Jump in the car and join Chris Nichols and Jordan Drake on an adventure-filled road trip through Idaho. From the Canadian border to Twin Falls, they soaked up the region's visual splendor, took epic photos, enjoyed great food, and met some of the amazing people who call the state home.
After crossing the border from Canada into northern Idaho, they arrived at the beautiful shores of Sandpoint and searched for fall foliage and waterfalls at the Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge.
After an exhausting day of hiking and kayaking, we arrived at Candle in the Woods hungry. The restaurant offers a five-star dining experience led by Chef David Adlard that can only be described as unique and unforgettable.
The next morning, the team headed to the town of McCall on Payette Lake. But it's not the lake they came from. No, they instead hopped into an all-terrain Polaris RZR and headed into the mountains, only to be slowed down by a huge traffic jam of sheep.
They also explored the historic White Bird to learn about the history of the Nez Perce Tribe and finished by attending Ketchum's famous Sheep Tracking Festival.
what an adventure
Shot in the fall of 2023, the video was the result of a whirlwind trip that doubled in size. petapixelA typical video production team. Joined by travel editor Michael Bonocore and I, Chris and Jordan spend a week traveling down the entire state from the Canadian border to see, photograph, and enjoy the landscape of Idaho and all it has to offer. did. .
There is so much to see and a week may sound like a long time, but even if we spent twice as much time, we still wouldn't have seen everything the state has to offer.
Some of my most vivid memories of the trip involve the incredible beauty of the landscape. Idaho, at least the area we drove through, is incredibly mountainous, and roads tend to trace in and around it, but most of the time it's filled with stunningly beautiful cliffs, rugged foothills, and vast expanses. It was surrounded by forest.
And as we rode into the mountains on the aforementioned ATVs, we got some great photos of both the area and ourselves.
Photo publications usually focus on gear and technical information, petapixel has historically mixed this perspective with art, adventure, and culture. It is deeply ingrained in our philosophy and this project is a prime example of the importance of remembering. why We photographers pick up our cameras.
I could go into detail about what kind of camera Chris took the photos with, or what Jordan and I used to create the video, but that would take away from the essence of the project. felt. It's not about what you use, it's about what you capture.
Freed from test charts and sample galleries, we were allowed to just photograph the area, its beauty, its food, and most importantly its people.
I don't think I've ever been involved in a project with such a diverse range of subjects. Chris photographed landscapes, portraits, food, and wildlife. He experienced the event both indoors and outdoors, with some of the most beautiful natural light I have ever seen.
Here are Chris' thoughts on his time in Idaho. I hope this inspires you to visit new places, meet new people, and of course photograph it all.
Jordan and I had an amazing trip. I found Idaho to be an amazing place to visit and was simply blown away by how beautiful this state is and how much there is to photograph.
I really wanted to rekindle my love for photography and Idaho did not disappoint. I was expecting gorgeous scenery, but I also met some very interesting people and loved the portraits I took of them. We will miss all the people who welcomed us and shared what Idaho meant to them.
Food photos and astrophotography were also taken, and it was even possible to document the sheep festival and the people who flocked to it.
Although it wasn't as much as I expected, I was able to catch a little bit of fishing. That's all the more reason to come back to Idaho and explore what else it has to offer. There are so many photos waiting to be taken and so many places to visit. I can't think of a more beautiful place to grab your camera, go for a drive, and just wander and get lost. Be yourself in the beauty around you.
This project was created in partnership with Visit Idaho. No matter what time of year, Idaho is one of the most beautiful and exciting destinations to visit, especially for photographers. Visit Visit Idaho and plan your own epic Idaho road trip today.
Photos by Chris Niccols unless otherwise noted.
