Thrilled to Be the Travel Community Leader at BlissDom

I wasn’t really sure how I would work this week’s p52 theme, Self Portrait, into this site.  I don’t talk much about myself here and the majority of my photos star my adorable girls.  Then I remembered that I am the Travel Community leader at BlissDom this year and I should really do an introduction post.  So I’m killing two birds with one stone, so to speak.

Self Portrait

So, this is me, in my favorite chair, which I rarely get to sit in.  If I do have the opportunity- after writing, taking care of my family, exercising and travel- you’ll find me curled up here with a book or my Kindle .  Reading is my favorite hobby.

Leading the Travel Community at BlissDom

BlissDom is the only conference I never miss; this will be my 4th year of Bliss.  I’ve made so many friends the past few years and BlissDom gives me the chance to see them ‘in the flesh’ (a sad rarity) while being surrounded by women who ‘get what I do’ (another sad rarity).

So, about the Travel Community Leader thing… I’ve been blogging since 2004 and began focusing on travel in 2005.  I’ve worked with large corporations, PR firms and small CVBs.  I’ve been pitched for trips and I’ve pitched my own.  I’ve learned a thing or two about how to establish relationships that will continue to grow after a trip is over.  I’m looking forward to chatting with anyone who has questions about travel blogging, pitching CVBs, tourism boards, hotel chains or large corporations.  Looking for outlets that pay travel bloggers?  I’ve got a few of those, too.  I would also love to chat with you if you want tips on traveling with kids…  I’ve been at it since my girls were babies, I’m a pro by now.

Let’s chat before BlissDom!  You can find me on the Family Rambling Travel Media Facebook page, @iatraveler on Twitter, and even Google+ (though not as much as I probably should).  If you have a question go ahead and ask or if you want to sit & chat at BlissDom let’s set up a time- I’ll probably recommend we meet at Findley’s Irish Pub (just a warning). 

About my photo…

I have been playing with my new camera, an Olympus PEN E-PL1. I adore it. The size is fabulous for a traveler, the interchangeable lenses give me more options and with the choices of shooting in a variety or automatic modes or in completely manual modes, I’ve finding that I love taking pictures!  For this photo I used the ‘Art; Soft Focus’ setting.  I’m really happy with the soft feel of the photo- definitely a nice setting for those of us who are not as young as we once were…