Ralph Velasco: Vilnius is a Photographers’ Dream!

/ World famous Travel photographer Ralph Velasco is visiting Vilnius this week. Ralph Velasco’s photography has won various awards both online and in print. His images have appeared in magazines, newspapers, on television and are held in several exhibits and personal collections. Last year Ralph Velasco chosen one of The Top 100 Travel Photographers in the world and selected one of the 10 Best Travel Photography Bloggers.
During the second trip to Vilnius Ralph Velasco is planning to discover the most beautiful sites in Vilnius and its surroundings, share the unique experiences and present Vilnius as a new tourist destination for the photography lovers.
Interview, Vilnius Tourist Information Centre:

1. We are very pleased that you visited Vilnius and agreed to share your impressions with us. How do you feel in Vilnius? Could you please compare two trips?

I’ll have to say that I feel great, and very at home and welcome in Vilnius. It’s a wonderful city with so much to offer. The first time I visited I stayed at a hotel in the old town, and it was really nice to be in the heart of the cultural center. This trip I decided to rent an apartment just outside of the old town and have really enjoyed being in more of a local neighborhood, which gives me a much different perspective. Both visits have been great in their own way.

2. Which places in Vilnius you have recently visited and what was the most interesting / impressive / unexpected for you?

Yesterday we went to Kernave and Trakai, and I really loved getting into the countryside. We stopped to see a group of locals harvesting potatoes, and the farmer had the most wonderful raspberry field, as well. My being from Chicago, in the midwest of the United States, I don’t see these kinds of things too often, and it’s a big part of why I travel. These people were so open and friendly, and they even allowed me to take a turn at harvesting some potatoes myself, which was so much fun. Getting to know the locals in any country I visit is the ultimate goal of mine, even if it’s simply for a few brief minutes. I’ll surely carry the encounter I had with these people throughout the rest of my life.

3.How do you see Vilnius as a professional photographer? What do you think, is the city really photogenic?

Vilnius is extremely photogenic, and a photographer’s dream. The different neighborhoods, architecture, history, people, shops, and more, they’re great for photography, and I’m really looking forward to bringing a group back her next May/June… I know my clients and they’re absolutely going to love it.

4. Foreigners often described Vilnius as cozy, compact, green city with the interesting cultural heritage and historical spirit. How would you describe the city? What would you say about Vilnius to your friends?

I would have to agree whole heartedly. Vilnius is a very walkable city with plenty of parkland and greenspace, wonderful monuments, churches and historic sites to visit and photograph. There’s so much to do, so many wonderful restaurants and coffee shops. Oh, and when I talk to my friends and clients about Lithuania in general, and Vilnius specifically, I can’t stop raving about the food, it’s so tasty and distinct. And the beer, I’ll have to say it’s some of the best in the world, and I consider myself a bit of an authority in this area.

5. We hope Vilnius will appear on your travel maps more often. What plans you have for the future?

As a travel photographer and international tour leader with my own company, I organize and lead tours all over the world, and I’m lucky because I have the luxury to set up these trips to any place I choose, and the Baltics was one region of the world I was very interested in and looked forward to planning a trip for my clients around. My job is to introduce people to these wonderful places and to share with them the incredible experiences that I had, and it’s going to be my pleasure to do so here in Vilnius and the surrounding area. I can’t wait to bring my group back next year.

Read more about the photographer:
PhotoEnrichment.com
PhotoEnrichment Programs, Inc. on Facebook
Ralph Velasco on Facebook
Twitter.com/ralphvelasco
Instagram.com/ralphvelasco

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