Photo: Ross Goldberg
THE INSATIABLE TRAVELER
I created The Insatiable Traveler because I love world travel and I wanted to use my experiences and the lessons I’ve learned to help make your journeys the best they can be.
I photograph and write about amazing (often remote) destinations, exciting excursions, interesting cultures, nature and wildlife. Not to mention travel and photography tips. My hope is my photos and tales will inspire you to seek adventure (however you define it), and connect with the people and places you visit.
(All photos are mine unless otherwise indicated)
A LITTLE ABOUT ME
I am a mid-western gal (from Michigan to be exact) at heart who considers herself a New York native after living over 20+ years in Manhattan.
For eons it seemed, I worked in communications. My last in-house position was V.P. of Corporate Communications at Condé Nast. At the end of 2012, four years into the economic crisis, my luck ran out, and I was laid off. (That sucked).
Over the next six years, I juggled a freelance career and a growing passion for photography–I always loved travel). By 2018 I was miserable; I no longer enjoyed the work that had fueled me most of my adult life. My profession had been my cornerstone, and seemingly all of a sudden, I hated it.
I was lost. Enter anxiety, depression, and confusion. Not fun.
I wanted to travel and photograph my adventures, but I’d have to start pretty much from scratch. Months went by, and I was paralyzed. Finally, thanks to good friends and an excellent therapist, I made the leap. Ironically, once I made the decision–and the sky didn’t fall–my anxiety vanished. Who knew?
Since then, while it’s scary to begin a new life after 40, I’m much happier, and I’ve had some incredible experiences, and there’s more to come. Is it easy? Hell no. But I’m going to keep plugging away.
accolades

2021 SATW Bill Muster Award “Photographer of the Year”
See winning portfolio here
Photo District News
Award for “Animal Portrait” in “Faces” annual competition
(See Bing.com photo above)
Muster Photo Competition
2018: Gold Award for Action and Adventure
2017: Silver & Bronze Muster Photo Award for People Portrait
2017: Silver Muster Photo Award for People General
2017: Muster Merit Award for Cultural
Additional Nods
2017: Discover Corp’s “17 of the Top Travel Bloggers to Follow.”
My photos have been featured multiple times on National Geographic’s “Your Shot Daily Dozen.”
I was included in WordPress’ “World Through a Lens: Photographer Blogs to Follow Now” as well as featured on the platform’s “Freshly Pressed” and “Discovery” showcases.
Public Speaking
2020 — Women’s Travel Fest
Improving photography skills with storytelling
—SATW Virtual Conference judge for two sessions of “Why Don’t My Photos Sell or Win.”
2019 — Fast Company Innovation Festival Fast Track with Shutterstock.
Travel and the future of photography.
2018 — American Express: Panelist for the launch of The American Express Hilton Honors Card.
Travel tips
2017 — ATTA Elevate Panel
Free apps and technology to help small businesses
Podcasts
Amateur Traveler
Award Winning Travel Blog and Podcast helping real travelers plan real trips to their own backyard or around the world.
Speaking of Travel with Marilyn Ball
iHeart Media radio show/podcast, Speaking of Travel, broadcast each Sunday morning at 10:00 am on 570 WWNC. Listen anytime on the IHeart Radio app, Buzzsprout, TuneIn and other popular podcast platforms.
As seen in....
