Meet the Photographer: Pete Halvorsen

Hometown: I was born and raised in wine country in Northern California but found myself slowly moving down the coast. We finally found our roots in Manhattan Beach, California.

Occupation: Photographer.

Favorite destination: It's a fantastic tie between Norway and the Greek Islands (mainly because I have family in both places who would never speak to me if I chose one over the other).

Dying to visit: The Maldives.

Bizarre travel rituals: Nose strips on airplanes. Looks funny, but saves your throat from all that recycled air.

Always in carry-on: Cameras. I never let them out of my sight.

Concierge or DIY: DIY.

See it all or take it easy? See it all (and then some).

Drive or be driven? Drive.

Weirdest thing seen on travels: Myself in the mirror. After ten days of no showers in Malawi and Zambia, I looked at myself in a mirror and thought, now THAT guy was weird.

Best hotel amenity: Eventi Hotel in New York City once had a framed photo of a paddleboarder at sunset and my favorite beer, Le Fin Du Monde, on ice when I checked in because they knew I was missing the West Coast. That was pretty cool.

Favorite childhood travel memory: In the summer, my family would load up our blue Scout SUV and camp at the secluded Gold Bluffs Beach in Northern California near the Oregon border. The combination of the giant redwood trees, the huge bluffs, and the ocean made for a magical time.

I dream about my meal at B-IN in Brugge, Belgium.

Everywhere I go, I check out the public restrooms. (Seriously, I do.)

I always bring home dirty laundry and a refreshed spirit to share the experiences I had with others.

I travel for the people. The landscapes and places are always amazing, but I love getting to know the locals and their stories. It's the community that makes me enjoy the journey.

MORE PETE

Website: www.pchpro.com
Blog: petehalvorsen.tumblr.com
Instagram: @petehalvorsen
Twitter: @petehalvorsen
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