Passport to the Pacific

I will never forget the first time I saw the Pacific Ocean. It had been a long day of traveling from Baltimore to San Diego when we reached the cliffs of La Jolla at sunset. We meandered down a giant hill, one clumsy step after another as I fidgeted with my sandals. It was late winter and I hadn’t worn them in months, the soft leather sliding uncomfortably on my feet.

By the time we reached the cliffs, my head was pounding, exhausted, and I was ready to ‘check this off the list’ – when my eyes met the edge of the sea. Standing at the foot of the Pacific Ocean, I was completely and unabashedly smitten. It’s vastness, the crystal blue of its waters and the rocky ledges that guide you to the surf. I felt so small, immeasurably humbled, and completely awestruck.

It was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen.

I had spent my entire life by the water and yet I had never seen anything as mesmerizing as the Pacific. The way the light dipped over the ocean, cascading rays of peaches and purples dancing along the water’s edge. It was like getting a glimpse at heaven.

My California friends thought I was crazy, standing there with tears welling up in my eyes… but I honestly couldn’t help it. I’m emotional by design and this sight pushed me right over the edge. Ever since that first night in La Jolla, I’ve been counting down the days until my next trip back; strategizing ways to actually work on the Pacific Coast and set down roots that I can nurture in the years to come.

And that brings us to today’s crazy exciting announcement… I’ll be spending three weeks in January touring the Pacific – from California to Hawaii to New Zealand. Photographing couples and landscapes, meeting with other photographers, and visiting an entire list of new cities and islands. We start our journey in Long Beach with Katie Yuen – trekking up the coast to San Fransisco – before Caitlin and I fly out to Honolulu and continue a week later to New Zealand!

Trip Itinerary:

January 8th – 12th:
California Road Trip: Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, The Scenic Pacific Coast Highway, Big Sur, and San Francisco.

January 13th – 16th:
Island of Oahu

January 16th - January 19th:
Island of Maui

January 21st – 25th:
North Island, NZ: Auckland, Bay of Islands, and The Cormandel.

January 25th – 28th:
South Island, NZ: Queenstown and Milford Sound.

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As I’m sure you can already imagine, I won’t be getting a lot of sleep on this adventure but I know that it’s going to be well worth it! All of the places above are completely new and foreign to me – so I’m looking for your suggestions: places to visit, restaurants to try, and scenic sights to take my breath away!

We must take adventures to know where we truly belong.

We’ll be photographing a mix of portrait sessions and scenic landscapes (+ starscapes) throughout this entire trip so photography is our main priority! If you or someone you love lives along our route who may be interested in an anniversary session, elopement, or collaborating on an editorial shoot – Please send me an email: natalie@nataliefranke.com  |  And be sure to follow along on Instagram too! (Prepare for a cheesy hashtag or two to track our journey! You know we can’t help it!)

We would love to tell some genuine love stories along the way and I am unbelievably excited for the shoots we already have lined up!