Hi Everyone,

I’m finally back home, and while it feels great to be here, I could definitely do without the heat and humidity in Washington, DC.

The past six weeks took me through London, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Sylt, Paris, and Iceland. It was an incredible stretch—though not without its mishaps. In Paris, my camera bag fell from a luggage rack, and my super-telephoto lens shattered. A tough lesson, but a clear one: always carry your own camera gear. Fortunately, Canon Professional Services came through with a fast, affordable repair. Maybe this kind of mishap is a rite of passage for travel photographers—or at least that’s what I’m telling myself.

Now that I’m home, I’ve been reviewing my images and getting ready to teach a few photography workshops around DC. I’m also excited to share that Miles and the Magic Camera, my new children’s book, is now available on Kindle and in paperback. I am now working on the next book in the series, Ziggy & the Hippos.

Grateful for the journey so far—2025 is already shaping up to be a meaningful year. Thanks, as always, for being part of it.

Take care,
Vito

Featured Travel Destination: Paris

I spent my birthday week in Paris, one of those cities that never gets old, no matter how many times you visit. This time, we stayed in the 2nd Arrondissement for the first time and absolutely loved it. We were just a five-minute walk from the Louvre, but what really stole my heart was discovering Rue Montorgueil. It is now officially my favorite street in Paris. Lined with incredible restaurants, charming cafés, and some of the best coffee shops in the city, it has a relaxed, local vibe that made every morning feel special. Speaking of coffee, my new favorite spot is Nami. Tucked right in the heart of the neighborhood, it serves up the kind of coffee that makes you want to sit and linger just a little longer.

We also discovered the Pinault Collection within the Bourse de Commerce, which was one of the trip's highlights. The museum itself is stunning, a beautiful mix of historic architecture and contemporary design, and the exhibitions were thoughtful and immersive. I’d highly recommend it to anyone visiting Paris, especially if you enjoy modern and contemporary art.

In the evenings, I spent a few nights wandering and photographing Montmartre. There’s something magical about that neighborhood after dark—the glow of the streetlamps, the quiet charm of the staircases, and the views over the city from the top of the hill. It’s one of those places where every corner feels like a frame-worthy shot.

Photography & Tech Gear I Love

All of my recommendations are related to power chargers this month:

• ANKER Nano 3-in-1 Portable iPhone Charger - what I love about this charger is that it has a built-in USB-C cable, so it’s very useful.

• Ridge Magnetic Power Bank - If you prefer a magnetic power bank, this is a great choice.

• 4-in-1 USB Cable - a very useful cable for all your charging needs

• Peak Design Tech Pouch - This is a very high-quality tech pouch.

What I’m Reading

This month, I was able to read more than I usually do. My goal of 50 books this year is attainable (I hope). My 2025 reading list can be found here on the link above. I was so happy to receive book recommendations from both Rhonda and Ian.

Here’s your reading list for the month with hyperlinks to each book’s official or publisher page (or the most reliable source available):

• Midnight Black by Mark Greaney

• What an Owl Knows by Jennifer Ackerman

• The Art Thief by Michael Finkel

• Everything Is Tuberculosis by John Green

• Love at First Psych by Cara Bastone

• The Fish That Ate the Whale by Rich Cohen

Got a favorite read? Please just hit reply and share your latest page-turner.

YouTube Videos I Recommend Watching

1. 7 Simple Daily Habits That Will Change Your Life (Stoic-Inspired) – by Ryan Holiday

2. My Trip to Antartica by Kyle Kotajarvi

3. 10 Camera Accessories I cannot live without by Julia Trotti

Photo of the Month

This month, I am working on Long Exposure Shots —this is the Maison Rose Restaurant in Montmartre during the blue hour. It took a lot of patience to get a shot without people in the frame.

Final Note

"If my mind can conceive it, if my heart can believe it, then I can achieve it." —Muhammad Ali

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Thanks for reading,

Vito