I have a confession to make: I don’t really like social media all that much. ⠀ When I joined Instagram almost a decade ago, I was in my mid-twenties, living with my parents in the Bay Area, newly diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa and trying to wrap my mind around what it meant to be an artist going blind. Having lost the ability to drive, I would take BART into San Francisco every day I wasn’t working my job at a local optometry office where I constantly heard people complain about how “blind” they were without their glasses. I had never owned a camera before, but my iPhone captured my world: I shot photos of my day-to-day life like everyone else, but somehow, my images began to gain traction and I became one of the very first people on this app to be a Suggested User and thus develop a “following” — it was the days of chronological order, long before algorithms and sponsored posts. Instagram was truly about community. I met some of my best friends through this app — exploring Land’s End with photographers far more talented than I was more healing to my soul than any therapy session I’ve ever attended. Those days, social media was social. And it was fun. ⠀ Today, I certainly acknowledge the significant role social media has played in my personal and professional life — landing travel and career opportunities beyond my wildest dreams — and I am grateful for it. You have no idea what it meant for me to work with @ford to be among the first in the world to photograph the release of the 2015 Ford Mustang in Shanghai, or practice yoga with @yogagirl in Aruba with one of my favorite skincare brands @lovephilosophy, or launch my own creative agency @geographycreative two years ago where today I work with global brands on social + creative projects, like this trip to Banff last Fall with @dell + @nauclothing. The list goes on and on. Social media isn’t going anywhere, and I am grateful to have been a part of the evolution of this app. ⠀ But I have to admit, I don’t know that I like it that much anymore. The “perfect” posed and edited photos, the algorithms, the endless conversations with fellow influencers about how to stay relevant. [continued in comments]
Last night in the roastery. Calling back to a simpler time on Instagram: a quick iPhone snap with a quick iPhone edit to document a real moment. This is our baby. I’m trying to put into words what this photo means to me and utterly failing — just know that my husband can often be found here late at night packaging coffee and sweeping floors, long after everyone else has gone home. Nobody works harder than @nickvisconti, and as a friend reminded us yesterday, if anyone were to make a coffee brand work in an already saturated market... it would be Nick. Love ya Huz. Grateful to be making our dreams a reality side by side. #drinkcoffeedostuff
I’m thinking it’s time to go back to Hawaii. Who’s with me?! 🌺 Shot on @sonyalpha: a7R III | 90mm | f/16 | ISO 3200 | 1/1600 sec #alphacollective #sonyalpha #bealpha #bealphafemale
WE BOUGHT A HOUSE!!! ⠀ As cliché as it is, I have tears writing this. @nickvisconti and I have patiently waited years for our “forever” home in @visittruckee. Finally, at the exact perfect moment, God opened up all the right doors and before we knew it, our offer on our dream Lindel Cedar Mountain home in Glenshire had been accepted and we were signing papers. To say we’re grateful is an understatement — special shout-out to Nick’s Dad Joe our realtor, and our mortgage broker/dear friend @lukelewis_lifestyle_lender for making this happen so quickly and seamlessly. ⠀ And now the fun begins! You can bet I’ll be posting a gazillion photos of the nesting process, so stay tuned 😍🏡
Keep Tahoe Blue 💙
Just two Lauras, keeping an eye out for grizzlies 🐻 Pro tip: if you’re heading to Banff and want to visit and photograph the iconic Moraine Lake, you need to get there INSANELY EARLY. Even sunrise isn’t early enough. There will be a surprising amount of people trying to do the same thing, and parking is limited! 📷: @missruthanne
What does balance look like for you? What do you have to work on saying no to more? Sometimes just the thought of a healthy work-life balance with plenty of self-care sprinkled in is exhausting. There are days (like this past week) where simply showing up with my hair brushed was an accomplishment... then doing it again the next day, then the next. I know it comes down to what your values are (“if it’s important to you, you’ll make time for it”) but I feel like I have too many values sometimes LOL. Anyone else relate?! For me these days, the big things are getting back into a healthy exercise + eating routine (I wish every day looked like this photo!) and taking care of my mental health more intentionally. What about you? 📷: @rylander_west
It’s feeling like summer here in Tahoe ☀️ *cue all the locals sobbing/rejoicing* 😭 Can’t wait to share more from the recent @visitcarsoncity press trip I hosted a few weekends ago with my agency @geographycreative! Really enjoy sharing the lesser-known (but not TOO secret) gems of the @renotahoe region with friends visiting, such as Bonsai Rock. More to come! ⠀ P.S. If you want to rent clear bottom kayaks to explore Tahoe (spoiler alert: you do) hit up my friends at @the.wild.society! They’re the only company who offers clear bottom kayaking in Tahoe and let me tell you — nothing will make you feel like Ariel more than paddling out to Bonsai Rock while watching little silver fish lazily float beneath you. 🧜🏼‍♀️ ⠀ #visitcarsoncity #crystalkayak #laketahoe #renotahoe #travelnevada #bonsairock #geographycreative
RV life is the best life! 🚍 Last month, @nickvisconti and I explored Grand Teton National Park for the very first time via “Rick the Rig” rented from @rvshare, which is like an Airbnb for RV rentals. The process was so easy, and definitely won’t be the last time we explore a new place via RV. Full recap is up on the blog, including photo spots, where to camp, and more. Link in bio! 🇺🇸 #RVshare #GrandTetonNationalPark
Happy big 3-0 to this gorgeous human! 🎉 It’s been amazing watching you chase your dreams this past year... God has big plans for you, the best is yet to come! Love you dearly and can’t wait to celebrate with you later this week 😍
Waking up before sunrise never fails to yield an epic day. Loved this morning at Jackson Lake, one is the best views of the Grand Tetons (our campsite was just steps from here!). Which is your favorite: sunrise or sunset? ✨ Shot on @sonyalpha: a7R III | 16mm | f/22 | ISO 50 | 1.6 sec #alphacollective #sonyalpha #bealpha #bealphafemale
Finding wildflowers wherever I roam. 📷: @rylander_west
Visiting the Bay Area for a day? Having lived here most of my life, I have recs for days, but the way @nickvisconti and I did it last weekend takes the cake: ⠀ 1. Start with coffee and fresh baked pastries from @highwirecoffee in Oakland — such a cute little spot connected to a artisan market. ☕️ 2. Head into San Francisco for a few hours at Alcatraz! Super interesting place to explore, with a beautiful boat ride to get there. 3. Check into @claremonthotel in Berkeley — one of my favorite @fairmonthotels properties, with a stunning view of the whole Bay. 4. Walk over to Telegraph for dinner from Mount Everest Restaurant — delicious Nepalese food 😋 5. Head over to the Greek Theatre to catch a show. We saw one of our favs, @fatherjohnmisty_official, and he definitely did NOT disappoint! 😍 ⠀ When was the last time you played tourist in your own backyard? #claremont #fairmontmoments
Spring can be a tough time to enjoy the mountains — you’re over skiing but the trails can be too socked in to enjoy summer activities yet. Turns out, exploring the Grand Tetons this time of year was the perfect time to go: enough trail access to keep @nickvisconti and I happy, with snow-capped mountains in every direction, making for a picturesque trip with @rvshare! Working on my recap blog post today — LMK if there’s anything you want me to include about our experience glamping and exploring in @grandtetonnps. #RVshare #MyGrandTeton
Home On The Range 🚐🏔🦌 ⠀ It was time to check the Tetons off of our bucket list, so @nickvisconti and I decided to book an RV (Rick The Rig!) from @rvshare and explore @grandtetonnps which is quickly becoming my new favorite National Park. The best thing about traveling in an RV? Bringing the comforts of home with you everywhere you go, and being able to park right where you want to see sunrise the following morning. I will remember sunrise at Jackson Lake for a long time! Check out my Stories to see more from our first day out on the range. #RVshare #GrandTetonNationalPark #MyGTNP