15 Years of Tahoe Treasures
Prior to opening the Tahoe City Bluestone Jewelry... Read Article
With the beauty that Lake Tahoe offers, it is no wonder that our community is blessed with many great photographers who capture her splendor with impressive expertise.
One of these awe-inspiring photographic artists, who shows a keen eye for the stunning visuals that can arise both in this special landscape and abroad, is Chris Talbot. Chris not only has impressive talents behind the lens, but also is a beloved part of the community. From running one of the most popular galleries in the basin to being a sought-after wedding photographer, from providing one of the more entertaining tours in the area to offering custom photographic courses to help people learn technical and practical aspects of photography so that they can create their own beautiful imagery, Chris is a glowing example of the positive entrepreneurial mindset that is a backbone of the area.
I was so excited when Chris offered his time to partake in our Get to Know the Locals series. This is a man who makes all of our lives more appealing through his art, and his responses give us a chance to know him a little better. Keep reading to learn the how, what and why behind the man who brings sparkle to life via his camera.
How long have you lived on Lake Tahoe? I've lived in Incline Village since 1977.
Where did you grow up and live before you came here? I grew up in Malibu, California, until I was 11 years old, and then I was dragged here to Incline Village with my skateboard in hand.
What inspired you to create a local business? I needed money and my only skill at the time was bartending and photography. Plus, I realized I could talk to people really well. With that Talbot Photography was born. That was 1992. In 2015 my brother and I saw the need for a tour company, and we started Around Tahoe Tours.
What’s your favorite Lake Tahoe town or village? My favorite Lake Tahoe town is Incline village, but I also like Kings Beach and Tahoe City where it all began. For example, in 1868 there were only 28 year-round residents in Tahoe City.
What’s your favorite season in Tahoe? Everybody likes the summer for sure. I do like the spring a lot as well as the fall. Pretty much for me, any time of year when things are quieter and there are fewer people.
What’s your favorite Lake Tahoe beach access? My favorite beach access is hard to get to nowadays. I usually go to the Incline beaches because I have quick access, but if I had it my way, I would be able to be dropped off at Hidden Beach for a good day of fun and swimming. My good friend Carole Buck just passed away. I used to love going to her house because she has the best beach.
Do you have a favorite trail or area to access the mountains? Anywhere where we can get above and look down is a fantastic place to hike and enjoy the view.
What do you do for fun? What do I do for fun? I enjoy my life always. I like to travel out of the country. I also like to go to my family's ranch, Pesky Ranch.
Describe your perfect day off. My perfect day off would include being at the beach, swimming with my brother and friends. Spending time with my daughter also ranks up there as a perfect day. A good dinner somewhere in town would be the cherry on top.
Do you see more sunsets or sunrises? I have seen more sunsets, for sure. Nobody likes to get up in the morning. LOL.
What’s one thing you wish more Lake Tahoe visitors knew? I wish that Lake Tahoe visitors knew that they did not have to use their car. The amount of traffic in the basin is sadly ruining our beloved Lake Tahoe.
Where do you go on vacation? My vacations are in Southeast Asia, primarily Vietnam. I'm doing a book about 25 journeys through Vietnam that I'm very excited about. I'm almost finished and look forward to seeing the final product.
For a celebratory dinner, would you rather order take-out, go out to eat or cook something at home? I like going out to dinner. My favorite places to frequent include the Old Range Steakhouse or The Soule Domain.
What’s your favorite meal of the day, and where in Lake Tahoe would you get it? I'd have to say lunch. I really like chicken salad, and the best one is at Tahoe Central Market in Kings Beach. It is so yummy with cashews. All it needs to finish it off perfectly, in my opinion, is just a couple of crackers.
What’s your favorite thing about your job? My favorite thing about my job is that I can make my own schedule, always. Before Facebook photography was very different and used to be something that I took a lot of pride in because there were very few people who did what I did. Travel photography is special. You either can do it or you can't do it. I can do it. Not to toot my own horn, but I'm probably the best travel photographer on earth. I'm more proud of that than anything else. It's not for everybody.
Do you have any side hustles? Of course I have side hustles. Unless you are filthy rich, you need some money to stick around Lake Tahoe.
What’s your favorite way to unwind after a busy day? For me, a cold beer and a short tequila paired with enjoying the company of good friends can't be beat.
What’s one item on your bucket list? I have a few locations I want to go to around the world with my daughter, including the South Pacific and the North Island of Japan.
Be sure to check out Talbot Fine Images to see Chris's stunning photography.
Photography courtesy of Chris Talbot
About the Author Shanie Matthews
A longtime Lake Tahoe local, Shanie is a freelance writer, Vinyasa Flow yoga teacher and positivity warrior. A true lover of the the gorgeous Tahoe region, she connects with the serenity of the mountains via skiing, biking and backpacking. She also believes in the gift of yoga and its way of allowing one to become his or her true best self, a passion she shares with the world with her online yoga studio.
