Blog — Van Valen Photography

in your backyard, or around the world

A Traveler's Lament: An Apology Letter

A Traveler's Lament: An Apology Letter

Dear Bacalar, I am so sorry. And I wish that were enough.

blog, Mexico, travel, personalJenna Van ValenJuly 29, 2021Mexico, Bacalar, travel, tourism, lake, tropical lake, climate changeComment

A Total Fluke in Hawaii, a Whale Named After Me, and a Front Page Photo

A Total Fluke in Hawaii, a Whale Named After Me, and a Front Page Photo

There was more kismet in our week away than I realized, and it has all unfolded the past month…

blog, travel, personalJenna Van ValenJuly 6, 2021whale, whale of a tale, fluke, whale watch, adopt a whale, front page news, hawaii, crazy storyComment

Traveling in a Pandemic...?

Traveling in a Pandemic...?

Mexico is still my happy place, but Hawaii saved my sanity…

personal, travel, blogJenna Van ValenMarch 7, 2021travel, Hawaii, Big Island, Kailua-Kona, covid-19, pandemic, vacation, adventureComment

Why Am I So Hung Up on The Lock-Down? (And a Note)***

Why Am I So Hung Up on The Lock-Down? (And a Note)***

…if I seem irrationally upset about travel, I am definitely upset about travel. But when I dig down and consider why, it doesn’t feel quite so irrational anymore…

blog, personal, travelJenna Van ValenJune 16, 2020travel, Black Lives Matter, Pride, coronavirus, covid-19, lockdown, quarantine, essay Comment

Sierra & Kyle, Aloha and I Do!

Sierra & Kyle, Aloha and I Do!

The night before the wedding, after a long day of snorkeling in the pristine waters off Two Step Beach, friends and family all arrived at the spectacular hilltop venue, high above Kailua-Kona, with the ocean glittering in the distance.

blog, travel, weddingJenna Van ValenDecember 10, 2019Hawaii, destination wedding, Hawaii wedding, wedding, wedding photos, love, family, friends, Kailua-Kona, sea turtle, fire dancer, party, sunsetComment