ISABEL NAO PHOTOGRAPHY

Travel, portrait, lifestyle

[isabelnao-blog]

In the woods with Timo and Doro. 

[isabelnao-blog]

My sweet friend Caroline in her apartment, somewhere in the Quartier Latin, Paris. 

[isabelnao-blog]

This is a short 1 hour hike that takes you to a stunning, cristal clear blue lake in the canton of Wallis, Switzerland. If you do it at the end of october, you hike through golden shining forests of larches. You can start from a place called La Gouille, which makes it a 50 minutes hike, or from Arolla, which will be 1 hour 30, and walk towards Lac Bleu. Starting from Sion, by car or by bus, you venture deep into the Val d’Hérens, past cows on pastures and little wooden houses. The forest through which you walk up to the lake will make you feel like you’re in a fairy tale. When we were there, the plants emanated a fresh, at times almost sweet, minty scent. The Lac Bleu at the end will simply take your breath away with its water and mountain reflections.  Try to go on a weekday and not during the holidays; it is a very popular place in the area and there will likely be quite a few people there, especially in summer. 

[isabelnao-blog]

This is the Eiger Gletscher and the Fallbodensee, near the Kleine Scheidegg in Switzerland. If you are looking for an easy, beautiful trip to a classic place in the Bernese alps, for example with friends visiting from abroad, this is a great option. It is physically very easy, as the little red train that you can see on the photos takes you all the way up, past the famous village of Wengen and its ski slopes. You can ride the train up to the famous Junfraujoch station for a unique view of the surroundings, but it is quite expensive. We hopped off at the Eiger Gletscher, which allowed us to admire the glacier from a very near point in a crisp, relaxing silence. In Switzerland, the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau are 3 famous mountains that you can see from quite a few places around the country. But I personally had never been so literally at their foot, and it was really impressive. We walked back down to the Kleine Scheidegg, which is a 15 minutes walk, and we found that gorgeous little lake on the way. The bonus: the trip to get there takes you through the gorgeous Lauterbrunnen Valley, where you can find up to 72 waterfalls plunging from the surrounding cliffs. It’s breathtaking and definitely worth a stop if you’re already in the area!

[isabelnao-blog]

Tabea and Mendi, part 2. In the fields

[isabelnao-blog]

Tabea and Mendi, part 1. Sunrise on top of the Säntis. 

[isabelnao-blog]

This was a hike to Lac de Salanfes in Wallis, Switzerland. We started from the camping “Van d’en Haut” by the Vallon de Van (where you can park your car). It is quite a steep way up, but there are lots of trees for shade. It took us about 2 hours because we took our time, others may make it in 1 hour 30. You arrive at the foot of dam, which is pretty impressive. From there it is only a couple more minutes to the inn, where you can refresh with food and beverages and also get a bed for the night. We chose to continue straight away to the lake shore, on a path that was surrounded by luxurious vegetation. We had lunch by the water and took a (really really cold) bath. I would definitely recommend trying it, as you will feel nicely refreshed for the second part of your hike. You can choose to walk around the lake, which is about 1 hour 40. We chilled a moment by the water before getting down to the camping again. If you pay attention, you might notice a mysterious little entrance in the mountain’s wall. Of course, we had to enter and explore the inside. It was incredibly cold and dark. On your way down, take the road instead of the stairs, you will come across some stunning cliffs and cute waterfalls. 

[isabelnao-blog]

Back in June, at the end of a long work day, we met nearby this golden field to make some photos. Wandering through nature and fields, carefree. Soaking in the sun, plucking flowers, making crowns with them. 

[isabelnao-blog]

[isabelnao-blog]

[isabelnao-blog]

[isabelnao-blog]

[isabelnao-blog]

[isabelnao-blog]

[isabelnao-blog]

Andy and Rianna’s wedding, London, March 2016. 

[isabelnao-blog]

A photo story shot for Herschel Supply on a trip to Graubünden, in the east of Switzerland, with the girls. We were greeted with a snowstorm and it was the best way to spend that afternoon. 

[isabelnao-blog]

From a spontaneous shooting with Baba and Simon in the french Alps, near Avoriaz. These two are simply awesome together.