*In my Kitchen… shot with Portra 800 // Canon AE-1*

Road Life to Farm Life

After three years of living on the road in a tiny van and a year of being in limbo, I finally put down some roots. To my own surprise, it’s in the first state I explored when I hit the road by myself in 2021. I was still new to van life and I was still a little scared. I had never been to Vermont and it was far enough away to make it seem like I was really committing to the road but close enough to comforts of home in Connecticut if anything were to go wrong. I’ll never forget that day when I crossed the state line. I took one look at the map and just took the dirt roads that felt right. I planned for a few days but I I ended up spending a few weeks adventuring around the most beautiful part of New England I had ever seen.

There was a charm in every nook and cranny of Vermont. The forests were lush, the towns were quaint and the people were friendly. I felt a peace I didn’t know. I immediately wanted to move here but I knew I was not to give into my impulsive behavior just yet. After all, I had a whole country to see. I carried on to New Hampshire, Maine and eventually the west coast. I’m glad I kept driving because when I finally did return to Vermont three years later, everything aligned for me in the most incredible way. A way that seems too good to be true. A way that I just have to write a story about..

*Welcoming Winter… shot with Portra 800 // Canon AE-1*

Finding the Rental // November 2024

At the end of November 2024, my partner Ethan and I moved to a small town in Vermont for many reasons but mostly to live a more simple life surrounded by nature and to find steady community. Road life was amazing but it was not sustainable long term for me. I wanted to build a healthier routine, have my local spots, and explore new hobbies that I didn't have mental or physical space for in my small van. After a summer split between the Rockies and the Northeast, I knew it was time to settle a bit. I began looking on various sites like Zillow but the search went on for awhile as I was being super picky about what I wanted to rent. After all, if I was finally going to pay, it needed to check a decent amount of boxes… location, aesthetic, price, etc.

Ethan and I easily decided on a general location to begin our search in. I always loved the southern Vermont area (Brattleboro specifically) and Ethan has a plot of land in Guilford he is planning to build on this summer. I was more than okay finding a spot in this area I wanted to get to know more and he wanted to live near the build site he would be at daily. In early November, we went to tour these two spots on the NH/VT line. Just before we had to leave for the first tour, we ended up seeing the listing for this farmhouse on Zillow. The cover photo was of the kitchen and both Ethan and I immediately loved it. It had 50+ contacts and a couple applications already. We didn’t really care about the other spots anymore but we still went to see because we didn’t think we could be that lucky. After both tours, we both admitted we couldn’t stop thinking about the farmhouse. We decided to reach out via email introducing ourselves since we really didn’t have anything to lose at this point. By the luck of the universe, we received a response from the realtor. Were able to put in an application, be approved, put the deposit down and sign the lease within a couple of weeks.

*Afternoon Light… shot with Portra 400 // Canon AE-1*

Moving In // December at the Farmhouse

The last thing I wanted to do was move in the winter but I quickly realized it was actually the best time to do so. Ethan and I made the house a home within the first week. It became hard to leave but the season of rest allowed us to not feel so bad about staying in all the time. We wanted to enjoy our space and get to know it. We wanted to study the light throughout the day and learn the pattern of the sun. Of course, moving in would’ve been a different story if it had been spring or summer. Perhaps I wouldn’t have felt so inspired to decorate, to cook, to bake or to lean into new hobbies. Perhaps I would’ve felt rushed by the buzz of summer and I wouldn’t have moved at the pace I needed the most.

Something I think is really cool about moving during this time— I don’t really know what any of it will look like in the livelier seasons. I’m beyond excited to watch everything blossom this spring and see what is around. The amount that I have been appreciating winter right now makes me believe that spring is going to feel even more magical this year. I plan to plant some annuals, mostly Zinnias, as they are my favorite summer flower and the easiest to grow.

*December at the Farmhouse… with Portra 400 // Canon AE-1*

*Our Living Room… with Portra 400 // Canon AE-1*

Starting New Traditions

The first tradition Ethan and I began was visiting our local farmers market every weekend. As self-employed folks, it’s easy for everything (work, play, relaxing time) to blend so we try to follow a 9-5 schedule during the week and keep the weekends for fun. Every Saturday, we pick up our produce for the week and then hit the co-op in Brattleboro to pick up the rest of our groceries. We browse around town specifically the vintage shops like Boomerang and Twice Upon a Time. Lastly, we usually make a stop at the famous Yalla - an Eastern Mediterranean lunch spot that we recommend to every one of our friends that passes through. There’s a reason there’s always a line out the door!

I’ve never been one to get into holidays and neither has Ethan but we both agreed that it felt like the right time to start a few holiday traditions. The past year had been a little rough for me with family issues and I felt like being festive would help bring my spirits up. I was eager to decorate but I wanted to be intentional. I purchased a wreath from the farmers market and Ethan suggested cutting down a tree from his land. It was a tree that probably been cleared at a later date and we ended up repurposing a lot of it so we didn’t feel as bad. After we admired our wonky, skinny tree all month long, we repurposed some of the stump, branches and needles. Ethan made hangers and saved some of the needles to put in a jar. I saw someone hang dry their flower bouquets their partner got for them overtime and put them in a big jar. Then at their wedding, they threw the dried petals. I am totally stealing that idea!

*Farmers Market Goodies... shot with Portra 800 // Canon AE-1*

*Getting Our Tree... shot with Portra 800 // Canon AE-1*

*Our Tree... shot with Portra 800 // Canon AE-1*

Welcoming Winter // January ‘25 at the Farmhouse

After the craze of the holidays, I finally felt like I had a chance to breathe. We had a few very pretty snowstorms— I mean fairytale type ones— where the snow rests on the trees and it’s a type of quiet I have never heard before. Winter was in full swing and I was welcoming it. I didn’t have to go far to find something beautiful to look at. I’d walk through the woods and on the trails around the house or across the street in the big open field.

I used to dread the winter and usually ran south from it. I’ve lived in New England most of my life but managed to only be around for it a handful of times. When I lived in Connecticut, I usually booked a trip somewhere warm. When I lived on the road, I spent the summers up north in the mountains and the winters in the deserts of Arizona and Southern California. I thought I was thriving and maybe I was on some level but eventually, I realized that my body was screaming for rest. I needed to slow down, to hermit essentially and tend to the parts of myself that were going unnoticed in eternal sunshine. The dark season made many revelations surface. Now that I’ve welcomed it, I’m afraid I can’t go back.

*Welcoming Winter… on Portra 800 // Canon AE-1*

*Welcoming Winter… with Portra 800 // Canon AE-1*
I know not everyone wants to romanticized the cold and the harsh realities of winter. It isn’t always easy to get out of bed, to go outside and to stay motivated. At a certain point, I will ache to feel the warm sun on my skin and to hear the symphony of bugs at night. But for now, I know this season holds important things. This has been a time for nourishment. A time to nurture ideas that will blossom when the spring arrives. A time to care a little extra for my body and mind. A time to lean into new hobbies and tack off that big list of books to read. Perhaps another trick to surviving is to make your home feel as cozy as humanely possible. For me, it’s low, warm lights, a roaring fire and lots of hot drinks. I mean *a lot.*
Our days begin with hot coffee, then more coffee late morning, a pause in the afternoon with a hot green tea and then end with a hot sleepy time tea. Along with keeping on top of work and prepping for the busier seasons, I’ve been learning new things such as embroidery and knitting. I’ve also been trying to broaden my knowledge of plants and gardening. I cook everyday and I bake multiple things a week. I feel like I am living the way we are all meant to live.. simple, slowly and in tune with nature. I am grateful.

*Staying Cozy… shot with Portra 800 // Canon AE-1*

*Staying Cozy… with Portra 800 // Canon AE-1*

A Year at the Farmhouse // What 2025 Looks Like…

For the first time in awhile, I can make a ~rough~ plan for a period of time that is longer than a couple of weeks and man, does that feel good. While spontaneity and the unknown are all still needed, right now this chapter is meant to be a little different that past years. I’ve been craving a bit more stability and routine. Ethan and I signed our lease in late November and we plan to be here for a year. During this year, we’re focusing on our mental and physical health and our businesses. Along with those things, we hope to find community and ways to better support the local people. This summer, I will be helping Ethan build his dream cabin while soaking up my favorite season. Lastly, we plan to use our home as a creative studio to shoot for clients. I have already had the amazing opportunity to shoot a spring campaign for Parks Project— a few shots below. It was so refreshing to be in my own space to get it done. Prior to the farmhouse, I usually would have to book and travel to a cabin or other space to shoot in. While that was fun in its own way and made some jobs feel like a mini trip, I’ve felt way more inspired while being at home.

Every day, I pay a little more attention to everything around me. The smallest, most minuscule details that most people overlook. It’s been refreshing to pull inspiration and create from less essentially. When I say less, I mean insanely dramatic locations I was constantly exposed to on the west coast. I feel like I have to get more creative over here as it was really easy to find an amazing location out there to shoot a lifestyle scene or product for a client. I still focus on lifestyle/outdoor/nature photography but what I’m creating feels much different. It’s more about feeling and aesthetic rather than location. I really really like that shift.

My travel bug will always be here though. While I’m letting myself nest, I’m still planning small trips and dreaming up big ones. I’ve jumped over to Québec City in Canada and I’m hoping to get to Europe later this year. Travel won’t stop for me but it definitely will present itself in different ways. I no longer need to cram my entire life into a tiny van and try to see every place as quickly as possible. Instead, I want to move slower and take the time to get to know the place and the locals of where I am going. I’d like to treat myself with better airline seats or a bit fancier stay. I still have some saving up to do but I know I’ll get there. For now, the goal is to remain as present as possible in my new home and learn as many new things as possible.

*BTS of a Parks Project Campaign… shot with Portra 800 // Canon AE-1*

Ethan for L.L. Bean on Portra 400 // Canon AE-1

If you’ve made it this far, thank you! I’m incredibly grateful for the chance to build my dream life and to share it with you. I want to be even more intentional this year and provide work with more substance. To kick off 2025, I released a highly requested film guide that is now available in my shop. It’s beginner friendly and briefly touches on all you need to know to get started with 35mm film photography. You can purchase it here!

All of the film shown in this blog was developed and digitally scanned by Negative Lab in Los Angeles. I have been sending my film here for almost 2 years now and I am always pleased with my scans. I cannot express the difference the lab makes! If you’re interested in giving them a try here! use ‘WILD15’ for 15% off your next order. For transparency, I do not make any money when you use this code but I do receive a discount off my processing services by spreading the word for a small businesses. Whether you’ve read this post or use my code, every little bit helps keep me doing what I love. I thank you immensely for that.

For more work and easier updates, follow me on Instagram. Next blog up: A Week in Québec City!

I Moved to a Farmhouse in Vermont