Why Do a Canmore Photo Tour?

Have you ever wanted to know where to get the best pictures of the Banff and Canmore area from? I have! What better way than to do a Canmore photo tour. A guided photo tour will give you access a locals’ insider information and allow you to see the maximum amount of sites in a short period of time. If you are traveling on your own, this is also a perfect way to find a ‘photo buddy’. When I heard about the photo tours offered by Craig from Banff Canmore Photo, this sounded like a great way to enjoy a few hours in the mountains and to find the best locations to get the ‘perfect’ photo from, while in the Banff and Canmore area. 

This past summer, I booked a 2 hour Canmore photo tour with Craig. Prior to meeting, we had a short phone conversation so that he could get a better understanding of what I wanted to get out of the tour, and what I was most interested in photographing (wildlife, scenery, etc.). He then carefully planned our itinerary based on this information. He will tailor the tour to what you are looking to get out of it. His photo tours are suited to anyone who loves the outdoors, nature and photography. You don’t have to be a professional photographer with all the best equipment. A point and click or smartphone are suitable as well. Smartphones have come a long way and take some really great pics.

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Canmore Photo Tour

We met up at 10:00am on a Friday morning at an agreed upon location. Because we were going to see sites with quite a bit of distance between them, we jumped in Craigs vehicle and hit the road. He also does walking tours, or he can travel along in your transportation. As I’ve already mentioned, he will cater to whatever it is you are looking for or prefer.

Three Sisters Viewpoint

First stop of the day was to one of the best locations to view the Three Sisters from, on Highway 1A. The Three Sisters, are 3 trio of mountain peaks, Big Sister, Middle Sister and Little Sister, all similar sizes and shape, and therefore named the Three Sisters. If you are in Canmore, or even just driving through, you can’t miss them.

Vermilion Lakes

Next we headed to Vermillion Lakes, near the town of Banff. A trio of 3 lakes connected by marshland, it’s a spectacular spot to view Mount Rundle and Sulphur Mountain, take in sunrise or sunset and to spot wildlife. On a hot summer day you are likely to see locals and tourists canoeing, kayaking or stand up paddle boarding, all while marveling in the beauty around them.

Bow Falls

By the time we arrived the very popular Bow Falls, there were bus loads of tourists all trying to get the perfect shot. Bow Falls is a must see for any 1st time visitor to Banff. It is a short but wide waterfall with crisp, clear water.

If you get there early you may be lucky enough to have it to yourself. Or if you are later like we were, if you move slightly further away from the falls you can still get a great shot, and with no people obstructing the view. Thanks Craig for the tip!

Surprise Corner

Next we headed up Tunnel Mountain Road to Surprise Corner. Have you ever wondered where to get the best photo of the Banff Springs Hotel from? Well this is it!

The Banff Springs Hotel, also known as ‘The Castle of the Rockies’, is an historic and iconic hotel known around the world. It has hosted many famous actors and actresses, politicians, musicians, and sports icons. Located in Banff National Park, overlooking the Bow River, you can get great views of the hotel from Surprise Corner.

Mount Norquay Lookout

On the opposite side of the #1 Highway from Banff is Mount Norquay. Craig took me to the Mount Norquay Lookout which offers stunning views of Mount Rundle, Sulphur Mountain and the town of Banff.

Take the time to sit and enjoy the view from the famous ‘red chairs’. The red chairs have been placed around Banff National Park, and other national parks in Canada, with the intention to help reconnect people with nature and with ourselves. #thisview  We decided this would be a great spot to enjoy a cold ‘beverage’ and a snack.

Lake Minnewanka

Our final stop of the day was Lake Minnewanka. Lake Minnewanka was originally called Minn-waki (Lake of the Spirits) by the Stoney Nakoda First Nations people. It’s a large glacial lake about 3km from the town of Banff, and a popular spot for picnicking, mountain biking, hiking, canoeing and snowshoeing (in the winter). The emerald green of this lake is so stunning! Take a boat tour while you are there and find out the history of the Minnewanka area.

Conclusion

That winds up my Canmore photo tour with Craig. Even though I’ve visited Canmore and Banff on many occasions, Craig took me to spots that I have never been to or seen. Yes, you could go to all these locations on your own, but to sum it up, with Craig as my guide, I was able to visit many locations in a short period of time, and learn a lot about each specific location.

He shared personal stories such as the time he photographed Robert F Kennedy Jr. and the time he was up and close to a grizzly. Hanging out with locals is the best way to really learn about where you are. Craig’s knowledge of the Banff/Canmore area, wildlife and photography is unheralded. And not to mention his wit!

Craig’s final tip of this hot summer day was the awesome patio at the Juniper Hotel. I headed there after my photo tour for a nice cold glass of wine and more spectacular views.

About Craig

Craig is an Aussie who came to Canada in 1994 to snowboard for a season. Fast forward 25 years, he’s still here, raising a family and with his own business, Banff Canmore Photo. He has been living and photographing in the Banff Canmore area for over 20 years so what better qualifications could you ask for. Check out his website, his work is pretty amazing! 

In addition to Banff and Canmore photo tours, Craig offers many other services such as photo lessons, photo ‘buddy’, commercial photography, portraiture, and printing, design and editing.

To contact Craig:

Website: Banff Canmore Photo
Email: info@banffcanmorephoto.com
Phone: 403-707-6100
Instagram: Banff Canmore Photo

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