2024 Travelers' Choice
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
Welcoming Mike and Keenan to the BCJ Team
Published November 30, 2022
At Backcountry Journeys we’d be nothing without our incredible team! We’re beyond lucky to have such a cohesive, welcoming, and flat-out fun group of people to work with every day.
From our professional photography guides interacting with customers in the field to our wonderful office staff making everything tick like clockwork, the people of Backcountry Journeys are the bread and butter of our business.
That being said, we’re very excited to announce two new team members. Mike Lopez is our new Field Operations Manager and Keenan Hursh is our new Website, Copy, and Content Specialist.
From our professional photography guides interacting with customers in the field to our wonderful office staff making everything tick like clockwork, the people of Backcountry Journeys are the bread and butter of our business.
That being said, we’re very excited to announce two new team members. Mike Lopez is our new Field Operations Manager and Keenan Hursh is our new Website, Copy, and Content Specialist.
Mike Lopez
Mike was born in Napa Valley, CA though he was raised in Dallas, TX, which he calls home. He retired from the United States Army after a 21+ career serving in various capacities. His two favorite positions were ones that allowed him to provide advisory assistance to service members which increased soldier survivability, as well as positions which allowed him to oversee and run field operations globally. Mike’s goal has always been team success coupled with the understanding and encouragement of individual success as well.
Mike never had much of an eye for anything outside of Texas until he was fortunate enough to spend 14 years living abroad in Schweinfurt, Baumholder, Wurzburg, and Dresden Germany. What started as a local snowboard trip to the Rhon mountains in Bavaria turned into a deep-rooted passion for nature while snowboarding the Austrian and Swiss Alps. An individual who enjoys life and what it has to offer, he is versed in and loves snowboarding, hiking, backpacking, riding quads, jumping out of planes, off-roading, and finally photography.
Mike’s favorite city in the world is El Paso, TX. Of course, there are places that blow EPT out of the water – but not in his mind. This city fostered Mike’s beginnings in photography and always provides a vast and free landscape full of possibilities and beauty. From his proudest moments on the highline trail in Glacier National Park, which his daughters dubbed “that Point 6”, to the solitary encouragement of El Paso’s vast desert, and finally walking his favorite trail with his wife: Annapolis's “Poet’s Trail.” Mike enjoys capturing raw emotion and the moments that raw emotion creates.
As the kids once asked, "Why do you always teach us about the places you have been?" My answer to them, and you, "Because my greatest hope is that in life y'all will get to experience at least just a little, if not tremendously more, of the beauty I have seen."
Mike was born in Napa Valley, CA though he was raised in Dallas, TX, which he calls home. He retired from the United States Army after a 21+ career serving in various capacities. His two favorite positions were ones that allowed him to provide advisory assistance to service members which increased soldier survivability, as well as positions which allowed him to oversee and run field operations globally. Mike’s goal has always been team success coupled with the understanding and encouragement of individual success as well.
Mike never had much of an eye for anything outside of Texas until he was fortunate enough to spend 14 years living abroad in Schweinfurt, Baumholder, Wurzburg, and Dresden Germany. What started as a local snowboard trip to the Rhon mountains in Bavaria turned into a deep-rooted passion for nature while snowboarding the Austrian and Swiss Alps. An individual who enjoys life and what it has to offer, he is versed in and loves snowboarding, hiking, backpacking, riding quads, jumping out of planes, off-roading, and finally photography.
Mike’s favorite city in the world is El Paso, TX. Of course, there are places that blow EPT out of the water – but not in his mind. This city fostered Mike’s beginnings in photography and always provides a vast and free landscape full of possibilities and beauty. From his proudest moments on the highline trail in Glacier National Park, which his daughters dubbed “that Point 6”, to the solitary encouragement of El Paso’s vast desert, and finally walking his favorite trail with his wife: Annapolis's “Poet’s Trail.” Mike enjoys capturing raw emotion and the moments that raw emotion creates.
As the kids once asked, "Why do you always teach us about the places you have been?" My answer to them, and you, "Because my greatest hope is that in life y'all will get to experience at least just a little, if not tremendously more, of the beauty I have seen."
Keenan Hursh
Keenan is an avid photographer, graphic designer, and lover of the outdoors currently based out of Bozeman, Montana. He is originally from Boulder, Colorado where he developed a deep passion for getting outside and pursuing outdoor activities including skiing, cycling, hiking, rafting, backpacking and more. Recently he has developed new passions for paragliding as well as designing and sewing outdoor adventure gear for cyclists and hikers.
At a very young age, Keenan started bringing a camera along on his excursions and immediately fell in love with the art of photography. He started out on his parent’s cheap point and shoot and has continuously improved his craft and gear refining his shooting style and producing more compelling and intriguing images. He pursues a wide range of photography styles primarily shooting landscapes, wildlife, adventure photography, and some 35mm every now and then.
Since graduating from the University of Denver with a degree in Emergent Digital Practices, Keenan has pursued a professional career in graphic design, multi-media marketing, and content creation. He has benefitted a wide range of companies and organizations from small start-ups to well-known agencies and brands.
You can view Keenan’s photography and graphic design work on his website at www.keenanhurshmedia.com.
We can’t wait to see what these guys bring to the table and we know they’ll fit right in with the rest of the tribe!
Check out our entire crew to learn more about who we are at Backcountry Journeys.
Keenan is an avid photographer, graphic designer, and lover of the outdoors currently based out of Bozeman, Montana. He is originally from Boulder, Colorado where he developed a deep passion for getting outside and pursuing outdoor activities including skiing, cycling, hiking, rafting, backpacking and more. Recently he has developed new passions for paragliding as well as designing and sewing outdoor adventure gear for cyclists and hikers.
At a very young age, Keenan started bringing a camera along on his excursions and immediately fell in love with the art of photography. He started out on his parent’s cheap point and shoot and has continuously improved his craft and gear refining his shooting style and producing more compelling and intriguing images. He pursues a wide range of photography styles primarily shooting landscapes, wildlife, adventure photography, and some 35mm every now and then.
Since graduating from the University of Denver with a degree in Emergent Digital Practices, Keenan has pursued a professional career in graphic design, multi-media marketing, and content creation. He has benefitted a wide range of companies and organizations from small start-ups to well-known agencies and brands.
You can view Keenan’s photography and graphic design work on his website at www.keenanhurshmedia.com.
We can’t wait to see what these guys bring to the table and we know they’ll fit right in with the rest of the tribe!
Check out our entire crew to learn more about who we are at Backcountry Journeys.
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.