Great photos of a resort's activities are essential to marketing to today's active lifestyle clientele

My wife once asked why I was so persistent in going to the gym when I'm not traveling but even when I am on the road. My response was that in today's climate at many resorts and travel destinations, the activities are such that you had better be prepared to get into the middle of such events. In my career, I've hung out of helicopters, jeeps, four wheelers, hot air balloons and at the top of 120 ft bucket trucks, always looking for those special locations. And I've always been up for hiking, biking, kayaking, canoeing, rafting; whatever to get the best image. Now I can add zip lining, rock climbing, mountain biking and rappelling into that mix. Seems like many resorts and travel destinations are very determined to get their guests out of the inside and out into the great outdoors. And I love that! Years ago - it was capture our tennis courts, pool, golf course and an occasional fly fishing or bike shot. Now it is everything from paint ball contests, to rappelling down waterfalls with an occasional wake boarding/ paddle boarding/ wind surfing and ropes course to boot. And it's not just for millennials-this activity based interest spans seniors, families and romantic couples. So it it imperative to get great images of those activities and best to show the actual recreational pursuits on your own property versus picking up a stock image or two- that might show up anywhere. And to do this you need proper planning and scouting with a photographer who can get right into the mix and come away with an image that presents the activity as exciting and dramatic. The above kayak shot was a request by Bald Head Island, off the coast of North Carolina. They were tired of using the same old kayak shot year after year and paying for that usage. So off we went, late one afternoon, into the marshes that wind their way around the creeks- and a few hours later this image was in the can.