Guest Post with Photographer Alex Liepold: "Captured Moments"

(I ran into Alex several months back seemingly out of the blue here in Toronto. We ended up talking about photography, writing, and travel, which of course led to a conversation about this blog here. I'm pleased to say that today's post will be a guest post courtesy of the talented photographer from Toronto, Alex Liepold. The words and photographs that follow are his, and I'm sure you'll enjoy them.)

The trick to any great travel photography photo is not to over think it. Many people might think it too cliche to take a picture of the Eiffel Tower or Big Ben, but certain shots are taken over and over again for a reason. Their composition, subject matter and lighting offers a once-in-a-lifetime scenario where you just have to take a picture of what's in front of you, so snap away and experiment. While certain landmarks demand your time, it's also important to lurk off some of the beaten paths to capture moments that locals see and feel every day. Some of these pictures are across Western Europe, but also include some of my travels throughout Ontario, exemplifying some of the hidden gems that can be found right in our own backyards.