Meet the Team

Nate Deans - Founder of News Travels, Photographer, Journalist

About me - I’m just a guy who loves photography. My grandpa was an Army photographer, and took some famous photos. I did some Army time myself, but wasn’t for me long term, I studied photography, and had my own darkroom for years. I was lucky to shadow some amazing photographers during that time, including someone from National Geographic. I don’t consider myself a professional, as i’m always learning new techniques, and styles. I feel a close connection to my Asian roots. I also enjoy automotive repair, giant road side attractions, goofy tourist traps, Bigfoot, aliens, ghost hunting, van life, rock hounding, mushroom hunting, music, hiking, bushcraft and survival, travel, mental health advocacy. I’m currently tying to learn some filmmaking, and have some documentaries, and short films I will be working on soon. We also will be doing some interviews, blogging interesting people, places to visit, and eat, local, and across the map. Keep an eye out for our new blogs of what we are currently up to. You will see some ideas for fun places to go, or that you might want to see also. Steph keeps me going to fun places with my camera, and pushes me to accomplish more. She buffers a lot of outside stuff so I can focus, and be the best me. She always amazes me with her knowledge of mushrooms, and rocks. We also have friends that we collaborate with, one of which is my dad, who is also a photographer here in the PNW. It’s sometimes fun to shoot in a group, so If you think we would be a good fit, want to collaborate, or would like to come learn how to use your new camera, then get in touch.

Stephanie Seibel - Journalist, Photographer, Travel Director

About me - I grew up in Western Washington, I have moved a few times, including living in Eastern Washington for 10 years. I just love the outdoors, rain or shine, gardens, forests, canyons, birds, flowers, bugs, mushrooms, lichen, minerals and gems, and last but not least, photography. I also love taking my dogs everywhere possible, but sometimes it is just too challenging for me, so I rely on my partner in crime Nate. It’s everything outdoors for me except when it’s heavy rain, wind, or snow. Therefore, if its like that outside, I enjoy my many indoor activities such as, brewing, ceramics, crochet, VR, YouTube, reading, painting crafts, PC gaming, singing, dancing, concerts, and I love playing my flutes and piccolo. In fact I am working on incorporating my music into my outdoor activities by playing my flutes out in the woods. I have a strong interest in science, metaphysics, and pseudo sciences since the very young age of 10. However, I have always had the curiosity and motivation to explore the unknown, to have courage, and venture into big scary spaces as a young as the age of 2. Since I could walk, and open a door, I was headed outside, and down the street meeting neighbors, and exploring the world around me. I begain enjoying photography when I went to college with my mom as an 8 year old child. I would spend time in the dark room with her, became her favorite photography subject, and listen to her explain black and white photo composition, and so on. I took many photos of my own beginning when I was a teenager. I used many disposable cameras, and then I acquired a small film camera. I would send my film off in the mail to Kodak to be developed. I upgraded to a small Sony camera in my early 20’s, and then a larger Canon camera in my late 20’s. I learned the basics of adobe photoshop and begun editing my own pictures. I also discovered snapfish, and fluttershy, and ordering my prints online. when smartphones came out, I began to use my canon camera less and less, and only pulled it out for special occasions like birthdays, and graduations. My passion was rekindled about 6 years after my separation, and divorce, when I met Nate. Nate is the most kind, humble, loyal, emotionally intelligent, and generous man I have ever had for a partner. I have met very few people with his level of compassion, and I keep these people close to my heart. Nate gifted me with a Sony a7r3, and a 100mm macro lens. I have been learning from Nate how to really use a camera to its fullest. He is an excellent teacher, and I have been learning more about Lightroom and photoshop, and using an iPad with a pen to edit. As you brows through my best and newest photos with the Sony, please be kind. I am my own worst critic, and I can see how I want to improve my photos and editing skills. I’m a human work in progress, as aren’t we all. Stay tuned as I learn and grow and make leaps and bounds my skills. I have no doubt there will be many more photos to come, and I will do my best to capture the great outdoors in it’s very essence, so that you can really feel like you are there with me.