Nick Sears grew up in Ohio and didn't really get out much, that was until his brother took him on the graduation trip of a lifetime. "On that trip, my brother and I spent a few weeks hiking in Switzerland and Iceland and I remember not being able to believe what I was seeing, and also feeling disappointed that I couldn't properly capture what I was seeing with my flip phone."
Luckily for all of us he graduated from that flip phone and has been taking beautiful photos ever since. "I started taking pictures when I began my post-graduate school travels and wanted to use my camera as a sort of journal or diary. That continues to be the way I use photographs today. I like looking back through them sometimes and reflecting on where / who I was."
Over the years he has developed quite the eye. "For me, I really like when photographs have multiple layers, colors, etc to them; typically in sets of odd numbers like when you have a foreground, mid-ground, and background that all tie in together. I also really enjoy a nice landscape shot that captures the mood of the place I'm in."
And he has definitely been in a lot of places since that first Switzerland trip, he's got some advice for those looking to get out there for the first time. "I would say that traveling is often most fun when you're creative and resourceful with your travel funds and time. Whether or not you need to save money / time, I feel like the most organic and interesting experiences happen when you're forced to think and plan ahead about what's going on, rather than buying some travel package or experience that aims to provide you pure convenience. When I handle those things myself, I always feel so much better about my trip; regardless of how many things may have gone wrong as a result of my planning."
A lot of those trips that he has taken have been in the US. "Exploring in the US is a blast; there's so many beautiful spots that are absolutely mind blowing. I really love the southwest US and hope to visit again soon."
He may have been to a bunch of states but it's the District of Columbia that's really unique to him. "Washington DC is pretty interesting because it has been built in swampland. Having the pristine government buildings within that swampland provides for an interesting setting. I also enjoy how DC is culturally unique within the US. No other place exists in the States that's so focused on politics, and you can feel that difference all around you."
Thank you Nick Sears for adding locations to Know Now Go Later. We love to feature those who have contributed to this website because without them, this website would not be as big as it is. If you have some great places that you have explored, please feel free to add them to the website with the link below. You never know; we might feature you next.