Banff, Alberta, Canada
It was earlier this year we decided as a family to take a summer vacation to Banff Alberta. Banff is a location near and dear to me since you could say its where it all began for me. In a few ways in fact, and if you want to find out how - then keep reading at the bottom. In the meantime, I've got a few short video compilations to share, hosted on my youtube channel.
We ended up flying out as early as we could muster on the morning of July 1st. So while we were a bit bagged(tired), and accidentally found ourselves amidst some very slow traffic through Canmore, we were treated to the Banff Canada Day parade upon our arrival. And what a treat!
Parades in our area aren't quite like this. There were at least 5 marching bands we saw. Having this experience at the beginning of the trip had us humming some of the same tunes along our hikes for the days following. Here are some of our clips from the Parade in Banff on Canada Day 2025.
Secondly, I wanted to shoot Banff in a way I didn't really have the ability to previously when I lived there. Not that you could or anyone could shoot too many photos of Banff, but I wanted to guarantee that I'd have something new. Especially since - travelling with little ones, in mid summer - sunsets would be 930-10pm. After long days of hiking, and possibly carrying little ones up trails (spoiler alert - i did end up doing that) there was little expectation of shooting during the golden hours I so dearly loved. So I thought lets make daytime stuff but differently! Here are some 360 views from the Banff area. These are primarily stills composed into a video slideshow - I still have video footage I've yet to compile, so stay tuned!
What All Started in Banff?
- I took a vacation in my teenage years and learned that I could have a working holiday at the area hotels. Turns out I liked that idea so much, I was working there within a year of that vacation. My first time moving out of the house - thats the beginning of something for sure!
- I first got into photography out there. Prior to that I had a simple Fujifilm digicam I bought at KMart or Zellers. It took XD cards! relics. The beauty of the landscape led me towards using a camera first for hobby and eventually by trade. The beginning of a career choice!
- I met my future wife in Banff. Working together at the same hotel, sharing similar interests. Still together now a few years short of twenty! The beginning of a relationship and eventually a family.
- I hope also that it could have been a new beginning of interests my children have and can share with me in an enjoyment and appreciation in nature, and in some of its most majestic and grandiose forms.
Have you been to Banff? Maybe it could be the beginning of something for you too, if you haven't!
Leave a comment below if you love Banff or have anything else to share - I read them all.
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