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About Backcountry Journeys
Why Choose Backcountry Journeys
If you're considering a photography tour, hear why Backcountry Journeys delivers the best experience in the industry.Frequently Asked Questions
If you're new to photography tours, or new to BCJ, you can find our common travel questions here.Fitness Levels
Our trips vary on physical intensity, and by reviewing our fitness levels, you can find out which trips may be more challenging, or aligned more closely with your comfort level.Meet The Crew
We've built an amazing team of experienced guides, and dedicated office staff that elevate your travel experience. Get to know their backgrounds, and hear their stories.Travel Desk
You can review our various payment, and travel policies here, along with resources regarding international travel.Gift Certificates
Give the gift of photo adventure! We offer gift certificates that can be applied to any of our upcoming tours.Loyalty Program
We reward our frequent photo adventurers with exclusive discounts on amazing photography tours.Contact Us
If you need to get in touch with our office staff, or have additional business inquiries, you can find our information here.Stay Up To Date On All Things
Backcountry Journeys
Backcountry Journeys
Our Photography Community
Our Webinars
Our regularly hosted webinars provide photography instruction from our own guides on a wide range of topics.Our Education Portal
Explore our library of articles that cover everything from common questions, to in-depth guides on how to achieve that perfect shot.Community Testimonials
We're proud to foster an amazing group of photo travelers, and here you can find their stories from their past adventures.Resources For Photographers
About Our Company
Resources For Photographers
About Our Company
Introducing Dave, Kim, Connie & Maddy: ‘New’ Additions to Our Crew
Published July 8, 2022
Backcountry Journeys has an AWESOME team of office staff, including a few ‘new’ members we’d love for you to meet today. They are thoughtful problem solvers. They are dependable, organized & efficient, ridiculously helpful, and thorough. They are the behind-the-scenes backbone of the operation working daily to connect passionate people to exceptional experiences. You’ve maybe talked to or exchanged an email with, a few of these good folks already. Some, you’ll likely never know yet play an integral role.
A good team is never a coincidence, and over the past few months, we’ve added some new faces to the family. Help us welcome Dave, Kim, Connie & Maddy.
A good team is never a coincidence, and over the past few months, we’ve added some new faces to the family. Help us welcome Dave, Kim, Connie & Maddy.
Dave Deschenes
Executive Program Director
Executive Program Director
Dave’s job in his own words: “at a small company we here many hats. My official responsibilities include the day-to-day oversite of our business operations. I oversee marketing, finance, operations, and customer service… so I do a little of everything!”
Where is home for you right now?
Colorado Springs, CO
What has been your most ‘interesting job,’ and why?
I worked as a licensed falconer at a wildlife rehab facility. I worked with raptors who were injured and rehabbed them so that they could re-learn to fly.
How long have you been with BCJ?
Been with BCJ for three months.
What was the initial thing that interested you in working for such a company?
I made the decision to work for BCJ to be able to blend my passion for the outdoors and my professional skill set in business management.
What is – so far – the best part of working for Backcountry Journeys?
The BCJ team is great but I like being able to provide our guests with amazing experiences!
What is your favorite season, and why?
The Fall…..absolutely love the cold weather and the color of the changing foliage.
Favorite National Park?
Glacier National Park – it’s the crown of the continent and has amazing scenery and wildlife.
What is the wildest place you’ve visited?
The Wind River Mt Range in WY. Really rugged and remote.
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be, and why?
In the mountains anywhere with 100 acres of land…..so I could go out and explore my own wilderness!
Colorado Springs, CO
What has been your most ‘interesting job,’ and why?
I worked as a licensed falconer at a wildlife rehab facility. I worked with raptors who were injured and rehabbed them so that they could re-learn to fly.
How long have you been with BCJ?
Been with BCJ for three months.
What was the initial thing that interested you in working for such a company?
I made the decision to work for BCJ to be able to blend my passion for the outdoors and my professional skill set in business management.
What is – so far – the best part of working for Backcountry Journeys?
The BCJ team is great but I like being able to provide our guests with amazing experiences!
What is your favorite season, and why?
The Fall…..absolutely love the cold weather and the color of the changing foliage.
Favorite National Park?
Glacier National Park – it’s the crown of the continent and has amazing scenery and wildlife.
What is the wildest place you’ve visited?
The Wind River Mt Range in WY. Really rugged and remote.
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be, and why?
In the mountains anywhere with 100 acres of land…..so I could go out and explore my own wilderness!
Kim Biggins
Finance
Finance
Kim’s job in her own words: “Accountant – A specialist who creates order out of chaos; analyzes and repairs errors that you didn’t even know you had in a way you don’t understand.”
Where is home for you right now?
Orlando, FL
What has been your most ‘interesting job,’ and why?
Working for a regional airport – travel in private jets was a great perk.
How long have you been with BCJ?
Five + months.
What is – so far – the best part of working for Backcountry Journeys?
Actively being able to see parts of the country and wildlife through the guides’ lens.
What is your favorite season, and why?
Spring – The weather is best.
Favorite National Park?
Pearl Harbor & blessed to call Gettysburg NP home for 45 years.
What is the wildest place you’ve visited?
Alaska.
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be, and why?
Hawaii – any rock in the middle of an ocean.
Orlando, FL
What has been your most ‘interesting job,’ and why?
Working for a regional airport – travel in private jets was a great perk.
How long have you been with BCJ?
Five + months.
What is – so far – the best part of working for Backcountry Journeys?
Actively being able to see parts of the country and wildlife through the guides’ lens.
What is your favorite season, and why?
Spring – The weather is best.
Favorite National Park?
Pearl Harbor & blessed to call Gettysburg NP home for 45 years.
What is the wildest place you’ve visited?
Alaska.
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be, and why?
Hawaii – any rock in the middle of an ocean.
Connie Ghiglieri
Photo Adventure Specialist
Photo Adventure Specialist
Connie’s job in her own words: “I am truly excited for guests and I try to utilize my passion and love for the outdoors to critically listen to their needs combined with my product knowledge to fit each guest to the appropriate trip.”
Where is home for you right now?
Flagstaff, AZ
What has been your most ‘interesting job,’ and why?
Working with Doctors Without Borders in Western Ethiopia on the border with South Sudan. It was my first mission with MSF and I was in charge of a small 25-bed hospital and clinic. I was challenged, learned a ton, about stuff like malaria (peak season), malnutrition, tetanus, and gunshot wounds (got in the middle of a conflict, my first but not my last), and went on to do two more missions.
How long have you been with BCJ?
Three months?
What was the initial thing that interested you in working for such a company?
They go to lots of places I have been and have loved going.
What is – so far – the best part of working for Backcountry Journeys?
Sharing my knowledge of the places the guests are going.
What is your favorite season, and why?
Fall, I love the colors, the warm days, and cool nights/mornings.
Favorite National Park?
Yosemite, I lived and worked there and was a hiking fool.
What is the wildest place you’ve visited?
The lower Omo River valley in Ethiopia.
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be, and why?
Flagstaff, there is no place like home.
Flagstaff, AZ
What has been your most ‘interesting job,’ and why?
Working with Doctors Without Borders in Western Ethiopia on the border with South Sudan. It was my first mission with MSF and I was in charge of a small 25-bed hospital and clinic. I was challenged, learned a ton, about stuff like malaria (peak season), malnutrition, tetanus, and gunshot wounds (got in the middle of a conflict, my first but not my last), and went on to do two more missions.
How long have you been with BCJ?
Three months?
What was the initial thing that interested you in working for such a company?
They go to lots of places I have been and have loved going.
What is – so far – the best part of working for Backcountry Journeys?
Sharing my knowledge of the places the guests are going.
What is your favorite season, and why?
Fall, I love the colors, the warm days, and cool nights/mornings.
Favorite National Park?
Yosemite, I lived and worked there and was a hiking fool.
What is the wildest place you’ve visited?
The lower Omo River valley in Ethiopia.
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be, and why?
Flagstaff, there is no place like home.
Maddy Church
Photo Adventure Specialist
Photo Adventure Specialist
Maddy’s job in her own words: “Photo Adventure Specialist – A photography and travel connoisseur who juggles a variety of reservations, customer questions, and trip details; connecting people with amazing experiences.”
Where is home for you right now?
Greensboro, NC. But I am planning to move somewhere new soon. Hopefully either to Asheville, NC, or Salt Lake City, UT!
What has been your most ‘interesting job,’ and why?
I used to train dogs for a living! It was definitely an interesting job, because every dog is different, and I was always learning new things. However, it was also stressful because I typically had 3-4 dogs in my home at one time!
How long have you been with BCJ, what is your position here?
A little over three months.
What was the initial thing that interested you in working for such a company?
I have a degree in photography and a passion for travel, so this seemed like the perfect position for me!
What is – so far – the best part of working for Backcountry Journeys?
The best part of working at Backcountry Journeys has been getting to interact with so many interesting people. In addition, BCJ has given me the opportunity to combine my passions to help others have the adventure of a lifetime!
What is your favorite season, and why?
Fall. I love the colors and the smell of the leaves.
Favorite National Park?
Glacier National Park! I was there a few summers ago, and the Gatorade-colored water, along with the large variety of wildlife blew me away. While we were there, we went swimming in a lake one day, then hiked in the snow the next. In August! I am planning to visit again soon with BCJ!
What is the wildest place you’ve visited?
I would say Switzerland, but that was when I was a kid, so I don’t have a great memory of it. Puerto Rico is my favorite place that I have been as an adult! Especially the rainforest.
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be, and why?
Everywhere! I enjoy exploring new places and learning about new cultures. I would love to travel and live in a lot of different places- especially Southeast Asia or Europe!
Greensboro, NC. But I am planning to move somewhere new soon. Hopefully either to Asheville, NC, or Salt Lake City, UT!
What has been your most ‘interesting job,’ and why?
I used to train dogs for a living! It was definitely an interesting job, because every dog is different, and I was always learning new things. However, it was also stressful because I typically had 3-4 dogs in my home at one time!
How long have you been with BCJ, what is your position here?
A little over three months.
What was the initial thing that interested you in working for such a company?
I have a degree in photography and a passion for travel, so this seemed like the perfect position for me!
What is – so far – the best part of working for Backcountry Journeys?
The best part of working at Backcountry Journeys has been getting to interact with so many interesting people. In addition, BCJ has given me the opportunity to combine my passions to help others have the adventure of a lifetime!
What is your favorite season, and why?
Fall. I love the colors and the smell of the leaves.
Favorite National Park?
Glacier National Park! I was there a few summers ago, and the Gatorade-colored water, along with the large variety of wildlife blew me away. While we were there, we went swimming in a lake one day, then hiked in the snow the next. In August! I am planning to visit again soon with BCJ!
What is the wildest place you’ve visited?
I would say Switzerland, but that was when I was a kid, so I don’t have a great memory of it. Puerto Rico is my favorite place that I have been as an adult! Especially the rainforest.
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be, and why?
Everywhere! I enjoy exploring new places and learning about new cultures. I would love to travel and live in a lot of different places- especially Southeast Asia or Europe!
We offer world-class travel photography
experiences around the world.
Each tour is bundled with lodging, meals, and transportation between workshops included, allowing you to focus on photography instead of the stress of traveling.
experiences around the world.
Each tour is bundled with lodging, meals, and transportation between workshops included, allowing you to focus on photography instead of the stress of traveling.
Get Our Trip Catalog
Receive a trip catalog that highlights all of our upcoming photo tours and workshops.Schedule a Trip Consultation
Meet with a photo experience coordinator, and experience a personal touch to your booking experience.Trip Calendar
View our trip calendar and filter upcoming departures by interest or seasonality.Webinars
Our regularly hosted webinars provide photography instruction from our own guides on a wide range of topics.Education Portal
Explore our library of articles that cover everything from common questions, to in-depth guides on how to achieve that perfect shot.BACKCOUNTRY JOURNEYS
"Backcountry Journeys offers guests the unique opportunity to explore our natural world from behind their own lens. We run a selection of hand-crafted Photo Tours, Workshops & Safaris connecting passionate people to exceptional experiences. Locations worldwide.
- Russ Nordstrand, Backcountry Journeys Founder & Director
- Russ Nordstrand, Backcountry Journeys Founder & Director
TRIP CATALOG
Download our Trip Catalog for detailed information on our many destinations for photography tours, workshops, and safaris.
All Images & Content are property of Backcountry Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris LLCs - Copyright 2024
BACKCOUNTRY JOURNEYS
"Backcountry Journeys offers guests the unique opportunity to explore our natural world from behind their own lens. We run a selection of hand-crafted Photo Tours, Workshops & Safaris connecting passionate people to exceptional experiences. Locations worldwide.
All Images & Content are property of Backcountry Journeys Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris LLC - Copyright 2024
TRIP CATALOG
Download our Trip Catalog for detailed information on our many destinations for photography tours, workshops, and safaris.