Editorial and Travel Photographer Susan Seubert in Antarctica

Greetings!  I just returned from just over 3 weeks in Antarctica and it was yet another epic adventure spent as the National Geographic Photography Expert on board the National Geographic Explorer expedition ship.  The thing that is extremely difficult to express, in words or pictures, is the scale of Antarctica.  It is truly vast.  Every place we visited felt enormous yet when seen on a map, appeared to be just a mere speck in the context of the peninsula.  We were greeted by humpback and killer whales, leopard seals and several species of penguins.  Iceberg A57a was quite a sight, as was cruising through Antarctic sound during a beautiful sunset and moon-rise.  Of course, nothing tells the story better than photographs, so I’ve included a few here for your enjoyment.  Thank you for visiting my blog!

The National Geographic Explorer parked at the dock in Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world.

Iceberg A57a as seen from our ship.

A solitary Chinstrap penguin standing on a bergy bit in False Bay

A leopard seal hauled out on the ice in False Bay

Killer whales near Anderson Island

The beginning of an epic sunset in Antarctic Sound

The land of the midnight sun, dusk and a crescent moon in Antarctic Sound

An Adele penguin at Paulet Island

Pancake ice in Lindblad Cove

The ship parked and people kayaking in the ice at Lindblad Cove

 

Travel and Advertising Photographer Susan Seubert 2018 – The Year In Pictures

2018 was an extraordinary year for travel and exploration!  I circumnavigated Iceland (twice), sailed in French Polynesia, island hopped in the Caribbean, gave a TEDx talk in Virginia, photographed stories here in Oregon but also in Ireland and Canada, spent time surfing and snorkeling with sea turtles and other ocean creatures in Hawaii, taught a photography workshop in Arizona and explored Europe by river boat.

Below is a collection of pictures from 2018, which I hope you enjoy.

If you want to see what adventures are in store for 2019, please follow me on Instagram.

Thank you for visiting my blog and Happy New Year!

 

We started the year off in Hawaii!  Here is a Humpback whale slapping its tail against the surface of the ocean outside of Lahaina Harbor, Hawaii

My friend with an Hawaiian Day Octopus, found while snorkeling off of the island of Maui, Hawaii

After delivering my TEDx talk in Virginia, I headed off to Ireland.  The colorful streets in the Cathedral Quarter in Belfast, Northern Ireland

The Peace Bridge that spans the River Foyle and joins Ebrington, to Derry, (Londonderry), Ireland

Traditional Irish Music being played by local musicians at the Guildhall Taphouse, located in the Guildhall outside the old walls in Derry, Ireland

From Ireland, I flew to Barbados, where I would begin my Caribbean adventure.  Horses from the Bridgetown Garrison being led by their groomers into the Caribbean Sea at Brownes Beach, Bridgetown, Barbados

Sailing the Caribbean on the S.Y. Sea Cloud, a 4 masted luxury yacht

Part of our itinerary for the Scottsdale, Arizona National Geographic Photography Workshop is photographing at the Bein Horse Ranch, Scottsdale, AZ

It’s always a pleasure to participate in the Portland Gay Pride Parade, Portland, OR, USA

In June, I headed to Iceland.  Here are the famed Latrabjarg bird cliffs, Bjargtangar, Iceland.  Notice the teeny, tiny people standing on top of the bluff.

Icebergs populate the Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, Iceland

One of the beautiful fjords, Siglufjordur, Iceland

The Herring Musuem in Siglufjordur, Iceland

The Atlantic Puffin colony on Flatey Island, Iceland

One of the young participants in the Fiesta Mexicana in Woodburn, Oregon

For August, it was Canada! Customers enjoying the rooftop bar, Copper, at the Andaz Ottawa ByWard Market in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

The view of the Bytown Museum and the flight of locks 1 (one) through 8 (eight) as seen from the Fairmont Chateau Laurier, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Throughout the summer in Ottawa, yoga enthusiasts head to the property of working federal government buildings on Parliament Hill for free yoga classes; Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

The iconic view of Parliament Hill from Major Hill’s Park, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

The Elora Mill Hotel and Spa is a luxury hotel and spa in a historic building that is perched over the Grand River in Elora, Ontario, Canada

Horses, which are used by the local Mennonite population for transportation by horse-and-buggy, parked by the side of the road Elora, Ontario, Canada

Exploring the Grand River in a Punt Boat ride in Elora, Ontario, Canada

I flew from my hometown of Portland, Oregon to Tahiti where I checked into the Hotel Intercontinental in Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia

The atoll of Tahanea in the Tuamotu Archipelago, French Polynesia

Hermit crabs dining on a coconut on the atoll of Tahanea in the Tuamotu Archipelago, French Polynesia

After my adventure in the South Pacific, I headed to Budapest.  The Hungarian Parliament Building in Budapest, Hungary

A private concert at the Palais Lichtenstein, Vienna, Austria

Early morning in Regensburg, Germany

St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Vienna, Austria

The walled town of Würzburg, Germany

 

Advertising and Travel Photographer Susan Seubert Shares Her Packing Tips for Travel

Greetings!  I’m packing for my upcoming trip with National Geographic Expeditions to Iceland and I thought it might be useful to share some of the tips and tricks I’ve learned over the years about how to make traveling a little more comfortable.  I estimate that I spend about half the year on the road in hotels, airplanes, airports, ships, boats, surfboards, cars, trains and just walking around.  It can be exhilarating and exhausting, so I’ve learned a few things that make everything from camping to glamping a little more pleasant.

• Stay Organized.  The best thing to do while traveling is to develop good organizational habits.  This makes everything from passing through airport security to checking into hotels, to dealing with lost luggage, a lot easier. I photograph my luggage both inside and out so that in the dreadful event that it’s lost, I have a photo to show the airline and/or insurance company.
• Packing Cubes Are Your Friend! In March, I had to travel to the East Coast to give a TEDx talk, (you can’t wear black or red for the video), head directly from there to Ireland to photograph a 2 week story in the bitter cold, (picture horizontal rain and blowing snow while carrying a carbon fiber tripod and a heavy camera kit), then head straight to the Caribbean to teach photography on a luxury yacht, (think 90 degree heat and opulent accommodations).  Just trying to work out what shoes to take was a challenge, not to mention having to wear arctic gear for shooting outdoors as well as some nice dresses for dinner on board the SY Sea Cloud.  When I pack my clothes, I separate everything into cubes based on clothing categories: dresses, socks, pajamas, bottoms, etc… Then, using white tape and a sharpie, I label each cube with its contents.  When I’m staying in a different hotel every night, my suitcase is already organized as though it were a closet.  Even if I’m exhausted and in a dark and unfamiliar hotel room, I can always find my clean shirts and my toothbrush.

A few of my packing cubes that will go in the gear bag for padding.

• Pick Smart Travel Clothing.  Sorry guys, this is a post for the lady travelers 🙂 I wear skirts when I travel.  For one thing, they are much more comfortable for long haul flights, or hiking, than pants. They are also slightly dressier than jeans or sweatpants. I choose the Royal Robbins Cargo Skirt because it is made of stretchy, water-wicking fabric, so if you spill something, it’s easy to clean.  In my skirt pockets I can fit a small wallet, passport, iPhone X, Kleenex, a small bottle of hand sanitizer and some aspirin.  This way, I don’t have to dig around in a bag at security when they ask for my ID, nor do I have to rifle through my purse to find a credit card to buy a sandwich on the plane. I also slip a Shout Wipe into my pocket in case I spill, or am spilled on.  On my last flight to Dublin, I dripped mustard on my skirt.  I used a Shout Wipe on it on the plane, then when I got to my hotel, I just rinsed the skirt in water in the sink.  Not only was it not stained, the skirt looked freshly laundered! I wrote about my favorite travel clothes in a previous blog here, so if you want to read on, there is more info!

Royal Robbins Women’s Discovery skirt. Great for airline travel!

• Your Medicine Is the Best Medicine.  There is nothing worse than getting sick when you’re traveling.  When you are staying in a place with limited resources, it pays to pack a few extra things for those “just-in-case” situations.  My favorite cough drops are Ricola Wild Berry and are difficult to find in the best of situations.  I pick up a Family Pack size every so often and pack a snack bag of them in my First Aid kit.  It is nice to have a small comfort like cough drops when you’re feeling miserable.  I also put Wet Ones and some lavender scented organic hand sanitizer into my kit.  In an attempt to avoid getting sick, I use the Wet Ones to wipe down my airplane tray table and I use the lavender hand sanitizer on my hotel pillow, which not only kills germs, the lavender scent is a natural sleep aid. A Benadryl stick comes in handy if you get bitten by just about anything.  It’s small enough to carry and doesn’t leak like a lot of other liquids. Deep Woods OFF! Wipes are not as messy as other insect repellants and are convenient if you really need to use this powerful chemical. A pocket size of Kleenex tissues is handy for just about anything, and don’t forget to floss!
• Bar Soap. One of the latest trends in hotels is the bulk shampoo/shower gel/body lotion.  I really appreciate the fact that these decrease packaging waste.  The problem for me is that I cannot tolerate lemon scented cleaners and it seems that lemon verbena is the scent du jour.  I always carry a small bar of unscented soap in my toiletries kit when I’m gone for longer than an overnight trip.
• Sunscreen. SkinCeuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense Sunscreen is my new go-to sunscreen for the face, neck, ears, etc… It is both broad spectrum and reef safe.  I like the sample size for my kit, and then get the 50ml for everyday use.

Some of my travel essentials: Kleenex, Dental Floss, Ricola Cough Drops, Bacitracin Antibiotic Ointment in a travel size, Advil Cold &Sinus Medicine, a bar of soap, Benadryl Itch Relief Stick, Lysol Spray, EO Hand Sanitizer, Shout Wipes, Wet Ones and OFF! Deep Woods Wipes.

For those of you who are traveling to some of the cooler places on the planet, the next section is an update on my favorite travel gear.  This may come in handy if you are joining me in my forthcoming trips to Iceland, Antarctica or Alaska.

• Women’s Patagonia Down Sweater This jacket is lightweight, warm, warm when wet, packable, and provides good color for pictures.  I have two – one with a hood and one without.  You can layer them easily for extra warmth, which is a necessity when in Antarctica.

Here are my Patagonia tops, ready for the suitcase. Lightweight and stuffable!

• These Boots are Made for Expedition Travel – knee high neoprene boots from the MUCK company keep your feet dry, even when you submerge them completely for long periods of time.  They have a fleece lining for extra warmth. However, if you are traveling with Lindblad/National Geographic, you may want to consider renting them.  I tried the rentals out and they are great, plus it means you don’t have to haul them around the world – they can take up the better part of a suitcase. My Ariat Fatbaby Cowboy Boots are also waterproof, have a grippy sole with a wide toe box and are actually cute with a skirt. Keen Hiking Boots  are top notch because although they aren’t as waterproof as the MUCK Boots, they hold up well under wet conditions and are fairly lightweight.  I’ve had mine for years and although they aren’t completely waterproof, they still stay fairly dry.
• Red Ledge Rain Pants Rock! These lined, waterproof pants are the best. They are warm and unzip down both legs so as you warm up you can cool off as needed. I picked up a pair in Sitka because the ones I had bought for the trip were insufficient for the Alaska deluge. I’ve been using them ever since not only in Alaska but at both poles.
• Buff Headgearfor Warmth and Style: These are indispensable as I have very sensitive ears.  I wear them all the time in both cold and warm weather as a way to tame my hair in the breeze but also a way to cover my ears without ungainly headwear.  They make them in a light merino wool as well as a cotton/poly blend for warmer climates.  I often wear them surfing or SUPing to protect the top of my head from getting sun.  They are also good to wear when snorkeling to help keep your hair out of your mask.
• ACCESSORIZE!  I always carry a few carabiners for my water bottle and lens wipes. Drybags are better than ziplocks to keep your gear dry in the rain or while you’re transiting in a zodiac. I carry these 3 for a range of purposes. The ThinkTank Rapid Belt with a Hubba Hubba Hiney and Digital Holster are great for keeping all of your gear on hand but hands free. Each camera bag from ThinkTank also comes with a rain fly which is super handy.  I use the BlackRapid Hybrid Breathe when I’m using a 2 camera setup, and also have leashes for them.

On assignment for National Geographic Traveler in Canada at Peyto Lake with the Think Tank Camera System and my Canon DSLR cameras.

CAMERA GEAR. What’s the best choice?  This is a question I am asked frequently, and there is no easy answer.  I still carry Canon DSLR cameras.  My brain and body are molded to the form and function of these cameras.  I love the sharp glass, responsiveness of the shutter and the control over everything using external buttons as opposed to having to dig through a menu to find a function.  Even the custom function buttons on some of the newer cameras, which are designed to put those at your fingertips, don’t seem to live up to their promise, for my purposes.  That said, my new favorite travel camera is the Sony RX10 III. (Note: They have since released the RX10 IV). This is a great, all-around travel camera that is fairly compact.  What blows me away is the fact that it has a 24-600mm optical zoom!!!  Seriously.  That’s very cool.  And it’s pretty fast.  The widest aperture is f2.4-4, but what disappoints me is that it switches to f4 maximum pretty quickly, so you can’t exploit the shallow focus once you’ve gone beyond about 35mm.  But for most travel photos, this camera has everything you need to shoot both cityscapes and wildlife.  It has a burst mode, is completely silent and can be controlled remotely with your smartphone.  It’s also very easy to send an image to your phone, thus not having the inconvenience of downloading an image and then transferring it to your iPhoto library.  It doesn’t allow for interchangeable lenses, but who needs anything else with the zoom range on this camera.  And it’s optical!  So for the money, this is my pick.  I found a blog post comparing the Canon 5DMK IV and the Sony RX10IV, and it covers all the things I would cover, so here it is.

Editorial and Commercial Photographer Susan Seubert shoots Branded Content for National Geographic

In March I was sent to Ireland to photograph for National Geographic in partnership with Tourism Ireland.  I flew to Dublin where I was met by my fixer and off we went to cover Londonderry/Derry and Belfast.  We spent the first few nights covering the city of Belfast where we photographed everything from the new Titanic Museum to the Michelin starred restaurant, Ox.  The next stop was Londonderry/Derry, the famed walled city about 2 hours by car west of Belfast.  Both cities have a lot to offer in terms of historic architecture, lively music, and delicious food. You can read the story about those cities online here. A must-do in Ireland is to head to a pub and listen to some traditional folk music. In Belfast, The Garrick is a great venue to do just that.  In Derry/Londonderry, head to the Guildhall Taphouse, just outside the historic city walls, grab a pint and see who turns up for a jam session. The second part of the shoot was covering heritage towns of the east.  That story took me to some lovely locations, including Cork, Cobh and Carlingford.  At every stop, there was a mix of modernity and historically significant landmarks. I look forward to my next opportunity to visit Ireland. Go raibh maith agat!

The ruins of the 14th century Carlingford Friary, Carlingford, Ireland

The Cathedral Quarter at dusk in Belfast, Northern Ireland

Ox Restaurant, a Michelin starred restaurant in Belfast, Northern Ireland

The classic Crown Liquor Saloon in Belfast, Northern Ireland

The Guildhall and Londonderry Walls, Derry, Ireland

Buildings lit up at dusk on the River Nore in Kilkenny, Ireland

The harbor at Cobh, Ireland

The lighthouse at Roche’s Point, Cork Harbor, Ireland

Local musicians playing traditional music at the Garrick, a pub in Belfast, Northern Ireland

The exterior of the Titanic Museum in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

The Peace Bridge frames the Guildhall in Londonderry, Ireland

Musicians playing in a casual session at the Guildhall Taphouse in Derry, Ireland

 

Editorial, Commercial and Travel Photographer Susan Seubert Gives TEDx Talk at EHC

Last month I was invited to give a TEDx talk at the Emory and Henry College in Virginia and it was a smashing success!  This was my first TED talk and I was asked to address what it’s like to have a DIY career as a travel photographer for big name clients like National Geographic  and the New York Times. It was a challenge to memorize a 12 minute talk because although I’ve done a lot of public speaking, I’m used to the crutch of a podium and my computer for prompting me in the right direction.  The other pressure came from knowing that you have 6 or so video cameras trained on you, recording your every breath.  It took many meetings over Skype with the TEDx committee at the college to settle on the final monologue, which focuses on the importance of other people who help make your career and dreams possible.  The talk offers some encouraging words for young photographers, so feel free to share this with anyone who you feel might benefit.

Enjoy and thanks for visiting!

Travel and Editorial Photographer Susan Seubert shoots PDX for Travel Oregon

For the fourth year in a row, the Portland International Airport (PDX) has been voted the best domestic airport by the readers of Travel and Leisure Magazine.  Travel Oregon decided to do a story about what makes PDX such a great place for travelers and asked me to go and make photographs to support the narrative.  We featured several businesses that make Portland’s airport unique, like Powell’s Books, Blue Star Dounuts, the Hollywood Theater, and House Spirits, one of Portland’s micro-distilleries.

You can read the whole story online here.

 

Editorial Travel Photographer Susan Seubert on visiting 7 countries in 1 Month

September was a whirlwind of airplanes, trains, boats, buses, cars and globetrotting. I left PDX on the first and landed in Ireland, on the 2nd. After a quick city glimpse and a Guinness in Dublin, I boarded the National Geographic Orion. It whisked us off to a week of exploring the coastal villages and isles of Wales and England in true National Geographic style.

The most photographed of all the Georgian doors in Dublin

The Library at Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland

The Library at Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland, Europe

Our first stop in Wales at the lovely seaside town of Llandudno

Llandudno, Wales, Europe

We spent the afternoon exploring Conway Castle

Hiking along the Pembrokeshire Coast, Fishguard, Wales

St. David’s Cathedral in Fishguard, Wales

Bodnant Gardens, Llandundo, Wales

Bodnant Gardens, Llandundo, Wales

The town of Fowey, England

Dartmouth Castle, England

 

Delta’s new non-stop service from London’s Heathrow airport got me home to Portland in time to do my laundry, repack, say hi to my family, and complete a photo shoot for Travel Oregon before my next flight to British Columbia for a National Geographic Travel feature story on Vancouver. There I spent 6 days exploring the food scene, hiking in the rain forest, and rediscovering one of North America’s most vibrant, and one of my favorite, cities.

Photographing kayakers in False Creek, Vancouver, B.C. Yes – I had to wear lifesaving gear in the form of a onesy.

Photographing on top of the aerial tram at Grouse Mountain, Vancouver, British Columbia

BTS at 49th Parallel Coffee in Vancouver, B.C.

On September 18 I landed in Bordeaux, France, to rendezvous with my husband. We had rented a beautiful apartment directly on the quai where we could take endless walks after dinner to admire la Place de la Bourse and the Miroir d’eau at dusk. Bordeaux still seems refreshingly undiscovered. From there we also took a train day trip to St. Emilion, one of the finest wine producing regions in the world.

People enjoying a sunny afternoon and an art installation at Place de la Bourse, Bourdeaux, France.

The Chartrons neighborhood, Bordeaux, France

The view of the Garonne River from our fabulous apartment in Bordeaux, France.

The Miroir d’eau at Place de la Bourse, Bordeaux

Porte Cailhau, Bordeaux

Men sitting outside the landmark 14-16th century Gothic Church, Basilica of St. Michael, Bordeaux

The flea market at Place Meynard with Basilica St. Michael in the backgound, Bordeaux

Fresh fish at the Marché des Capucins, Bordeaux, France

Chocolate Shoes! These are 100% chocolate and are made by Cadiot-Badie, a chocolate shop that has been making confections since 1826 in Bordeaux.

The wine shop, L’Intendant, Bordeaux, France

Le Miroir d’eau at Place de la Bourse in Bordeaux during the blue hour.

The train station in St. Émilion, France

The grapes are ripe at Chateau Ausone in Saint Emilion, Bordeaux, France.

Grapes at Chateau Ausone, Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux, France

The view of the town from the bell tower of the monolithic church in St. Émilion, Bordeaux, France

Saint-Émilion has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The vineyards date back to the Romans, as early as the 2nd century.

After several days of eating our way through the markets and cafes in Bordeaux, we took an EasyJet to Venice. There we caught up with some curators and other folks associated with my show at the European Cultural Center at the 2017 Venice Biennale. We had rented an authentically Venetian apartment directly on the Grand Canal. The building had once housed a Doge and has a very beautiful, private courtyard, making for a quiet stay on a very busy waterway.

The private courtyard entrance to our apartment on the Grand Canal, Venice, Italy

The view at bluehour from the Ponte dell’Accademia, Venice, Italy

Classic Venice!

Basilica San Marco as the crowds assemble for the day, Venice, Italy

The view from the Bell Tower at San Marco, Venice

Caffé Florian in San Marco, established in 1720, is still a beautiful place to dine.

Even the nuns are taking selfies at San Marco.

The Bridge of Sighs, Venice, Italy

My favorite part of the trip was exploring Venice without a guide. The clothes hanging out to dry remind me so much of the photos of the Tibetan prayer flags at Everest Base Camp.

The magic hour on a small canal, Venice, Italy.

Deep fried artichokes at Gam Gam Kosher Restaurant just outside the Jewish Ghetto, Venice, Italy

Cicchetti at Cantina Do Mori, located near the Venice Fish Market. Cantina Do Mori was founded in 1462 and remains a fantastic place for a glass of wine and cicchetti.

The wines on display at Cantina Do Mori, a Venetian institution.

My head is still spinning from jet lag, but already I’m looking forward to heading to Washington D.C. on Sunday, then on to Maui where I’ll be based for 4 weeks.
Merci, Mille Grazie, Mahalo nui loa, and thank you for visiting my blog!