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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.

When I captured this photo in @mainesmidcoast, it

Have you ever been asked if you had to choose betw

A short walk away from where I stood to take this

Last August, I visited the beautiful state of @Vis

Last August, I visited the beautiful state of @VisitMaine to create photographs for a tourism campaign that was supposed to launch in time to encourage Summer 2020 travel to three of the state’s regions. The focus was on responsible travel that supports small businesses and individuals who keep their money in their communities. Exactly the kind of tourism that makes me passionate and excited. I’ve had some extraordinary experiences with “big brands” in travel — and I am grateful for all of them — but if I could only do one thing forever in travel, it would absolutely be helping to make sure that communities truly benefit from tourism and never suffer further harm just because someone is coming to visit. I think the right kind of storytelling plays a big part in that. Of course a year ago, none of us could have foreseen what would happen with COVID or predicted how it would affect tourism. But we are re-launching #ExploreMaine now with the firm belief [and these are all my words!] that supporting the people this campaign was designed to promote, is one of the best ways to be a responsible colleague in the travel industry. I’ve watched the government “bail out” my favorite airline and others, send money to cruise brands and prop up big businesses that have other options while ignoring or failing small businesses. I feel these individuals and groups need our support more than ever. And need responsible tourism that emphasizes safety for all. If you can’t safely go now, you can bookmark our content for a later trip. So it’s in that vein that I am beginning to again share my photos and photo essays from @mainesmidcoast, @melakesmtns and @visitportland. It’s a beautiful state but the people are what really make it great. ❤️ This will be for them.❤️

Hi! 👋 Thank you for nominating me via #challeng

Does it count as travel if all I did was drive to

Does it count as travel if all I did was drive to my local plant place and feel transported to a garden in Thailand? Asking for a friend.
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J/K of course I’m asking for me. And it’s pretty much the only travel happening in my life lately but after doing a deep dive into the ethics of should we or shouldn’t we travel right now?!.... I’m erring on the side of I’m 💯 ok just traveling between the bedroom, kitchen and balcony that now has a few new plants to love on....
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Thank you @mickeysplants for finding a way to stay open yet still keep us shoppers and loyal customers safe.
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What local businesses are you still trying to support at this time? Have you invested in anything for home to make that feel more comfy or enjoyable, or more like a favorite place you’ve traveled to in the past?

Update: Congratulations @life.of.karen.today & @wo

Taking today to celebrate my friend and colleague,

Taking today to celebrate my friend and colleague, Lily, who just launched @see_thecaribbean. 🌴🌅
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It’s a collaborative initiative showcasing an authentic and green Caribbean. So if, like me, the region is on your list of places you’re seriously planning to travel to **once it’s safe** [and not before] - I hope you will follow her at @sunandstilettos & at the new account so you don’t miss a thing. She’s become one of my favorite people in travel since we worked together on an assignment in Maine last year (second photo). Though we’d met before the trip, working together while traveling always helps you get to know people in a way nothing else does. She makes being multi-talented at writing, photography, on-camera hosting, interviewing and producing look effortless. I know it’s not. And she’s stepped up as a leader during this time to help bring about better diversity in travel and greater representation for Black travelers through efforts on her own channels, in her own writing and now as a Senior Strategist for @impacttravelalliance
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Frankly, I don’t even feel I can accurately put into words all she’s continually doing and accomplishing but if you follow her, I think you will quickly see for yourself. Lily lives in the Dominican Republic, which I haven’t yet been to. And seeing it through her eyes is yet another reason I enjoy keeping up with what she shares on social. #peopleworthfollowing #seethecaribbean #thisissustainable #travelsomeday

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When I captured this photo in @mainesmidcoast, it

Have you ever been asked if you had to choose betw

A short walk away from where I stood to take this

Last August, I visited the beautiful state of @Vis

Last August, I visited the beautiful state of @VisitMaine to create photographs for a tourism campaign that was supposed to launch in time to encourage Summer 2020 travel to three of the state’s regions. The focus was on responsible travel that supports small businesses and individuals who keep their money in their communities. Exactly the kind of tourism that makes me passionate and excited. I’ve had some extraordinary experiences with “big brands” in travel — and I am grateful for all of them — but if I could only do one thing forever in travel, it would absolutely be helping to make sure that communities truly benefit from tourism and never suffer further harm just because someone is coming to visit. I think the right kind of storytelling plays a big part in that. Of course a year ago, none of us could have foreseen what would happen with COVID or predicted how it would affect tourism. But we are re-launching #ExploreMaine now with the firm belief [and these are all my words!] that supporting the people this campaign was designed to promote, is one of the best ways to be a responsible colleague in the travel industry. I’ve watched the government “bail out” my favorite airline and others, send money to cruise brands and prop up big businesses that have other options while ignoring or failing small businesses. I feel these individuals and groups need our support more than ever. And need responsible tourism that emphasizes safety for all. If you can’t safely go now, you can bookmark our content for a later trip. So it’s in that vein that I am beginning to again share my photos and photo essays from @mainesmidcoast, @melakesmtns and @visitportland. It’s a beautiful state but the people are what really make it great. ❤️ This will be for them.❤️

Load More... Follow on Instagram

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

Black Lives Matter [and more] Resources thumbnail

June 16, 2020

Black Lives Matter [and more] Resources

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

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