We specialize in creating connections between people and place.
We make any destination stand out with our photographs and words.
Meet Therese & Michael
In 2024, Therese Iknoian was named "Photographer of the Year" by the North American Travel Journalist's Association. By our tally, Michael Hodgson finished an (unofficial) second. And since 2021, in the International Food Wine and Travel Writers Association photo contest, we have garnered Best in Show honors four times. Therese won Best in Show twice (2021, 2025) and Michael won twice (2023, 2024). There is a reason we've been referred to as "the dynamic duo!"
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HI Travel Tales Co-FounderStoryteller, camera bug, wordsmith. Traveling the globe seeking unexpected, immersive travel experiences to share. I specialize in night, abandoned spaces, portrait, travel, food, and street photography.
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HI Travel Tales Co-FounderAdventurer, curious traveler, photojournalist, and lover of gin. I specialize in wildlife, nature, landscape, travel, and street photography. Forever in search of the perfect gin and tonic.
Our photographs appear on living room and professional office walls, in art galleries, in museum stores, in print and online publications, and on our website and newsletter. Our photos are regularly sought after by outdoor and travel brands to showcase their products, as well as visitors' bureaus and marketing agencies seeking to promote beautiful destinations around the world.
What we can do for you
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Photo Assignments | Licensing
We are always available to work on assignments for a publication, DMO, brand, outfitter, or agency to provide photography for marketing, story, and promotional needs. You can own the images we shoot, or we can create a customized licensing arrangement. Anything is possible depending on your needs and budget.
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Social Media Promotions
Through our social media channels – Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and LinkedIn – we can provide targeted product and brand promotion that is professional and subtle, but always includes product placement, requested brand tagging, and testimonial from our personal experience.
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Content Creation
We work closely with our partners (content and photo editors, brands, agencies, DMOs, and tourism offices) to create customized content packages that can appear on social channels, blogs, websites, and in printed materials. Content packages can include stories, social posts, and photography.
Accolades
2025
NATJA – 1 Photography Gold Medal; 2 Photography Silver Medals.
IFWTWA – Best in Show Photography; 2 Photography Gold Medals; 1 Photography Silver Medal.
2024
NATJA – Photographer of the Year; 3 Photography Gold Medals; 3 Photography Silver Medals.
PPA International Photographic Competition – Bronze Medal Wildlife Photography.
IFWTWA – Best in Show Photography; 2 Photography Gold Medals; 3 Photography Silver Medals; 2 Photography Bronze Medals.
OWAA Excellence in Craft – 1st and 2nd place Wildlife Photography.
2023
IFWTWA – Excellence in Journalism Award; Best in Show Photography; 2 Photography Gold Medals; 1 Photography Silver Medal; 1 Photography Bronze Medal.
NATJA – 4 Photography Gold Medals; 1 Photography Bronze Medal.
California State Fair – Best in Show Photography + Jurors’ Award.
InFocus – 1 Photography Gold Medal.
OWAA Excellence in Craft – 2nd place Outdoor Adventure Writing; 3rd place Photo Essay; 3rd place Action Photography; 3rd place Wildlife Photography.
Minimalist Photography Awards –3rd place Night Photography.
2022
IFWTWA – 3 Photography Gold Medals; 1 Photography Silver Medal; 2 Photography Bronze Medals.
NATJA – Bronze Medal “Best Independent Travel Blog; 1 Photography Gold Medal; 2 Photography Bronze Medals.
PPA Imaging Excellence Collection – Wildlife photo selected for the International Photographic Exhibition and the Imaging Excellence book.
2021
IFWTWA – Best in Show Photography; 2 Photography Gold Medals; 1 Photography Silver Medal.
NATJA – 1 Photography Gold Medal; 2 Photography Silver Medals, 1 Photography Bronze Medal.
2020
NATJA – 1 Photography Gold Medal; 1 Photography Silver Medal, 1 Travel Essay Silver Medal.
Washington Post Travel Photography Contest – 3rd Place.
Want to learn even more about us?
We’ve been interviewed numerous times about everything from what it’s like to work with your spouse and stay married to our takes on the world of adventure travel photography and writing. Grab a beer, iced tea, or other beverage of choice and give a listen.
Latest News
Big win for HI Travel Tales: Michael Hodgson took IFWTWA 2024 Best in Show for “Mirror Mirror” (top Nature pick) and also earned gold (Environmental Portrait) and silver (Nature). Therese Iknoian added two silvers (Night, Urban Landscape) and two bronzes (Urban Landscape, Landscape). It’s Michael’s second straight Best in Show.