Hi! My name is Natalie and I own Good Earth Photo. I'm a wedding and elopement photographer out of Boise, Idaho, but I travel all over the PNW and do international destination weddings as well.
Safety First
When traveling alone It's important to take precautions first
It can be scary traveling alone as a women in today's world. Before I set off on any trip I make sure to tell my husband and parents where I am, where I'm staying and what I'm doing. That being said 90% of the time strangers are kind and there are no issues, but you can never be too safe.
Another must for keeping yourself safe is downloading offline maps for when you're traveling in remote places that don't have cell service so you don't get lost. There's been so many times when I left a session, the sun has set and it's pitch black with a quarter tank of gas left and no idea which way to go to get back to my hotel.
Being in remote places it great for photos, but not so great when you're lost. Thankfully my car car has a built in compass that I've had to use to help me get into the right direction.
Another must is making sure you don't drive tired. I love to use this as an excuse to try out all the fun coffee shops along the way. Coffee shops while traveling give you so much insight about the area that you're in because the baristas always have the best recommendations on where to go and what to see!
Why and how to make the most of your work trip
I've been solo traveling since I was 14 years old, and have now been able to make a career out of it with my wedding and elopement photography services. When you travel for work more often then not you don't get see the sights, try foods or have any memorable experiences because you're there for work.
This why I make sure to stay to at every destination a day early - this ensures that any unforeseen travel mishaps (flight delays, road closures, etc) don't make me late or miss the event completely and allows for me to get out and see and do all of the things.
Seriously! Every couple (and I bet your boss too) appreciates wanting to avoid being late, so it's super easy to justify getting there a day early. Now you get the oppertunity to explore and make of your trip, while still being professional.
Nothing is worse than being late or missing the event all together because of travel issues outside of your control. By taking the initiative to show why it's necessary they'll love how you think of everything and how prepared you are. It's truly a win win situation!
Case in point
See how I do this IRL
For example, I'm often going to Seattle for weddings. Seattle has an amazing food scene and I plan my travels so that I can always try something new and I always stop by Pike place market the morning I leave to make the most out of every trip.
I've been able explore the downtown, Alki beach and stop at many of their state parks that I never would have been able to see if I didn't prioritize having a day to myself.
This a huge benefit for myself, but also for my couples as they get the best version of me that comes in with fresh eyes and excited to be there! You cannot pour from an empty cup, which is why it's so important for you to make time for yourself. Life it meant to be lived. Finding a balance between work and life is the key to having a successful career and happy fulfilling life.
The best is when I get to go somewhere new. Like in January of 2025 I'll be doing a Mexican wedding in a small town outside of Cancun. Because of logistics I couldn't get a flight that allowed for a full day before, so I get to have an extra day after their event.
I've already started to get on tik tok, google maps and the resorts website to plan my free time, find restaurants to try, underrated spots to see and must see tourist traps. I'm nothing if not a slut for a good tourist trap.
While I love my job, it's important to me to make the most out of every opportunity that comes along when it comes to travel. Seeing as much I as I can as often as I can is everything to me. We only have one life and it shouldn't be spent always working.
Thank you for reading and make sure to subscribe. We're constantly exploring new destinations and share our stories, tips, and the beauty we discover along the way.
