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MY NAME IS KIRSTEN

I’m a travel photographer based in Los Angeles! I’ve worked in more than 50 countries on 6 continents but I’m not done traveling yet. The biggest passion that drives me is using my skills to tell visual stories that are socially conscious and environmentally responsible. Learn more…

Whether he is an artist or not, the photographer is a joyous sensualist, for the simple reason that the eye traffics in feelings, not in thoughts.

– WALKER EVANS

Instagram Kirsten Alana

Follow my daily posts to see where I am and what I’m currently working on! I also provide travel tips and historical details in my captions so you can use my feed like your own personal guide book.

If you’re aware of @travelmassive — I’ll be

On this #givingtuesdaynow I’m reminded of the fa

On this #givingtuesdaynow I’m reminded of the fact that if COVID hadn’t happened, I’d be just getting back from a vacation to Scotland. Ironic given there’s no money for things like vacations now. There’s not even enough to cover rent and food with the pandemic decimating my ability to earn a living and postponing or canceling all the work I should have had. What a luxury it would be to have money for a trip!
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And yet, all around the world, the real luxury is what I have so often taken for granted: that today [at least], I do still have a roof over my head, food to eat, clean water to drink and safe air to breathe. So while things seem difficult, the reality is, I’m tremendously blessed.
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And though I feel that just like Earth Day should be every day, so too should we be giving every day and not just on #givingtuesday — at the same time, I think it’s a positive thing to take a day to stop and think, if I’m in a position to give anything, even if it’s just my time, my voice, fifty cents or fifty dollars; then I should. Give.
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So that’s what I’m doing today. Giving what I can, and using my voice. When I wake up in the morning, I want to stare at the reflection of a person who was always aware of her privilege and always ready to give more. What kind of reflection do you want to see staring back at you? ❤️

Right now I was supposed to be in Scotland. That w

Right now I was supposed to be in Scotland. That would have been followed by an almost 2 month string of projects in Europe with a few days in Paris and the French countryside. An early birthday present to myself. A plan I was looking forward to with such hope and optimism it was nearly tangible. That is, if life had gone according to plan. But of course it didn’t and we’re all in the same boat. I’ve talked to so many of you in DMs about canceled trips, postponed plans, lost opportunities and much delayed gratification.
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What to do?! Lots of people are publishing posts on how to make travel a part of our lives at home..... many seem just like SEO grabs to me. A few suggestions are surprisingly lovely. Have you stumbled upon any tips that work for you??
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Last night, we sat on our balcony with its pots of flowers and cheerful hummingbirds. And we drank a Provençal Rosé procured from a small market just a few blocks away. Cold and crisp, it took me back to all the lovely memories I have made while traveling in the past. It was better than any virtual tour I’ve tried....

For #nationalparkweek and #earthweek - a moment ca

For #nationalparkweek and #earthweek - a moment captured during a flight over Denali National Park in Alaska on assignment with the ATTA. It’s a simple love letter in one still photo, to our stunning Mother Earth and to our National Park system. Both of which have my ❤️. And that’s all this time, that’s the caption 💙🌍🌏🌎💚

I wasn’t sure what to say for this #EarthDay, or

I wasn’t sure what to say for this #EarthDay, or even if I should at all with the pandemic. A lot of people are talking about how great it is that the 🌍🌏🌎 is getting a break from us without ever addressing the high human cost of that benefit. 💔 As if there is no trade off. And I get it, it’s nice to read about improved air quality and cleaner waters. But not in the same way it could be when we are hourly worrying about our family members who work in health care and our elderly relatives who already have enough health problems. Or our friends, spouses and children who are immunocompromised. Or all the people who have died and still will die.
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Then I had a breakthrough of sorts: worrying about the planet is more relevant than ever. Quite simply because if we entirely stop caring about the planet, if we take the pressure off now, we won’t have a place to call home. To #stayhome in.
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The well being of all humans, of all animals, of everything on this spinning globe — is interconnected. What will benefit us in the long term is finding ways to help, that help everyone and everything. That bring about balance. And we have a distinct opportunity to continue to do just that if we don’t take our foot off the metaphorical gas just because other things are also important right now but instead if we keep up the pressure on our elected officials and on ourselves. To continue to make the right choices. If we do that, we all win.
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In that spirit, I put together a short blog post with a few simple things you can do to help while you stay home on this Earth Day. I didn’t mention all the obvious things you hopefully already know, I didn’t mention all the things I am trying to do; instead I went for simple [possibly new to you] ideas. I hope they help you. I hope wherever you are, you and yours, are all safe + healthy.
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Photo from the @brooklynbotanic, shared as a love letter to my former home city of New York. It hurts my heart to see NY struggling more than others and I am thinking of all who call it home now 💕

Checking in to say, how are you? . . . Sometimes I

Checking in to say, how are you?
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Sometimes I feel it’s been a year since we all began to just look at the world from our windows, instead of seeing the world first hand. A day feels like a week and a month like half a lifetime and we aren’t, I don’t think, near the end yet. And if only all our views were as great as this one that Alice is enjoying during our trip to India. But I comfort myself knowing the world will still be there for us to explore again when we can. It’s not going anywhere. This is just a season, like winter. Which results in glorious Spring. Rebirth and renewal. It’s a result that’s always worth the wait. And if all else fails, then I know, this too shall pass. Nothing is forever. Including quarantine. ❤️

Thinking of you all, how are you? How are you copi

Thinking of you all, how are you? How are you coping?
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I’m still taking a break[ish] from my feed to give my time to being there for people via DMs, video chats and text messages. And I just re-started my Q&A for a cause in Stories. Come check it out and help me spend money to help others. I’m not asking for any money from you, I’m asking you to help me spend some of my savings to help others. 💗
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Photo from last Spring here in Los Angeles. One of my favorite streets near Griffith Park. I wish it was the street we live on so I could look out our window and see all this pink as I #stayhome But I’m ever so grateful for the hummingbirds we do have that visit our balcony. Did you see my video of that in Stories? Want me to share like that again? We are all #inplacetogether and doing this to #stayhomesavelives - let’s keep our eye on the ball and #flattenthecurve 😉 Thanks for doing your part 🙏😘

I’m sorry that the way I communicated made anyon

I’m sorry that the way I communicated made anyone feel bad due to the caption of my last post. I meant to be there for those who are struggling and feel they are doing so without adequate support. To, for a moment, consider the high, heartbreaking costs that we’re paying for any benefit of any size that this time might bring [to the planet, to human connectedness et al].
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I also seemed to fail in making it clear that I am in support of beauty, humor, hope, of staying busy - if that’s what works for you. We all handle difficult times differently. So many human beings needs these things to cope. I need these things to cope.
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Who are you following online right now that’s providing what you need? And what are they doing that helps you?
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I’m signing off from posting to my feed for a bit. This week and my own sickness — which may or may not be COVID-19 because there are *still* not enough tests here in LA for me to qualify to take one — took so much out of me that I feel more broken than ever. I tried to rest yesterday, and it wasn’t enough. I will still be here for anyone who needs me in DM. Especially those stuck in domestic abuse situations or who feel they don’t have support anywhere else.
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Much love to all of you ❤️ Please #stayhome and stay safe + healthy.

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If you’re aware of @travelmassive — I’ll be

On this #givingtuesdaynow I’m reminded of the fa

On this #givingtuesdaynow I’m reminded of the fact that if COVID hadn’t happened, I’d be just getting back from a vacation to Scotland. Ironic given there’s no money for things like vacations now. There’s not even enough to cover rent and food with the pandemic decimating my ability to earn a living and postponing or canceling all the work I should have had. What a luxury it would be to have money for a trip!
.
And yet, all around the world, the real luxury is what I have so often taken for granted: that today [at least], I do still have a roof over my head, food to eat, clean water to drink and safe air to breathe. So while things seem difficult, the reality is, I’m tremendously blessed.
.
And though I feel that just like Earth Day should be every day, so too should we be giving every day and not just on #givingtuesday — at the same time, I think it’s a positive thing to take a day to stop and think, if I’m in a position to give anything, even if it’s just my time, my voice, fifty cents or fifty dollars; then I should. Give.
.
So that’s what I’m doing today. Giving what I can, and using my voice. When I wake up in the morning, I want to stare at the reflection of a person who was always aware of her privilege and always ready to give more. What kind of reflection do you want to see staring back at you? ❤️

Right now I was supposed to be in Scotland. That w

Right now I was supposed to be in Scotland. That would have been followed by an almost 2 month string of projects in Europe with a few days in Paris and the French countryside. An early birthday present to myself. A plan I was looking forward to with such hope and optimism it was nearly tangible. That is, if life had gone according to plan. But of course it didn’t and we’re all in the same boat. I’ve talked to so many of you in DMs about canceled trips, postponed plans, lost opportunities and much delayed gratification.
.
What to do?! Lots of people are publishing posts on how to make travel a part of our lives at home..... many seem just like SEO grabs to me. A few suggestions are surprisingly lovely. Have you stumbled upon any tips that work for you??
.
Last night, we sat on our balcony with its pots of flowers and cheerful hummingbirds. And we drank a Provençal Rosé procured from a small market just a few blocks away. Cold and crisp, it took me back to all the lovely memories I have made while traveling in the past. It was better than any virtual tour I’ve tried....

For #nationalparkweek and #earthweek - a moment ca

For #nationalparkweek and #earthweek - a moment captured during a flight over Denali National Park in Alaska on assignment with the ATTA. It’s a simple love letter in one still photo, to our stunning Mother Earth and to our National Park system. Both of which have my ❤️. And that’s all this time, that’s the caption 💙🌍🌏🌎💚

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Get social by following me on these platforms but make sure to engage so I can get to know you back!

Earth Day 2020: Tips and Advice thumbnail

April 22, 2020

Earth Day 2020: Tips and Advice

7 Reasons to Visit San Francisco in 2020 thumbnail

January 30, 2020

7 Reasons to Visit San Francisco in 2020

Small Business Saturday: What and Where to Buy thumbnail

November 30, 2019

Small Business Saturday: What and Where to Buy

Dia de Muertos: what it is and how to experience it in Los Angeles thumbnail

November 6, 2019

Dia de Muertos: what it is and how to experience it in Los Angeles

A Guide to Visiting Franconia thumbnail

November 2, 2019

A Guide to Visiting Franconia

See where I’ve been, where I am and where I’m going next…

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DISCLAIMER | PRIVACY | WEBSITE BY FURTHER BOUND | Portraits of Kirsten by Danté Vincent | COPYRIGHT © KIRSTEN ALANA 2008-2020