ABOUT ME

I am a wedding photographer during the summer season and I try to tick off bucket list items in the winter. 2015 I started that, and did a bike tour down the West Coast of the US. (Note: November is a terrible time for that.) Each year I hope to continue that, and grow photography away from just weddings. Focus on travel, the people along the way, and what I can do to inspire others to get out and experience some of it. By hosting me I am also hoping you are willing to do some portraits and maybe sit down for a conversation about this.

PHILOSOPHY

You really get what you decide you are going to get. If you want to travel the world, you can make a commitment to that and it will happen. If you want to start a business, really committing to it is the first step and you will be amazed how things can start to fall into place. I'm not a philosopher but I do like to hear what others have to say and throw in a thought or two.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Every time you meet someone new, you make a connection. Even if it's brief, a few nights in California, ten days in Mumbai, turning to talk to someone on the street or in a bar to ask a simple question and coming away with a conversation where you are again reminded that though we are separated by distance and languages, we are so much the same. No matter where you are from. I did not learn about that until I started Couchsurfing, and I became aware of just how genuinely kind and open strangers can be. What is a stranger anyways? I won't start convo's like that here but I participate in Couchsurfing because you never know how or when a simple connection will change a life.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

My first and I'll never forget it, was in Rome. I was hosted for a week on the top floor of an apartment building looking over the city. The language barrier wasn't too bad and I was able to see different sides of the city I wouldn't have seen on my own. It's been the same story since 2007 when I started. Every host or surf is another chapter in the ever growing book of Couchsurfing. I was able to experience the first ever Tentsurf, and that was great as well.

Interests

My job is also my biggest hobby. I think about photography all the time and my eyes are constantly darting around looking for opportunities. If it can be claimed to be a hobby, trying new things at least once might be one of them. I am pretty open minded and you can't make assumptions about anything until you've tried it, had the experience.

Paragliding - Not that exciting. I need to try hang gliding or sky diving.
Chicken Feet - Frustrating to eat, and the taste didn't do anything for me.
Midnight hot springs - With the moon and stars above in a canyon wash, this is amazing.
Solo camping in National Parks - So nervous the only night I did it...this one I will try again. It ended up being so freeing.
New Years Naked Polar Plunge - Lake Michigan is pretty cool on New Years...but it was quite the emotional baptism.
Bike Tour - I don't hate the idea, but I'm picking a month with less rain for the next one.
Motorcycle License - Everyone should have one. Just knowing how to ride is awesome.

• photography
• karaoke
• hiking
• camping
• road trips
• adventure travel
• national parks
• driving
• campfires

Music, Movies, and Books

I'll admit, I haven't been great on any of these. I haven't read a book in a while, the last one was about hiking the Appalachian Trail by Bill Bryson. Also excited about Shantaram sequel, don't know when I'll throw down on that.

Recent movies include something with Tom Hanks, rom com I watched over the Atlantic. Finally saw Tropic Thunder...much better than expected!

Music, yeah, whatever feels good in the moment. I'd love to find some good Punjabi dance music, got into Bluegrass Saturday's on the radio, and I'm a sucker for throwing back to classic 90's music.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I have seen the Northern Lights from Oslo! I guess they're not usually down that far south, it really was pretty amazing.

Teach, Learn, Share

Stay two drinks ahead of reality...but three drinks behind inebriation.

Countries I’ve Visited

Antarctica, Bahamas, Canada, Colombia, France, Germany, Honduras, India, Italy, Kenya, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

Antarctica, Australia, Norway, United States

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