4 tips to Take beautiful backlighting photos

A backlit photo gives your subject a golden glow. It almost instantly enhances your photo quality - if you know to do it right.

Photography Tips, How To PhotographBelinda ShiFebruary 18, 2022lighting, sunset, children, portrait, backlighting, backlightComment

11 Day Winter Cross Country Road Trip

We were on another cross country road trip. Here is a small collection of what we saw in the last few days of 2021 and in the beginning of 2022.

TravelBelinda ShiFebruary 1, 2022Colorado, winter, mountain, snow, hiking, USA, Road Trip, landscape photographyComment

2021 - A year In Review

Less travel continued to be our theme in 2021. However, we are grateful to be able to mark our footprints onto a few new territories - 8 US national parks in total, the Caribbeans and several short and long road trips.

Travel, A Year In ReviewBelinda ShiJanuary 10, 2022USA, Washington, Florida, Bahamas, island, beach, Caribbean, oregon, Road TripComment

5 Day Family Trip In Oregon

We took a spontaneous 5-day road trip to Oregon and enjoyed the gorgeous scenes in Columbia River Gorge. It was the rainy season, probably not the best to travel. But if you love waterfalls, it’s perfect!

TravelBelinda ShiNovember 16, 2021oregon, mountain, river, waterfall, children, hiking, road, long exposure, landscape photographyComment

How I Photographed Northern Lights and Star Trail

My first northern light photography in 2021. It’s not the first northern light I photographed, nor the first star trail I photographed, but definitely the first combo of the two.

3 Day Family Trip At Mt Rainier

We made our second trip to Mt Rainier National Park this year, and enjoyed a completely different scenery in a different season. Despite the crowd and the rain, we managed to do 3-4 hikes with our kids, and saw Mt Rainier from a different angle.

TravelBelinda ShiSeptember 28, 2021children, hiking, USA, Washington, mountain, lakeComment

3 Day Family Trip At North Cascades

We made our first trip to North Cascades National Park over a 3-day weekend. We completed a 4.6-mile Blue Lake hike, the longest hike with our kids, in a 4-hour drizzle, followed by a 3.8-mile hike at Sauk Mountain in the fog. We were completely soaked in the incredible views, and knew for sure we’d come back.

TravelBelinda ShiSeptember 22, 2021children, hiking, USA, Washington, mountain, fog, rainComment

3 Day Family Trip At Mt Baker Washington

We spent an amazing Labor Day weekend at Mt Baker, Washington. Words can’t describe the incredible sceneries, despite the rain we encountered.

TravelBelinda ShiSeptember 11, 2021children, hiking, USA, beach, Washington, long exposure, mountain, fog, rainComment

Our Favorite Beaches At Olympic National Park

A 14-hour day trip that documented our favorite beaches at the Pacific coastline of Olympic National Park.

TravelBelinda ShiSeptember 1, 2021children, hiking, USA, beach, Washington, long exposure, sunset, landscape photography, seascapeComment

Family Friendly Local Spots in Olympic Peninsula

A summary of our favorite family friendly spots in the Olympic Peninsula after 10-month stay as locals.

TravelBelinda ShiMay 28, 2021USA, Washington, children, forest, mountain, beach, hiking Comments

4 National Parks Over 4 Weeks - From Caribbean to Washington

We visited 4 national parks across US Virgin Island, Florida and Washington within 4 weeks, not as planned, but totally loved it!

TravelBelinda ShiApril 24, 2021children, hiking, USA, mountainComment

How We Spent One Week In Miami Beach

Miami was originally just a mid point stop for our Caribbean trip but it turned out to be a destination, and the ending of our trip to the Caribbean.

TravelBelinda ShiApril 14, 2021children, hiking, USAComment

Our Favorite Hike In St John US Virgin Island

We attempted to hike on Rams Head Trail yesterday and only made half way through, as we ran out of time before sunset. We went back and completed this 2.3 mile hike this morning.

CaribbeanBelinda ShiApril 6, 2021Caribbean, children, hiking, USA, beach, seascape, mountainComment

US Virgin Island - Our first impression

A photo journal of our first two days on Water Island in US Virgin Island.

CaribbeanBelinda ShiMarch 30, 2021Caribbean, children, USA, island, sunset, beach, Road TripComment

One Week Chartered Sail in Exuma Bahamas

A collection of photos and videos from my iPhone 12 Pro Max and DJI mini 2 for an epic week long chartered sail along the Exuma Cays in Bahamas. Words can’t describe the beauty!

Caribbean, Travel, FeaturedBelinda ShiMarch 29, 2021Caribbean, animal, children, seascape, hiking, island, Bahamas, sand, sail, beach, clouds, North AmericaComment

Olympic National Park And Our Favorites

Olympic National Park is a big reason we moved to Washington, in the middle of a pandemic. After 2-3 dozens of trips over the last 6 months, we have a good list of suggestions.

Travel, FeaturedBelinda ShiJanuary 11, 2021USA, Washington, children, sunset, forest, lake, long exposure, landscape photographyComment

2020 - A Year In Review

After spending the first six months of 2020 in Airbnbs in both east and west coasts, we finally found a home in the Pacific Northwest, in the middle of a pandemic.

Travel, Travel photography, A Year In ReviewBelinda ShiJanuary 4, 2021lake, landscape, mountain, USA, rhode island, Washington, oregon, HawaiiComment

I Got A New Mirrorless Camera

Watch my video detailing why I chose Canon EOS R5 as my second mirrorless camera. Sample photos are mostly JPEGs taken on my first day trying out Canon EOS R6, another great camera, but not for me.

How To Photograph, Photography Tips, FeaturedBelinda ShiNovember 23, 2020equipment, lens, portrait, children, Washington, USAComment

Belinda Shi Travel

Follow Me

Copyright 2025 © Belinda Shi

About

Important Links