We started full-time RVing last November 2020 and we soon realized we couldn’t sustain ourselves on our savings for two years like we hoped. It costs to live and we enjoy exploring!

Jeff used to work in corporate America by working for IT firms. He’s other talents include being really good mechanically and likes helping people. He did lots of research and determined getting his RV Technician and Inspector Certification would work for living on the road. He decided to go the National RV Training Academy.

When RV’s are going down the bumpy roads, they are really ‘moving earthquakes” en route to their destination. Plus RV’s are notoriously made poorly so there is always something to fix and at least do some preventative maintenance on.

Jeff took RV Technician school for 6 weeks. He learned how to diagnosis and repair the RV’s exterior, heat pump, air conditioning, RV refrigerators, water pumps and more.

Then the last two weeks of April, he took RV Inspector school. You know how you have home inspections? You also need an RV Inspection to determine how sound the trailer or Class A Motorhome is.

Please check out Jeff’s website: Umbrella RV.

I wasn’t a big New Orleans fan. I had gone there in the mid-’90s for a neurosurgery conference when I worked at the Cleveland Clinic. I mostly remember the stuffed alligator heads in the gift shops. I don’t drink so Bourbon Street doesn’t appeal to me.

Well, I was in for a surprise! I loved New Orleans and I was thankful to come during COVID when there weren’t a lot of tourists. Of course, I missed the live music and the jazz. But what I love to do the most is to wander and take pictures, so that’s what we did!

“Our relationship with our Mother is birthed simultaneously with our entry into the world. We take our first breath of life and display the initial dependent, human longing for protection and love in her presence. We are as one in the womb and on the birthing table. This woman, our mother…all that she is and is not…has given us life. Our connection with her in this instant and from this point forward carries with it tremendous psychological weight for our lifelong well-being.” Karyl McBride, Ph, D.

We came to Clearwater Florida to see my parent’s friends, John & Sue. It had been about 20 years since I saw them last and I’m hopeful I can connect with as many people as possible on our adventures.

We spent 2 weeks in Clearwater and enjoyed their biking trails and time with John & Sue. They are so generous and kind. They were always a bright spot in my childhood and they continue to shine love on everyone they encounter. They are just that kind of people.

I love horses and there was a gray Quarterhorse mare in the field and lo and behold, what did we see with her? Is that really a young buck?!

It truly was!

Imagine the very first night in your ‘new life,’ you go to sleep hearing bombing and gunfire. We heard that every night for the next 30 days. For some, it is the sound of freedom, for others, it is the sound of terror. I couldn’t imagine this being my everyday existence.

But here we were in Navarre, FL near the Eglin Air Force Base and Special Ops. The Air Force practices its precision nightly and with vigor! One night, it was so loud, Jeff my husband, got up to answer our door because we thought someone was knocking on it. Turns out it was their gunfire in rapid succession.

We had never been to Florida’s Panhandle before and wanted to explore the Emerald Coast. The Hideaway Retreat is also located on a private beach where we could walk daily and take in evening sunsets.

The Hideaway Retreat is decorated in Shabby Chic and the new owner put a lot of attention into the details. Here are some images I captured.

The Organizing shows are all the buzz and Richmond is getting a Container Store. I thought I was ready to downsize…then reality hit!

My husband and I decided in mid-July to sell our home, my car, and most of our belongings in exchange for living in a 300 square foot RV. We quickly sold our home and major items but downsizing presented quite the challenge.

See if any of these ring a bell for you!

Let me guess — You HATE having your picture taken?! Some of my clients agree that they would rather have a root canal then to have their picture taken!

These comments used to baffle me and it felt familiar! How could having your picture taken create so much angst?

After photographing HUNDREDS of amazing people, I identified the top three reasons people hate getting their picture taken. This insight led me to develop my own “Secret Sauce” for getting my clients to feel comfortable and confident during our photo sessions.

They say to leave on a high note and this is what I’ve decided to do.

2020 has been such a year of tremendous change. The forced “pause” in my business gave my husband, Jeff, and I time to reflect on what we want from our one precious and beautiful life together.

After much reflection, we decided to take a big leap to follow our bigger dreams ahead.

Jeff and I sold our home, my car, and our 4 bikes. We turned around and bought 2 more bikes, simplifying our lives all along the way.

I have the best job in the world. I get to create branded portraits of amazing people to help share their message to future clients and open doors to new opportunities. Recently I was awarded Best Richmond Portrait Photographers, which is thrilling! This award, along with my distinction for being a Top Branding Agency and a Top 3 Commercial Photographers in Richmond, is due to my amazing clients.

But life happens … and we have very little control of it. I experienced this truth HEAD-ON when I was being taken by ambulance to the emergency room a few weeks ago.

Shannon Loy of The Social Ginger and Mary Foley, an entrepreneur business coach for women, share 12 actions you can take today to still be open for business tomorrow.

I created the IdentityRVA exhibit in response to the hateful rhetoric in 2016. In 2020, IdentityRVA has taught me even more about the need to celebrate our differences and similarities.

What I did to pivot my personal branding photography business during the pandemic.

Your personal brand photos should reveal your authentic self.

Here are three ways I’ve found to thrive at work during challenging times.

We’re all creating new ways to get through these challenging days.

Age is a PLUS for your personal brand. These four women are living proof.

How do you grow your business?

Well, you can start by reaching new people who could benefit from your products and services. That’s marketing. You can also improve your ability to inspire others to hire you or choose your company by having conversations with prospects. That’s sales. But there’s another form of marketing and sales that’s often overlooked to grow your business: and that’s developing NEW products and services!