Travel, culture, & photography

Entrepreneur | Travel Concierge | Tour Creator | Drone Pilot | Photographer | Videographer

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Enhance your life through art & travel.

Partner Choose Chicago & Tahiti Travel Specialist.
Click here for a virtual tour of Tahiti!

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Join me. Take a look around my site. I created it as a way to share my joy with you.

As a traveler, travel concierge, tour creator, photographer, drone content creator, cultural explorer, and polyglot, I am dedicated to curating unforgettable journeys that transcend the ordinary and offer a profound connection with the destinations I serve.

From the unexpected beautiful image to brighten your day to the latest news on events, my list is the first to know what’s new, travel specials, and what’s going on. And since I know you appreciate being the first to know, I invite you to sign up here and get a photo from Tahiti to use as a zoom background : click here to join me

Larissa

Follow me on instagram to see some of my travel photos and inspirations:

larissarolley

Travel, Voyages & Photography
Chicago, Tahiti, the World
✈️ drone pilot ✈️ Getty contributor
Connecting Cultures
#LifeIsBiggerThanBorders
👇🏼

The full moon sets before sunrise - leaving the sk

The full moon sets
before sunrise -
leaving the sky
to remember it.

To disappear
every so often
is its own kind of presence.

- Casamance, Senegal.

A drone’s-eye view of artist Chelsea Goodwin lyi

A drone’s-eye view of artist Chelsea Goodwin lying on the autumn grass beneath her wind-blown cyanotypes.
Strung between old rakes like a musical staff, the cotton prints flutter above her at the closing of the Terrain Biennial 2025
@terrainexhibitions
#terrainbiennial2025
@sensorial_fields

All for the love of Chicago ❤️ A splash of col

All for the love of Chicago ❤️
A splash of color along the lakefront - with the city skyline in the background.
These red trees seem to form a heart, reminding me why I fall in love with Chicago again every season.

Every fall, Chicago transforms - a city of steel and water wrapped in color.

Tout pour l’amour de Chicago ❤️
Une touche de couleur le long du lac, avec la silhouette de la ville en arrière-plan. Ces arbres rouges semblent dessiner un cœur, me rappelant pourquoi je retombe amoureuse de Chicago à chaque saison.
Chaque automne, Chicago se transforme — une ville d’acier et d’eau enveloppée de couleurs.

#AllForTheLoveOfChicago #ChicagoInFall #LarissaRolleyPhotography #chitecture #chicagoarchitecture #choosechicagofr #neveroutdonechi #chicagolove #dronephotography #djiminipro #chicagoskyline #lakemichigan #fromwhereIdrone @choosechicago

Through the colors of fall 🍁 Looking through a

Through the colors of fall 🍁
Looking through a canopy of red toward the heart of downtown - the Sears Tower in the distance.

10 years of Filter Photo honoring Jay Wolke in the

10 years of Filter Photo honoring Jay Wolke in the studio of Sandro.
,fun to see some friends - plenty of memories in black + white. 🖤

#FilterPhoto #ChicagoArtScene #PhotographyCommunity
#ChicagoCreatives #BlackAndWhite photos by @fotioco

Drone Portrait Session - Fall from Above Step in

Drone Portrait Session - Fall from Above
Step into a frame that’s uniquely yours - seen from above, shaped by light, color, and connection.
I’m offering drone portrait sessions that blend artistry and perspective - each includes edited photos and a short 3–5 second video for your social media.
Sessions resume once the skies reopen (TFR lifts after Oct 12).
📸 Prices start at $350 • Chicago area
DM to reserve your spot.
#DronePortraits #FallFromAbove #AerialArt #ChicagoPhotographer #DroneLove #AutumnLight

Getting ready for something special! ✨ Putting u

Getting ready for something special! ✨
Putting up some images for the Terrain Biennial 2025 at BornAgain Consignment Parlor in Printer’s Row.
For anyone new to it, the Terrain Biennial is a grassroots, international art event that turns porches, yards, storefronts, and unexpected public spaces into art venues. The 2025 theme is “DIY” Outdoor public exhibitions in your neighborhood kick off October 1st!

Join us for the opening in Printers Row on Saturday, October 4th from 3–6 p.m.
Two other wonderful artists (tagged here) will also be showing their work in Printers Row.
@travisroozee @foleywork Thank you to @chelsea_ann_goodwin for curating!

A big thank you to Born Again Consignment Parlor for generously sharing their space.
@bornagainparlor

RSVP at the link in my bio — hope to see you there! 💛
@terrainexhibitions

🎨 Terrain Biennial 2025 - Printer’s Row 🎨

🎨 Terrain Biennial 2025 - Printer’s Row 🎨
Terrain Biennial will be on view from October 1 through November 15!
This year's theme is DIY.
Three incredible artists will be featured in the Printers Row neighborhood.

Opening Reception with the artists: Saturday, October 4 from 3–6 p.m.
Printer’s Row along Dearborn St.

We’d love for you to join us!
Please RSVP at this link:
https://forms.gle/6L5nUyNkLggNSd6r8

I’ll be sharing more about my own project in upcoming posts -stay tuned!
#TerrainBiennial #PrintersRow #ArtInTheNeighborhood

how to become the water — borrow a handful of pe

how to become the water —
borrow a handful of petals
whisper your worries into them
watch them forget

find a stretch of sea
too wide to hold your plans
set no course, no rules,
only a laugh that fits in your pocket

then — slip loose,
float anyway

New article out! Discover the surreal beauty, icon

New article out!
Discover the surreal beauty, iconic architecture, and vibrant art scene of 𝗣𝗮𝗹𝗺 𝗦𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 in my latest article for 𝘙𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘢 𝘛𝘳𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨.
From 𝗦𝗮𝗹𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗠𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻 to mid-century modern gems, it’s a journey through color, creativity, and California sunshine.
Read the article here:
👉 English edition
https://revistatraveling.com/product/traveling71eng/
👉 Spanish edition
https://revistatraveling.com/product/traveling71/

how to say hello to July — scoop up sunlight in

how to say hello to July —
scoop up sunlight in both hands
toss a handful of petals into the sky
watch them catch the wind like secrets
find the bluest water you can
and dare it to dance with you
forget the clock, forget the map —
just float, just laugh, just 𝘣𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘯

Morning calm on Lake Chautauqua 🌞 An Amish fish

Morning calm on Lake Chautauqua 🌞
An Amish fisherman, with the water and rising sun — casting for bass in perfect stillness.
⁠

A night of celebration, a champagne toast, and mom

A night of celebration, a champagne toast, and moments captured through my lens—here are a few highlights from the premiere of 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙧𝙩 at Facets. Martin Hudson’s beautiful, real-life-inspired film was a joy to watch. Swipe through to see some of the magic! ✨

( I was honored to be the stills photographer and drone pilot for this project.)

#TheConcert #FacetsPremiere #StillsPhotography #DronePilot #ChicagoFilm

𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗳𝗹𝗼

𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗳𝗹𝗼𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴
set no anchor —
only the horizon, only the hush
then against the pull of gravity
choose to drift

𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗹𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿
ne jette aucune ancre —
seulement l’horizon, seulement le silence
puis, contre l’appel de la gravité
choisis de dériver

-Larissa Rolley

Excited to share this— The summer issue of Shots

Excited to share this—
The summer issue of Shots Magazine is out, and one of my photos from the Morning Ritual series is featured inside

Behind the scenes of a quiet morning in Goa…
This image of Kinnari Vora, was taken just after sunrise—after the walk to the beach, the ocean calm, the world barely awake.

No choreography, no cues—just Kinnari, the sea, and the soft rhythm of the waves.

#ShotsMagazine #MorningRitual #BehindTheShot #KinnariVora #GoaBeach #BlackAndWhitePhotography #GlobalPeaceTour #DanceAndWate

Drifting between worlds... Where sea meets sky, an

Drifting between worlds...
Where sea meets sky, and the spirit floats free.
The purau flowers (hibiscus) are floating on the water and kissed by the sky at sunset. 🌺✨
Blessings on this first day of May—may we move gently and bloom endlessly.

𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗼𝘄

𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘇𝗼𝗻
first, the breath —
the wide-armed promise
to the sky that you are ready.
then, the remembering —
how light is your oldest language.
finally, the lift —
rise, unfold,
become your own horizon.

𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗼𝗻 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗿𝗲 𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘇𝗼𝗻
d’abord, le souffle —
la promesse aux bras ouverts
au ciel.
puis, le souvenir —
la lumière est ta langue la plus ancienne.
enfin, l’élévation —
lève-toi, déploie-toi,
deviens ton propre horizon.

splash your joy, laugh the sea into dancing. écl

splash your joy,
laugh the sea
into dancing.

éclabousse ta joie,
fais rire la mer
jusqu’à la faire danser.

Sometimes, the earth speaks in shadows. 🌍🌳 T

Sometimes, the earth speaks in shadows.
🌍🌳
This diptych is part of an ongoing experiment—playing with visual echoes and the poetry of juxtaposition. The top half captures the bare branches of a tree reaching into the spring sky, while the bottom mirrors those same limbs, now etched in shadow across the earth. No leaves yet, just structure, memory, and promise.
On this 𝗘𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗗𝗮𝘆, I want to show there's beauty before the bloom.
Photography helps me slow down, look closer, and appreciate these subtle conversations between sky and soil, light and form.

#EarthDay

A fleeting moment of spring 🌸 A single cherry b

A fleeting moment of spring 🌸
A single cherry blossom opens on this branch along the water’s edge in Jackson Park, with the stately Museum of Science and Industry in the background. Captured on this sunny morning in Chicago — the kind that feels like a gift when rain and clouds are in the weekend forecast.
If you blink, you might miss this magic until next year.

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