Gray Malin, photographer, bestselling author, travel expert, and founder of his eponymous lifestyle brand, has a new book out now: SNOW. Within the hardcover book, the captivating pages feature scenes from Aspen, Vail, Park City, St. Moritz, Courchevel, St. Moritz and Antarctica.
“SNOW is my love letter to the many winter wonderlands on our planet,” Malin said. “It took me 15 years to make, longer than any other of my coffee table books, due to the difficult nature of shooting in variable weather conditions. I had many shoots get postponed, sometimes for years.”
It’s no surprise then, that Malin, who is often recognized for his aerial shots of beautiful destinations, is constantly traveling. He even took this interview in the sky en route to Philadelphia during his book tour.
On that note: he prefers the window seat, “so I can look down on the beautiful world below,” he said. Malin is also a carry-on-only traveller. Upon arriving at his destination, the first thing he does (naturally) is take a picture.
Between raising two kids, traveling, and a book launch, he gave us a snapshot of his work life, trips and hotel preferences.
Galavante: What’s always in your travel bag, no matter the destination?
Gray: A David protein bar, a sweater, my camera, laptop, iPad, and of course, noise cancelling headphones.
Galavante: What trip changed the way you see the world?
Gray: Antarctica. It really made me value the world in a different way. If you have the chance, it’s worth the journey, as it’s an incredible experience and adventure that will give you much more appreciation of our earth. I went with National Geographic Expeditions and there is a great Antarctica chapter in my new book, SNOW.
Galavante: What’s the most underrated place you’ve visited? The most overrated?
Gray: We spend our summers on Lake Michigan, and I am shocked more people haven’t been as it’s so beautiful. One place that is overrated to me is Mykonos. There are so many other islands in Greece that one should experience that are far less crowded.
Galavante: Where do you think everyone should go at least once?
Gray: Everyone should go to South Africa once. I suggest a few nights in Cape Town, a few nights in the neighboring wine region, Franschhoek/Stellenbosch and a few nights on a safari.
Galavante: Is there a destination that’s still at the top of your bucket list?
Gray: There are so many. Kenya, Tanzania, Egypt, Chile, South Korea, to name a few.
Galavante: What instantly tells you a hotel is exceptional?
Gray: When someone from the hotel personally reaches out to you and offers to help tailor your trip to your needs. Also, a great bathrobe.
Galavante: What’s the most memorable hotel you’ve ever stayed in?
Gray: La Residence in Franschhoek outside Cape Town. The Franschhoek House at the hotel specifically.
Galavante: What’s the best travel advice or tip you’ve ever received?
Gray: I love putting fresh sheets on my bed, and clean towels in the bathroom before leaving for a trip, so I come home to a fresh home. There is nothing quite like taking a shower and tucking into your bed after a long trip.
Galavante: What is your favorite travel advice to give?
Gray: I think you should always track your incoming airplane to see if your arriving flight is on time. Airlines often notify you too late about delays and you can look and see where your inbound plane is coming from, usually well before you leave for the airport.
Galavante: Where are you headed next?
Gray: I am currently on a plane to Philadelphia, then headed to DC, Denver, Houston, Palm Beach and New York City to promote SNOW.
Galavante: What is your favorite souvenir, where is it from and what is the story behind it?
Gray: I have many souvenirs that mean a lot to me, but a recent purchase was a sperm whale tooth at a tiny little store in Sitka, Alaska. Our kids think it is so cool as it truly looks like a dinosaur tooth.
Galavante: Do you ski, snowboard or participate in winter sports?
Gray: I am a skier and love being on the slopes.
Galavante: Of the destinations featured, which was your favorite?
Gray: One spot that really stood out to me was Megève in the French Alps. The town is so charming and has a vintage quality but paired with a fun and vibrant ‘Après’ scene. I had so much fun exploring the town, skiing the slopes and staying up late. It felt a bit like St. Barths, but in the snow. I would love to go back one day with friends.
Galavante: Did any of the featured destinations surprise you?
Gray: So many! The back bowls in Vail are pretty unbelievable and were a beautiful backdrop to create a vintage styled project. I also think the Tetons in Jackson Hole are breathtaking when you see them for the first time. Also, the Matterhorn in Zermatt does not disappoint. It’s as stunning as you could imagine.
I also love the diversity of the book: Aspen to Antarctica, Iceland to Jackson Hole, Zermatt to Whistler, Vail to New Zealand and so on.
Galavante: What’s the most spontaneous trip you’ve taken?
Gray: I was in New Zealand and the weather shifted, and my helicopter got cancelled. When I got home to L.A. a few days later I saw the weather had cleared and I literally booked the next flight and went back to do the shoot.
Galavante: Given your collections of dog photos, do you have a favorite breed you love to photograph? What is the best location to photograph dogs, and how do you get them to behave?
Gray: I love dogs so much and cannot imagine life without them. I personally own a Golden Retriever, but my favorite dog to photograph is Dalmatians. They are really artistic to me. We get them to behave with a lot of trainers and a lot of treats—and patience! I think photographing the dogs in a human-like setting is the most comical: at a cafe in Paris, at a pool in Beverly Hills, or a private jet in Palm Beach.
Galavante: Anything else you’d like to add about travel?
Gray: I’d rather travel well in life than live in a mansion.
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