Honored to be named NATJA Travel Photographer of the Year in the 32nd annual NATJA awards!

Trained as a news journalist, I spent a decade as a daily newspaper journalist where I earned a Pulitzer Prize as part of a news team. Today, I combine prize-winning journalist's research, writing and photography chops with my passion for meaningful travel, discovering the unexpected, and inspiring others to take their own journey of wonder, whether in the backyard or across the globe.

Often teamed with my husband, Michael Hodgson, I create immersive award-winning stories and photos on our blog, HITravelTales.com, where I love to tell personal stories in photos and words about the people in a place to illustrate the depth and attraction of a destination. Getting behind the scenes drives my journalistic storytelling. In fact, many destinations tell us that our stories and photos are among the best that have been done about them! Our many testimonials vouch for that. Get a look at some of my photos here. I also work with destinations and agencies to supply photos curated to their needs with our HITravelTalesPhotography.com side.

My specialty areas and primary interests include local culture and history, people behind the destination, innovative food, creative drink, outdoor and urban adventures, Alpine trails, architecture, fitness and wellness, and boutique businesses that make a place hum. Set me loose in a destination and I'll make friends, create compelling photos, and find stories that most will miss. I think “why” is one of my favorite words. A few bits of trivia:

• Born, raised and based in California - a proud 3rd-gen resident now in Northern California
  • Secondary base in Berlin, Germany
  • Proud of a degree in real journalism, with my name on a team Pulitzer Prize for news
  • Also speak German and French
  • I am a "dummy," i.e. I have two "For Dummies" books to my name (Mind-Body Fitness, Tai Chi)
  • Member: North American Travel Journalists Association, Adventure Travel Trade Association, American Society of Journalists & Authors

My writing and photo honors and medals include:

> 2025 solo Photography Exhibit, Viewpoint Gallery, Sacramento, California

> 2023 Minimalist Night Photographer of the Year, Top 3

> 3rd place, 2020 Washington Post Travel photo contest

> 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018 NATJA awards: numerous individual GOLD, SILVER & BRONZE medals, plus 2021 overall independent blog bronze and HM (2018).

> IFWTWA inaugural photo contest 2020 BEST IN SHOW/GOLD, Silver x1; 2021-2023 photo contests, various Gold, Silver and Bronze medals.

> 2022, 2019 top 5% finalist "accepted to show," juried California State Fair Photography

My mantra on travel exploration stems from my father: I've been kicked out of better places than this.