We Asked a Travel Photographer to Share Her Favorite Photos

By Erika Owen
January 12, 2017
Sylvia Matzkowiak
The T+L Social Ambassadors are a team of photographers who are taking it to the next level on Instagram. These are the people we see living their best lives and inspiring our travels on a daily basis. These ambassadors help us all discover the world, whether it’s exploring a set of national parks, embarking on an African safari, or just taking some time to enjoy the sound of waves on a beach in Europe. Follow along as we introduce more of our ambassadors on the T+L website and social accounts.

There's a good chance you may have seen Sylvia Matzkowiak's photos in your Instagram feed. Her shots of still ocean beaches, vibrant greenery, and island scenes are the very definition of wanderlust. She goes by @goldie_berlin, and she's constantly traveling around the globe delivering a new bucket list destination straight to your phone.

"I started taking photos about six years ago through Instagram, which helped me discover travel photography," Matzkowiak says. "It quickly became a giant passion as I discovered the magical places others were experiencing and the fantastic photos people were taking. It was then that I started to save money for traveling." Since then, sharing her photos on Instagram has become a full-time gig.

When you ask her to recall a favorite vacation, she's quick to answer. "There is no real vacation for me now, as most of my journeys are also jobs for me." All of the bucket list experiences aside, it's a side of being a travel photographer that we don't often think about. But if she's looking to relax, there is one spot she can always count on: the Maldives. "You can relax and enjoy a beautiful view of paradise."

Finding the best photo opp is simple for Matzkowiak—just head outdoors. "I love a colorful sky during sunset. This always reminds me of earlier days before I was taking photos when I never realized how beautiful those sunsets really are. It's something that fascinates me. Especially after a rainy day, you can expect some dramatic views with incredibly colors."

We asked Matzkowiak to choose some of the best photos she's ever taken. The result is an inspiring list of must-visit beaches, islands, and other scenes that seem straight out of a daydream.
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Miami Beach, Florida

Credit: Sylvia Matzkowiak
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Maldives

Credit: Sylvia Matzkowiak

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Venice, Italy

Credit: Sylvia Matzkowiak
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Maldives

Credit: Sylvia Matzkowiak

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Bavaria, Germany

Credit: Sylvia Matzkowiak

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Greece

Credit: Sylvia Matzkowiak
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Maldives

Credit: Sylvia Matzkowiak

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Venice, Italy

Credit: Sylvia Matzkowiak

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Maldives

Credit: Sylvia Matzkowiak
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Canada

Credit: Sylvia Matzkowiak

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Maldives

Credit: Sylvia Matzkowiak

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Fiji

Credit: Sylvia Matzkowiak
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Maldives

Credit: Sylvia Matzkowiak

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Cape Town, South Africa

Credit: Sylvia Matzkowiak

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Maldives

Credit: Sylvia Matzkowiak
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Canada

Credit: Sylvia Matzkowiak

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Maldives

Credit: Sylvia Matzkowiak

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Bavaria, Germany

Credit: Sylvia Matzkowiak
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Cape Town, South Africa

Credit: Sylvia Matzkowiak

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Canada

Credit: Sylvia Matzkowiak

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Credit: Sylvia Matzkowiak
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Canada

Credit: Sylvia Matzkowiak

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Miami, Florida

Credit: Sylvia Matzkowiak
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By Erika Owen