, and a soccer game as well as testing out the free public transport to see huge castles and forts. We went to Trier, Germany for a day also.
I carried on to Belgium walking the streets of Bruges and Ghent finding towering churches along canals. I indulged in a few beer tastings as Belgian beers are my favorite. And I couldn’t turn down waffles with chocolate either.
Lastly I ventured to Manchester to watch my team get a red card and lose 3-0. The weather turned to typical England dreary rain and solidified my choice to book a flight home. After 17 countries I arrived back in Connecticut for about 24 hours before I took a 11 hour drive to surprise my friends at an annual camp outing in Ohio.
A 11 day roadtrip to Nova Scotia and now I’m in Peru starting my South America journey. Hope everyone is enjoying the journey.