Traveling & Being a Photographer (the truth!)

The truth of the destination photographer:

As I sit on my couch and relish in the Kittie cuddles and the relaxation that comes with being home. I think about the misconception of the traveling destination photographer.

I once got home from 2 weeks of travel that consisted of 1 wedding, 5sessions, six flights, and hours of travel in the car, along with four days of reconnecting with Justin. Between those travels, I had two days home filled with returning emails, editing, invoicing, cleaning, mail, going to the bank, one wedding, and one engagement session.

Then it was off on a plane again …

Life as a photographer may seem glamorous and beautiful, yes we get to travel to incredible places. Experiencing beautiful things with beautiful people … but … the truth of this is that we spend so much time away. In beds that are not ours, eat out a lot, work on our laptops with free wifi at the closet coffee shops, and rarely get to sleep.


Beach camping in Hawaii, polihale state park hikes, kauai camping state of Hawaii parks, Hawaii Photographers

This blog has been written and re-written a few dozen times and yet again. But COVID reminded me that we all work our butts off for our small business! I’ve worked for the past ten years at being a destination photographer!

We don’t just sit back and drink coffee in our yoga pants and wish clients came, and poof, they are there. We work late nights, then wake up early, groggily walk to the kitchen to make coffee, some wake up the kids, walk the dog. When we are all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, we get to go to our office and work on a dream we love and adore working our butt off for.

Another reason for this blog is to let those who think the struggle isn’t worth it! And that you aren’t doing something wrong because you haven’t won a particular award. Or don’t have thousands of followers on social media.

They are not better than you!

You are fantastic & if you work hard, you just might get that award! Beat that person on followers! We all start somewhere, and I highly doubt that person was fabulous when they first started!?

Keep doing what you are doing and learn from your mistakes, along with building your career with the blood, sweat, and tears that will come with it. And you know what? When you accept that award and kick that person’s butt in followers!?

You will hold your head high, look back at those tears, and say “it was worth it”.


Skógafoss Elopement, Skógafoss engagement session, Skógafoss Iceland, Iceland photographer, waterfalls in Iceland, Seljalandsfoss iceland

All the destination sessions and elopements have made me feel so blessed, honored, and loved. But as I returned home and was welcomed with:

“How was your trip?”

“How was your vacation?”

Before we left, we were asked,  “So you’re going on vacation again?”.

We have to explain that it was not a vacation. It was a business trip filled with everyday work events. With few bits to relish, we are in a beautiful place.

Every year is a year of experiencing as much as possible with work and life. And you know what, all the sleepless nights and plane rides with crying kids have been freaking awesome! And I wouldn’t change a single thing.

I want to sincerely thank you all for your love and support over the past ten years! Without you, this career of mine wouldn’t be possible – thank you, thank you for all the encouragement and support!

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