Where are you based?

New York City

What topics and places do you cover?

I write mostly about places and experiences I've actually had—about 90% of my stories are firsthand. I'm open to any destination if the idea is compelling. My focus includes upscale and luxury experiential soft adventure; small-boat expedition cruising; nature and wildlife travel; solo travel; remote or lesser-known destinations; Indigenous communities; and small, family-run businesses with something distinctive to offer. I also cover openings of unusual accommodations, adventure lodges, safari camps, and boutique ships.

Because I shoot my own images, a strong visual component is essential.

What you don't write about

I don't write spot news or pieces built from press releases. If you send a release, I'll take it as an FYI—since you've sent it to dozens of others, too. Also, skiing, gastronomy, and architecture-focused stories aren't the right fit for me.

What outlets do you usually pitch (and write for)?

Afar, Travel + Leisure, Smithsonian, Shermans Travel, AARP, Oltre Magazine.

The best PR pitches include …

Clear, informative subject lines and pitches tailored to what I actually cover—not mass blasts. If it's not news (like an opening), explain the story idea clearly and give concrete examples of what sets the person, place, or trip apart. Avoid jargon and trend-speak. And always include the “Why Now”—my editors need that to greenlight anything.

I'm happy to brainstorm, but reps still need to come with a basic sense of the hook. If you don't know your client's story, how am I supposed to?

Are you in-house or freelance (or both)?

Freelance

What is your approach to press trips?

I prefer to travel solo, so I have the time and flexibility to find multiple angles. Group press trips—unless it's an opening or launch—are fun and good for networking, but they're usually too rushed and over-programmed for me to do my best work. More importantly, stories from group trips are increasingly hard to sell unless I'm given an exclusive.

What are your professional pet peeves?

When someone asks me to brainstorm angles, promises to get back to me with answers, and then disappears. Why waste both our time?

Trip invitations with “Invite” in the subject line when what they really mean is: “You're invited if you can confirm placement.” I'm not looking to compete for a spot. If you're reaching out to me, I assume you've done your homework and actually want my participation.

And expectations of a confirmed assignment for a trip with no clear news hook—I can't pitch something I haven't experienced, and I'm not going to pester editors on speculation.

In your past professional life, you were …

In my first career, I worked in communications and public relations—both freelance and in-house—for fashion, business, entertainment, events, media, and digital clients.

Where would you like to return to?

Antarctica and the Arctic. I'd also love more time in Mongolia and Southeast Asia.

What's on your bucket list?

Too much to list, but New Zealand, Tasmania, and Australia are at the top. I'd also like to visit several of the Stans, explore small European towns and villages (I have a soft spot for cobblestone streets), and get to Chile and Bolivia.

Where do you travel for fun?

Wherever good friends are.

Your funniest (or most harrowing) travel story is …

Probably the time I was on a private jet during a press trip, and the captain forgot to mention he planned to buzz his village after takeoff. We climbed, then dropped fast. I thought we were going down.

What advice would you give your younger professional self?

For this second chapter, as a photographer and travel writer, invest more time and money in networking. It makes a real difference.

How best should people contact you?

Reach out through my TravMedia profile, but please take a moment to visit my website first to get a sense of my work and the kinds of stories I pursue.