During the week, Matt Thiessen presides over a fifth-grade class at Brander Gardens School in Edmonton. But when school isn’t in session, the teacher hits the great outdoors with his camera, documenting Canada’s breathtaking natural beauty on his Instagram account, @mthiessen.
“My wife, Alissa, and I enjoy traveling, and the easiest, and perhaps most beautiful destination is only a few hours’ drive away from our home: the Canadian Rockies,” Thiessen says. “The mountains are our happy place and are the perfect subject for photography.”
“I’ve shot some of my favorite locations, such as Peyto Lake, Moraine Lake and Lake Louise, hundreds of times, but every time is exciting because you never know what Mother Nature will offer up,” he says. “The mountains are the same, but the leaves change color, the glacial flour adds to — and changes — the hue of the alpine lakes throughout the seasons, not to mention the changing snow — and ice — cover, lighting and clouds throughout the year. The mountains never disappoint!”
Indeed, the majestic mountains inspire awe, especially when seen through his lens. Thiessen’s below shot of Peyto Lake in Banff National Park was our most popular Instagram post in 2024, and he also nabbed another place on our list for a stunning Lake Louise photo.
Scroll to see the other destinations that landed on the list. For a chance to be featured in our feed, share your Instagram travel photos and videos with us by adding the hashtag #ForbesTravelGuide and tagging @ForbesTravelGuide.
