fp-main-img

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.

Oh, hey! Now that I have your attention with my ph

Oh, hey! Now that I have your attention with my photo of a cute 🐨 and since Australia still needs our help, here’s a list of organizations we can support and donate to that are doing important work now and will do the work of recovery and restoration for people and animals once all 🔥 have cleared: @rspcaqld, @nswrfs, @ifawaustralia and @action4ifaw, @cfsfoundation & @foodbankaus
.
Puerto Rico needs our help as well and @wckitchen continues to be a great org for the island whenever help is needed but I also love what the @hispanic_federation Unidos Program is doing and if you speak Spanish there’s even more to dig into with them 🇵🇷
.
For you travelers, don’t cancel your plans to visit either of these. They need our responsibly-spent tourism dollars. Go where it’s safe to go and be a customer of businesses who keep their profits in the community. 🧳
.
While we’re talking about orgs worth supporting, here are a few evergreen ideas for human rights and the environment ‼️ @350org @immfamtogether @raicestexas @urgentactionfund @humanrightswatch @allhandsandhearts @mercycorps @projecthopeorg @beclimateneutral @rainforestcoalition‼️
.
Whenever I can give, I start with @charitynav to vet where my money goes and how it’s used.
.
If all this just seems too heavy, check out @goodgoodgoodco. They’re sharing the news of all the people, ideas and movements that are changing the world for the better. Good Good Good [my words here ➡️] comes from an all important place of positivity to remind us that though the world can seem like one never ending disaster, hope is not lost. Hope is never lost unless we simply choose to stop having hope.
.
Look for the good!! ❤️

Getting back on here for 2020 a little late but be

Getting back on here for 2020 a little late but better late than never, yeah? Happy New Year!
.
Do you have any travels planned yet? With all the talk of a “new decade” it can seem like a lot of pressure — to have big trips on the calendar and to be thinking big with regards to travel — but if you’re like me, it’s better for mental health to not compare yourself to others and to do what feels right for you.
.
For me, that means less trips overall but more meaning in the travel I will do. If there’s a resolution for my 2020, it’s don’t do anything just to do it.
.
Wishing you and yours good health, happiness and peace in the coming months! 🙏🏼♥️

This December and holiday season has been one of t

This December and holiday season has been one of the most difficult in memory and December has a history of being difficult in my life. Even though I can’t be with those I love most for this holiday, I can keep them close thanks to the Nest Hub from @GoogleNest which is the perfect digital photo frame. Live Albums take the work out of updating the photos on my Nest Hub display by letting me create an album that automatically adds photos of those who matter to me most. For me that’s a mix of friends and family all around the world, some of which I’ve shown in this carousel from past holidays. Nest Hub even makes it easy to see vertical photos because it automatically pairs two to fit the screen or displays horizontal photos by themselves. I think Nest Hub is the perfect holiday gift because it helps preserve memories all year long and helps keep family and friends close even when you’re apart like I am from mine this year. If you use it like I do, it’s a live frame constantly keeping important people and moments close.
🎄
And I’m glad to partner with Google to host a GIVEAWAY where you could receive one too:
• Like this post
• follow @GoogleNest
• & tag someone you’d like to gift this to
... for a chance to win a Nest Hub on which you can re-live and enjoy all your precious Holiday memories like I do. ❤️ Giveaway winners will be chosen by the sponsor. #giftfromgoogle

I heard a rumor that there’s only a day or two l

I heard a rumor that there’s only a day or two left before the @secondhome_la Pavilion closes at La Brea Tar Pits here in Los Angeles. So if it’s something you’ve seen or heard about and you were waiting to go to, don’t wait anymore. I recently had the chance to see it when my dear friends @mumhad1ofthose & @descurran were visiting from London, and I was relieved to find it is free to enter. I’m always a fan of art that’s free for all to experience because it’s one of the most beautiful things in life. And while I understand it can’t always be free, when it is, it removes that barrier to entry and gives everyone the chance to be inspired in the way art can be inspiring and entertaining.
.
Anyway, the #secondhomela pop up “tent-like” structure designed by SelgasCano known as an art sculpture is part of Second Home which is a socially responsible British business with a belief that diversity makes creativity stronger. They create spaces that bring diverse groups of people together and that’s something I admire. While it has been here in LA, it has hosted live music, performance art, talks, dances and screenings. Their hashtag is #lovelettertoLA but they might as well say it’s a love letter to humanity and what can happen when we come together in a safe space where differences are celebrated and community is valued.
.
That being said, the co-working and private offices spaces that Second Home offers which are permanent are not exactly affordable. But this is a feed about travel and that’s another conversation for another day. If you’re traveling around Los Angeles this weekend, stop by the Pavilion before it closes and let me know what you think of it.... 😉💛
.
.
.
#kaguideLA #discoverLA #publicartwork #publicartinstallation #selgascano

Didn’t sleep well last night after seeing my dea

Didn’t sleep well last night after seeing my dear friend @neumarc’s Stories from a Venezia where there is a flooding event occurring, bringing high tides just shy of the devastating record-high “aqua alta” of 1966. St Mark’s Basilica is flooded. Which, before 2018, had happened only 4 times in more than 900 years. Or only 6 times total in 1,200 years depending on what and where you read online. 🙀 Because Marco is my friend, I worried for his safety and I still worry as the danger is not passed.
.
It’s stamped a much more personal note on a crisis that I’ve already been aware of and have been trying to do my part to combat. We can try to ignore it, we can choose to believe it’s not as bad as some say or even that we can’t do much to change things. But we can. And we must.
.
We all have hundreds of choices a day that, made the right way - can help make a difference. We can try to eliminate all single use plastic from our lives. We can fly less and take cleaner transportation when we do travel. ✈️ We can donate to organizations that plant trees which absorb co2 or even more importantly, give to organizations that protect old trees from being cut down since older trees absorb co2 more rapidly than younger trees. 🌳 We can vote in representatives and leaders that believe there is a climate crisis and that will fight to make laws and processes that will combat the problems. You can request that your energy supplier only use clean energy - something Danté & I have done here in California. 💡 We can unplug or power off our tech when we’re not using it. 🔌 We can choose not to waste food, grow our own food, eat less meat and buy local whenever possible. 🥬🥕 We can choose to walk, ride bikes or take public transportation instead of an Uber or Lyft. 🚲 We can choose to buy less and consume less. And so. much. more.
.
I know it’s not always easy to see how these actions might directly have a positive effect on lessening the occurrence of floods or wildfires. But they do. Research has proven that. We just have to choose to listen. And act. If not for ourselves, then for those we care about. ❤️

Like I said yesterday, I partnered with @Ford and

Like I said yesterday, I partnered with @Ford and @LonelyPlanet to discover greater Los Angeles. #ad A map, that was painted on a wall just off Melrose, acted as the springboard for my adventures into the history and culture of Los Angeles. 🌴 My first stop was the mural which then led to Olvera Street, created in 1930 “to preserve and present the customs and trades of early California." Today the area boasts many vendors who are second or third generation sellers as well as museums dedicated to Chinese, Italian & Mexican heritage. 🇲🇽 Next I visited downtown’s Central Library, home of LA’s written history, beautiful rotundas and (when I was there) an exhibition of Ansel Adams photographs. 📚 Then Highland Park Bowl, home of LA’s oldest bowling lanes and a dynamic spot to just hang out. It has a bar area with a steampunk-meets-vintage-sports vibe. The restored lanes are backed by a stunning mural that looks like it depicts California’s iconic Redwood and Sequoia trees. 🎳 I was happy to see the Original Farmer’s Market was part of this map-based exploration since it is one of my favorite places to go where the French store Monsieur Marcel is usually my first stop if I am planning a picnic or want a bottle of wine for a special occasion. It’s also a great choice if you’re craving multiple cuisines and want to share lots of small plates with friends. There are grocery vendors, a toy shop, a stall with the largest selection of hot sauces that I have ever seen and more. 🇫🇷 Ending closest to our home at El Capitan theatre, I watched a movie from a balcony seat which took me back to the days of going to plays and musicals with my mom when I was a kid. 🎭 After perusing all the classic black and white Hollywood photos in the hallways, I was pretty much the last one to leave before seating for the next showing started and what was happening outside? Of course, setup for a movie premiere! 📽 Check out my Stories for video from all these stops 🚙 #everydayexplorations

I’m excited to bring you two posts telling the s

I’m excited to bring you two posts telling the story of how I partnered with @Ford and @LonelyPlanet to discover greater Los Angeles. #ad A map, that was painted as a mural on a wall just off Melrose, acted as the springboard for my exploration of the history and culture of my city. I traveled around from Highland Park to Hollywood to Downtown Los Angeles to discover and document five total spots represented on the map. Have you ever wanted to know more about the Mexican culture of Los Angeles or the historic theaters that often host the premieres for the movies crafted in and outside of Hollywood? Then you will enjoy what I have to share! I’m looking forward to sharing more tomorrow and here is a teaser from my journey, an image captured in an area that’s dedicated to celebrating, preserving and protecting the city’s past. Check out my Stories today and tomorrow for a deeper look into the whole journey with videos from the spots I found on the mural. #everydayexplorations

Thrilled to announce I’m partnering with @passio

Thrilled to announce I’m partnering with @passionpassport for their latest Instagram Challenge with @hoteltonight. The big question is - what role does spontaneity play in your travels?
.
Are you a “fly by the seat of your pants” traveler or do you like to plan ahead? ✈️ Do you prefer your days to be all scheduled out? 📝 Or do you like to have the freedom of unplanned discovery that can lead to pleasant surprises? 🤔
.
I believe not every journey should have a planned itinerary and I’ve come to think that way because most of my best travel memories were made in the space that a lack of planning provided. That’s why I was so happy to find out the theme for this particular challenge. 😍
.
Head on over to the #passionpassport feed to see the instructions for how to enter and possibly win up to $2,500 in #HotelTonight booking coupons. I’m looking forward to seeing all your entries and picking a winner with my fellow judges. 🎉 You have until November 19th at 11:59 EST to show us your #PPSpontaneity 😉🤩 Good luck! 🤞🏼

Load More... Follow on Instagram

Oh, hey! Now that I have your attention with my ph

Oh, hey! Now that I have your attention with my photo of a cute 🐨 and since Australia still needs our help, here’s a list of organizations we can support and donate to that are doing important work now and will do the work of recovery and restoration for people and animals once all 🔥 have cleared: @rspcaqld, @nswrfs, @ifawaustralia and @action4ifaw, @cfsfoundation & @foodbankaus
.
Puerto Rico needs our help as well and @wckitchen continues to be a great org for the island whenever help is needed but I also love what the @hispanic_federation Unidos Program is doing and if you speak Spanish there’s even more to dig into with them 🇵🇷
.
For you travelers, don’t cancel your plans to visit either of these. They need our responsibly-spent tourism dollars. Go where it’s safe to go and be a customer of businesses who keep their profits in the community. 🧳
.
While we’re talking about orgs worth supporting, here are a few evergreen ideas for human rights and the environment ‼️ @350org @immfamtogether @raicestexas @urgentactionfund @humanrightswatch @allhandsandhearts @mercycorps @projecthopeorg @beclimateneutral @rainforestcoalition‼️
.
Whenever I can give, I start with @charitynav to vet where my money goes and how it’s used.
.
If all this just seems too heavy, check out @goodgoodgoodco. They’re sharing the news of all the people, ideas and movements that are changing the world for the better. Good Good Good [my words here ➡️] comes from an all important place of positivity to remind us that though the world can seem like one never ending disaster, hope is not lost. Hope is never lost unless we simply choose to stop having hope.
.
Look for the good!! ❤️

Getting back on here for 2020 a little late but be

Getting back on here for 2020 a little late but better late than never, yeah? Happy New Year!
.
Do you have any travels planned yet? With all the talk of a “new decade” it can seem like a lot of pressure — to have big trips on the calendar and to be thinking big with regards to travel — but if you’re like me, it’s better for mental health to not compare yourself to others and to do what feels right for you.
.
For me, that means less trips overall but more meaning in the travel I will do. If there’s a resolution for my 2020, it’s don’t do anything just to do it.
.
Wishing you and yours good health, happiness and peace in the coming months! 🙏🏼♥️

This December and holiday season has been one of t

This December and holiday season has been one of the most difficult in memory and December has a history of being difficult in my life. Even though I can’t be with those I love most for this holiday, I can keep them close thanks to the Nest Hub from @GoogleNest which is the perfect digital photo frame. Live Albums take the work out of updating the photos on my Nest Hub display by letting me create an album that automatically adds photos of those who matter to me most. For me that’s a mix of friends and family all around the world, some of which I’ve shown in this carousel from past holidays. Nest Hub even makes it easy to see vertical photos because it automatically pairs two to fit the screen or displays horizontal photos by themselves. I think Nest Hub is the perfect holiday gift because it helps preserve memories all year long and helps keep family and friends close even when you’re apart like I am from mine this year. If you use it like I do, it’s a live frame constantly keeping important people and moments close.
🎄
And I’m glad to partner with Google to host a GIVEAWAY where you could receive one too:
• Like this post
• follow @GoogleNest
• & tag someone you’d like to gift this to
... for a chance to win a Nest Hub on which you can re-live and enjoy all your precious Holiday memories like I do. ❤️ Giveaway winners will be chosen by the sponsor. #giftfromgoogle

I heard a rumor that there’s only a day or two l

I heard a rumor that there’s only a day or two left before the @secondhome_la Pavilion closes at La Brea Tar Pits here in Los Angeles. So if it’s something you’ve seen or heard about and you were waiting to go to, don’t wait anymore. I recently had the chance to see it when my dear friends @mumhad1ofthose & @descurran were visiting from London, and I was relieved to find it is free to enter. I’m always a fan of art that’s free for all to experience because it’s one of the most beautiful things in life. And while I understand it can’t always be free, when it is, it removes that barrier to entry and gives everyone the chance to be inspired in the way art can be inspiring and entertaining.
.
Anyway, the #secondhomela pop up “tent-like” structure designed by SelgasCano known as an art sculpture is part of Second Home which is a socially responsible British business with a belief that diversity makes creativity stronger. They create spaces that bring diverse groups of people together and that’s something I admire. While it has been here in LA, it has hosted live music, performance art, talks, dances and screenings. Their hashtag is #lovelettertoLA but they might as well say it’s a love letter to humanity and what can happen when we come together in a safe space where differences are celebrated and community is valued.
.
That being said, the co-working and private offices spaces that Second Home offers which are permanent are not exactly affordable. But this is a feed about travel and that’s another conversation for another day. If you’re traveling around Los Angeles this weekend, stop by the Pavilion before it closes and let me know what you think of it.... 😉💛
.
.
.
#kaguideLA #discoverLA #publicartwork #publicartinstallation #selgascano

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!

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

Yosemite and Sequoia: Tips for Visiting these National Parks thumbnail

October 7, 2019

Yosemite and Sequoia: Tips for Visiting these National Parks

Genesis G80: test drive in California thumbnail

September 25, 2019

Genesis G80: test drive in California

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

FEATURED BY

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