Girl sitting on red rocks in Moab, Utah, and holding camera. — Hello beautiful readers and adventurers! I can’t wait to recap a bit of my journey from 2025. I’m going to get right into it because I like to consider myself a no-fluff person. We’ve got places and things to experience!
But first I want to give a massive thanks to God, my family, friends, church, and photography support coach and group for giving me the confidence and courage to take giant leaps of faith, pursue my dreams, and rest in the presence of a moment.
Our moments are fleeting but the feelings last, and I hope to help preserve those in the photos I take.

Here are some successes (and maybe silver lining failures) of 2025 for SoJourney Photography:

Firstly….SoJourney Photography was born!!
I recently made the decision to rebrand and rename my photography. Some of you may previously know me as “The Wandering 1,” in which I primarily designed landscape photography-products (hats, hoodies, luggage tags, etc.) since 2019. That was my first endeavor as an entrepreneur, and I learned SO much! I absolutely loved that journey but—after much prayer and deliberation—decided it was time to switch tracks. I’ve been photographing people for years in between running the clothing business, but felt my heart more and more pulled to making photoshoots the primary focus. It’s a tough life for all of us trying to balance so many things, so unfortunately I had to make the bittersweet decision to put the clothing designs on hold—temporarily or permanently is TBD, but this has given me the time and space to more consistently pursue photoshoots!

Girl happy and taking selfie in front of arch in Moab, Utah. — Renaming to “SoJourney Photography” felt more in line with my brand, and I’m excited to see where all of our journeys take us!

Adventure Elopements became my jam
I dove headfirst into photographing more elopements, families, couples, newborns, maternity, action sports, lifestyle, and even pets! From ski slopes and ice waterfalls, to the jungles of Vanuatu, to local construction sites, I was immersed in capturing the moments that create peoples’ stories. In all my shoots, the ones that I walked away the most stoked about were the documentary lifestyle and adventure couples’ shoots who embraced the outdoors. This combination was the birth of my new passion: adventure elopements!

I attended some of the last of my outdoor swag festivals
As mentioned above, it was time for me to switch tracks, but still needed to sell the inventory I had! So I attended some of my last outdoor festivals which has been a huge part of my summers for the past 6 years—and honestly geared me up well for working in weather. Extreme heat, cold, rain, hail, microbursts that flattened tents and sent product into Kansas….basically any weather shy of an earthquake, I endured, pivoted, and learned from. This has further equipped me for working in the elements for adventure elopement shoots!

In May, I documented stories and helped deliver humanitarian supplies to local villages in the jungles of Vanuatu
This was one of the most incredible experiences of my life, and not one I took lightly. For many years I’ve been wanting to go on a mission trip, because ultimately I want to use my gifts to serve others. On a five-day trek through mud, rain, and mosquitoes, I visited 6 different Vanuatu villages with a team of amazing people whom I created lifelong bonds with. We brought dental hygiene products, learning materials, and most importantly, much-needed water filters. To be so remote and learning from the incredible locals who live off the land, are so connected, and don’t have all of the “stuff” that we Americans “need”… it was powerfully humbling. The village chiefs and people gave us so much in terms of hospitality and kindness, and I personally wanted to give back through photography. I trekked miles with not just my everyday camera equipment, but also with a polaroid. It was my goal to not just document their powerful stories to share, but to give them the ability to share as well. In each village, dozens of families lined up to have their photos taken on these little polaroids—the only photo they have of themselves to pass down. Before the trip, I didn’t realize this gravity, and absolutely plan to return with bigger and more film, and possibly even gift polaroids themselves to the locals. I love how photography isn’t just about taking photos—it’s about recording a moment that would otherwise fade and disappear. It’s my goal to continue using photography not just to capture incredible moments of couples, but to capture personal lives that matter to the world and to God.

Check out more of my mission above, particularly my favorite part of gifting polaroid photos for these amazing families!

In October, I made it down to Havasupai Falls in the Grand Canyon of Arizona
This had been a bucket-list item and so it was an easy “yes” when I got invited to travel with friends. I hadn’t anticipated the hike being so strenuous, and there were some events that led to me running 7.5 miles up and out of the Canyon at the end (I’ll save that story for when we’re out capturing your day!) but that experience has helped me fine-tune minimalist packing, give me confidence that I’m stronger than I think, and renew my passion for being completely immersed in the outdoors. And—holy smokes. One of the most beautiful places I’ve seen in America! 🌄

Five times I flew around the country (and world) to be with family & Friends for important events
Family is everything to me, and I’m probably most sad when I miss important life events connected with their lives. When able, I do everything I can to be present and supportive, because witnessing their successes and tender moments sustains me in my own. This year I had the pleasure of being on my dad’s last flight to Amsterdam as he retired with Delta Airlines—a career he chose 25 years ago. The best part? He told me he always wanted to fly, and he made it happen. To say I’m proud of him is an understatement, and I’m inspired to pursue my own career-passion in life as well. Hence why I’m here my friends, writing this blog and planning future photoshoots! 😄 📸
Other trips that made me happy include flying back to my roots in Eastern Maryland to reconnect with old friends at my 15-year high school reunion, attend a long-needed family reunion in North Carolina for my mom’s side, flying back to MD to celebrate my dad’s retirement with friends and family, and flying to Washington state to be with my grandma, aunts, uncle, and cousins for Christmas. Since we’re all spread out over the country, this is the first time we’ve all been together in years, and it was one of my most special Christmases. 🥰

All year, I photographed amazing people in epic places. Here are some of my favorites:
- In June, I photographed a beautiful proposal on the top of Aspen mountain!
- In July, I photographed a full-day couple’s adventure in the Flat Tops Wilderness area in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, which included camping, off-roading, stargazing, a picnic, and lakeside-relaxing.
- In August, I photographed a wedding anniversary at the base of a hidden waterfall near Aspen, Colorado. This was quite the adventure hiking through slick red rock canyon and climbing up the side of some other falls to get there!
- In September, I photographed an elopement amongst golden aspens and an old historic Mill in Marble, Colorado. This couple brought their Jeep and we took sunrise photos in the glass-reflection of Beaver Lake, then off-roaded to the old mining town in the dead of fall! (aspen leaf emoji)
- In October, I photographed a very unique elopement in Aspen, Colorado—they danced in both stars and sunrise on the inactive ramp of Aspen Airport’s taxiway to commemorate their employment there together, then headed to an overlook on the Continental Divide to say their vows!
- In November, I was stoked to photograph three elopements in Moab, Utah, which included all epic activities of Jeeping, horseback riding, hiking to arches, stargazing, and even skydiving!

These are some of the bigger moments of 2025, but gosh I’m so grateful for the little moments as well. Every little step leads to something bigger!

Speaking of, there are exciting things coming up in 2026, including already booked elopements! I’m honored couples are already reaching out and trusting me with once-in-a-lifetime memories. Epic upcoming elopements include a ski elopement and ice climbing elopement in Colorado, and a river cruise elopement in Switzerland! I can’t wait to meet more amazing couples on the horizon, and see what other adventures 2026 holds. 🥰

Thank you my friends and many blessings in the new year!