Candice | Writer/Photographer

Hi, I’m Candice, your purpose-driven nomad. I’m here to empower adventurers like you to create an intentional life through van life, travel, outdoor adventures, and intersectional environmentalism. ⁠ ⁠ I bring you along on my travel adventures, lessons from the road, and all the silly magical moments in between. Plus, I share 15+ years of experience as a nomad, international backpacker, wilderness guide, tour guide, and van lifer with all of you!⁠ ⁠ Here are a couple of fun facts about me: ⁠ - I built out my ’88 van with nearly all recycled materials.⁠ - I have been practicing yoga + meditation since I was 12 years old and studied in India in 2018.⁠ - I attempted to get over my fear of heights by bungee jumping out of a hot air balloon. ⁠ ⁠ Let me know what brought you here or tell me some fun facts about you! #nomadiccreators #vanlifejournal #slowtraveler #travelphotography #womenontheroad #vandwellers

Sometimes maybe good, Sometimes maybe sheet. I think that’s van life in a nutshell but also just life. I think van life gets emphasized because most people’s perception is that van life is just booty shots thru the backdoors in beautiful places and frolicking in fields of wildflowers. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good wildflower frolic. But we’re also just living, doing chores, maintaining the house, dancing while we cook, and crying on the side of the road. You know... normal stuff. Shoutout to @christinelozada for the close-up of me crying 🤣😅 #solofemalevanlifer #vanliferealities #sonyalphafemales

Stop listening to people who have never been where you want to go.

I've never had a night like this!

This story starts in the boom town of Goldfield Nevada, where we find ourselves repeating history of the early 1900’s. ⁠ ⁠ George S Nixon, a Nevada Senator, owned the bank and was a collector of mines. He and George Wingfield bought every productive mine in the district. The district was called Grandpa, because it produced like the grandaddy of all mines would! They proceeded to bleed the earth dry and those who worked in the mines. ⁠ ⁠ No conflict of interest here… A government official using their wealth and power to control land and people? Never! And even if they did, we would never repeat that history, right?! ⁠ ⁠ The workers were being overworked in unsafe conditions and they had had enough. In December of 1906, they went on strike. The Wooblies, or the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), stepped in to support the workers. Many joined the Western Federation of Miners and raises were awarded. ⁠ ⁠ A few months later, Nixon convinced President Roosevelt to send federal troops on the grounds that “the situation was ominous.” The day troops arrived, wages were reduced and unionized workers were let go. Troops stayed for 15 months! Eliminating any chance for workers to regain their rights. ⁠ ⁠ There are a few lessons that can be gleaned from Goldfield. ⁠ 💰 The ideals of the robber barons of yesterday are alive and well today. ⁠ 👮 Law enforcement isn’t for the people but for property. ⁠ ⁠ Check out the full article in the bio!⁠ ⁠ #mindfultravel #liveintentionally #travelslowly #nomadcreators #womenontheroad #vanlifediaries #sustainabletravel

To be a mindful travel photographer, you gotta follow a few key practices. ⁠ ⁠ Embrace other cultures by learning about their cultural norms and showing them respect, as well as giving back to those communities that are so welcoming to us.⁠ ⁠ Travel is a two-way street. We take experiences and memories, and in return, we give back something meaningful. This is a thank you to those people and places who have enriched our journey.

Tucked down alleyways of Goldfield, Nevada, you find Rocket Bob’s Art Cars covered in pieces from the past. They once paraded onto the Blackrock Playa for Burning Man as “Mutant Vehicles.” Psychedelic souped-up cars could throw flames, electrify the eyes with neon and bring out a giggle from the biggest curmudgeon as their fluffy-haired naked troll dolls whizz past. ⁠ ⁠ Learn more about Goldfield and the Free Range Art Highway in my recent article (link in bio). ⁠ ⁠ #mindfultravel #liveintentionally #travelslowly #nomadcreators #womenontheroad #vanlifediaries #sustainabletravel #travelnevada What would you put on your art car???

This practice extends beyond photographers...⁠ ⁠ Avoid disrupting the environment and animals⁠ ⁠ Avoid interfering with the animals and disrupting the environment. The key is to capture the environment as it is, not as we wish it to be.

✨ Ever looked up at the night sky and wished you could capture its magic? ✨⁠ ⁠ My new Astrophotography Guide is here to help you do just that—no fancy gear required! Learn how to photograph stars, the Milky Way, and nightscapes with intention, beauty, and clarity. ⁠ ⁠ 📸 Easy techniques⁠ 
🔭 Gear tips
⁠ 🌙 Shooting settings
⁠ ⁠ Save this guide & start shooting the stars tonight!⁠ Let me know if you have any questions ⁠ ⁠ #Astrophotography #TravelPhotography #MindfulTravel #PhotographyTips #VanLifePhotography #StarPhotography #EthicalTravel #ConsciousCreator

Whenever I start diving into the history of this old mining town or the name of this or whatever... I’m always surprised at how little has changed or how far the ripple of impact goes. ⁠ ⁠ This is Goldfield, Nevada, once a thriving gold mining town affectionately known as the Queen of the Mining Camps. By 1906, the population had surpassed 30,000, and $10,000 worth of ore was being extracted daily from the mines. That would be about $357,000 today. ⁠ ⁠ It was booming! They had everything! The entertainment alone was a lot, they had luxury clubs, restaurants, saloons, and sporting clubs. It even had three newspapers, five banks, and a mining stock exchange. ⁠ ⁠ Like every boom, there is a bust. Many of the mines were bought up by wealthy businessmen. The wage divide grew as the wealthy got richer on the backs of the poor laborers. ⁠ ⁠ Check out the full article, link is in the bio!⁠ ⁠ #mindfultravel #liveintentionally #travelslowly #nomadcreators #vanlifediaries #sustainabletravel #travelnevada

If you missed last week’s presentation but still want to become a more ethical travel photographer, check the bio for the replay and freebie! ⁠ ⁠ Let me know if you have any questions about photography or ethical travel photography.⁠ ⁠ 📸 Photo cred to @follexposures for that sweet portrait.⁠ ⁠ #slowtravel #ethicaltravelphotography #intentionalliving #mindfulcreators #travelphotographer

Being a more mindful/ethical travel photographer means following a few best practices. This series provides foundational tips. Use it to develop your own systems and practices.⁠ ⁠ Support local conservation efforts⁠ ⁠ Your work as a photographer can help conservation efforts in tangible ways. By promoting responsible tourism and highlighting the beauty of natural areas, you can inspire others to help protect them.