Carmen Polanco Lugo

For as long as she can remember, Carmen Polanco has always had a camera in her hand. Her first camera, given by her grandfather, was a basic automatic point-and-shoot. Her family was just so happy and willing to pose for her; striking poses that make the photos look candid, willingly posing for birthday photos, and striking every other imaginable pose! Her family’s support is what encouraged Polanco to pursue photography.

Trips to East Coast National Parks

Summers at the Polanco household meant planning trips to national parks on the East Coast. Carmen would always be grateful for these trips because not only did they make the family closer but they also developed in Carmen a love for nature photography. From Acadia to Biscayne, Carmen remembers these family outings with fondness.

Photographing the Atlantic coast from Acadia National Park to the mangroves of Biscayne National Park, and the wetlands of Everglades National Park is truly an experience that made Carmen's childhood memorable.

Now the West Coast

In keeping with tradition, Carmen has taken it upon herself to give her children the same experiences she had growing up. She wants them to fall in love with nature as much as she did and so, trips to national parks have also become a tradition in her own family. This time though, their trips would take them to national parks on the West Coast.

So far, she has taken her family to Yosemite National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Redwood National Park, and the Grand Canyon National Park.

This summer, they’re planning a trip to Utah’s Mighty 5 national parks.

Carmen Polanco talks more about her trips to national parks when she was younger, and the trips she’s taken with her own family on the blog page. You are invited to visit the page to read all about her photography adventures in these parks.