I take a lot of pictures when we travel. A LOT of pictures. Probably approaching an annoying amount of pictures. But when I post them, I try to curate. I choose the top 10-15 photos that represent the day and edit them. Because no one wants to see 113 un-edited vacation photos. No one. After our trip, I put together my photo essay of Latvia, which includes additional curated photos.

Someone (I have no idea who) once said, “The best camera is the one you have with you.” The camera I have with me the most is my iPhone, which is absolutely not the best camera, but it is with me 99% of the time. And it does a damn fine job for my photo essays.

We do a massive amount of walking when we travel, and I’ve learned the hard way that carrying my “big” camera (Nikon D-800) is just too much (too heavy, too bulky, too hot, too everything), so it stays at home. Lately, I’ve been doing more and more street photography when we travel. But life happens pretty fast — carrying 10 pounds of camera gear in a backpack, stopping to get it out, and then set it up is an exercise in frustration. By that time I do all that, the shot I wanted is gone. I’m a pretty quick draw (and pretty stealthy) with my iPhone, though.

Other cameras I travel with: my Leica Q3 (fixed lens), and my Sony RX-10 (zoom). Carrying both of them is (again) too everything. So, I make a guess as to which one I will need for the day. And whichever way I guess, I usually need the other one. But I always have my iPhone.

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Here is my photo essay of Latvia (in no particular order). I did get to sneak in a few street photography shots (black and white), though not as many opportunities as I would have liked. Honestly, too cold to people watch!

I hope you enjoyed my photo essay from Latvia. You can find my entire (work in progress) photography portfolio here. 

Priekā!

All images © 2025 Kirsten Georgi Photography