Carmen Polanco

Carmen Polanco has had a camera in her hand for as long as she can remember. Her grandpa gave her her first camera, a simple automated point-and-shoot. Her whole family was extremely enthusiastic and eager to pose for her; striking candid stances, cheerfully posing for birthday shots, and striking every other possible position! Polanco was inspired to pursue photography by her family's encouragement. Summers in the Polanco home meant planning vacations to East Coast national parks. Carmen would be eternally thankful for these travels since they not only brought the family closer together, but they also instilled in her a passion for wildlife photography. Carmen recalls these family vacations fondly, from Acadia to Biscayne. Photographing the Atlantic coast from Acadia National Park to Biscayne National Park's mangroves and the wetlands of Everglades National Park was a once-in-a-lifetime adventure for Carmen. Carmen has taken it upon herself, in line with tradition, to provide her children with the same experiences she experienced as a youngster. Trips to national parks have become a family ritual because she wants them to fall in love with nature as much as she did. This time, though, their journeys would lead them to West Coast national parks. She has visited Yosemite National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Redwood National Park, and the Grand Canyon National Park with her family thus far. They're planning a vacation to Utah's Mighty 5 national parks this summer. On her blog page, Carmen Polanco discusses her childhood excursions to national parks as well as ones she's done with her own family. You are encouraged to learn more about her photographic exploits in these parks by going to the page.