“Shot by Shot: Chasing My Bucket List of Adventures Begins Again ”

“Becoming Me: A New Chapter Begins”

It’s been almost 10 months since I last logged in… and honestly, it feels like a lifetime. After my last camping trip, life took a turn I didn’t see coming. What started as a peaceful return home quickly turned into chaos. Everything changed—I had to move out and start over. I went from being surrounded by familiar faces to navigating life on my own, with only my kids and the few amazing people I’ve chosen to keep close krista, Megin, Leyland, violet, Mimi, Keven, Paton and my immediate  family members.

Those first few months were heavy. Stressful. Lonely. But through that storm, something unexpected happened—I began becoming who I was always meant to be. From a man surviving on the edges of my truth, I’ve stepped into the beautiful, powerful woman I am today. And even though the path was painful, it led me to healing, self-acceptance, and a strength I never knew I had.

Nature has always been my refuge, and I’m not giving that up—not now, not ever. Whether I’m kayaking across a still lake or ocen, paddle boarding under the sun, hiking through forest trails to a waterfall, or getting muddy on a backcountry path, being outside brings me back to myself. It’s where I breathe. It’s where I belong.

And through it all—every step, every climb, every quiet moment—I’ve had one thing with me: my camera. From the day I bought it, I’ve carried it everywhere. Every single day. Because I never want to miss a moment worth capturing. If I can see it, feel it, and frame it—I want to share it. That’s what photography is to me: showing the world the way I see it, one honest, beautiful frame at a time.

The LGBTQ+ community has lifted me in ways I never expected. They’ve welcomed me with open arms, reminded me of who I am, and encouraged me to return to what sets my soul on fire—my blog, my website, and my dream of being a freelance photographer.

This next leg of my journey isn’t about going back—it’s about rising forward. I had to heal. I had to find myself. And now that I’m here, fully present and fully me, I’m ready to pour that energy into every photo I take and every story I share.

I want to capture more than just landscapes. I want to capture the moments—those quiet, beautiful things most people miss when their heads are buried in their phones, or immersed in there busy life, A flower glowing at the edge of a trail. The light dancing through the trees. The feeling of standing at the top of a mountain after a hard climb. The magic at the bottom of a trail when you slow down and truly look.

This next chapter of my blog will feel a bit like the first one—but even better. It’s clearer. Braver. Me.

No filters, no pretending—just wild places, real moments, and the incredible journey of becoming the woman I was always meant to be.

Thank you for still being here. I’m just getting started.

“This is the beginning of everything—where truth meets adventure, and the lens finds beauty in places both wild and within.” 

Come along as I chase the adventures on my bucket list—one wild, beautiful moment at a time. Through every post, you’ll walk with me, paddle beside me, and see the world through the lens that’s captured my heart and my journey. These aren’t just photos—they’re stories, memories, and pieces of a life lived boldly in nature.

And if one of these moments speaks to you, I hope you’ll want to take a piece of it home—a print that captures the beauty my lens sees, and the feeling only nature can give.

Take care, and I truly hope to see you back here soon. The next adventure is just a scroll away.🌿📸✨

—Olivia