When I started blogging, I had no idea what to expect. It took some courage for me to put my thoughts out there for anyone to read because I have always guarded them so closely. It’s almost like being in high school again. There are moments in which you rate your self-worth on how many people visit your site in a day. It’s as if it is a measure of your popularity– kind of like in high school. When I first started, I would check my stats daily to see how many people gave a s#!+ about what I had to say. Then I started to realize that I just didn’t care, because there were so many more authentic benefits I was already reaping. My life became more fun regardless of who was paying attention. So I stopped worrying about who was reading, and I just focused on how much I was enjoying my new hobby.
Then my life got crazy. And I stopped blogging altogether. I just didn’t have time, and I just didn’t feel like it. So I quit writing for 6 weeks. I felt guilty, but I gave myself permission to take a little break. With that permission came a little freedom. And the day after I granted myself that freedom came the comment: “Hi, Laura! I work at a travel magazine and would like to use one of your images. Can you contact me?”
I thought it was a scam. I thought it was too good to be true. I didn’t trust that something this cool could happen. Who even reads my blog?
But after some correspondence, here we are. My photo is in the October 2011 issue of National Geographic Traveler Magazine…
…twice!
This is the photo…
…and it appears on pages 65 and 115. The piece is titled “Taste of Travel.”
These tacos were from Las Palapas in Playa del Carmen, and they (along with the setting) were absolutely perfect. The blurb with the photo is from Jacques Pepin about shrimp tacos from La Fragata, my other favorite fish taco place. (Do not miss either of these, by the way.)
Okay, so it’s a little small, and the print with the credit to me is a little hard to find… but at least for a moment, I have arrived!
Just wow, and so many congratulations! Huge, huge, huge.
Congratulations, some more. Well done. 
Thank you so much! It’s quite an inspiration to hear that from a pro!
congrats!! great photo! i wish i could take photos like you lol
Haha! Thanks! I wish I could take photos like me too. I guess you get lucky every once in a while!
That is SO cool! I’m way jealous. Congrats!!
Hey thanks! But you’re living the dream in Espana! I’m jealous
I totally get it! I used to do the same thing and now I just don’t care if anyone reads my blogs (okay, maybe a little). Is more for me…to live out my dream of travel writing. And if it’s just me and my mom who read then so be it.
But seriously, you’ve lived in Colorado for 10 years and never checked out the Aspen in fall? What are you waiting for woman?! Get out there…this weekend. Who knows, maybe you’ll end up on the cover!
We all still care a little, don’t we? I think this is my year for the aspens– funny how we ignore the beauty right in our backyard!
Enhorabuena, Laura! That’s fantastic!!
Thanks, Julie!
That’s awesome and congratulations are due! Well done, and great photography.
Thanks, Jennifer! Sometimes luck is on your side
Wow! Congratulations! You give me hope my hard work will also one day pay off.
Thanks, Rumpydog! Just try to have some fun while you’re working so hard, and it will definitely pay off!
That is really awesome! Congratulations!
Thanks, nomadruss!
Congrats Laura!!! That’s really awesome!!
Thanks, Sarah!
it may seem minor to you, but i’m still super impressed. i would DIE to have my photos published in national geographic! AH!!
Ha! Thanks, Kandyce! It’s beyond my wildest dreams! I never thought this could happen!
Hi, Laura! This is awesome and thank you for doing such a great write up about your adventures
Thanks, Molly! I’m glad you’re enjoying it!
Very well done!
I once had a photo published in a magazine so I know just how excited you must have been, although mine wasn’t in anything quite so HUGE as the National Geographic. I am so jealous.
Thanks, Johnny Tomorrow! Isn’t int nice when someone else sees value in something you created? Congrats to you too! You should share your photo that got published.
Congrats on getting published!
Thanks, it’s amazing what a little luck will do!
Congrats Lolabees! Can only imagine the elation!
Aw, thanks, Nise en Scene!
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I’m still new enough to blogging that I get a thrill when I see my photos published on my OWN blog! I can’t imagine what that moment must have been like for you. Congrats! It’s a fabulous photo!
I can relate! The moment was amazing. I’m sure not unlike having your peppermint dessert photo featured on the Bon Apetit website! Thanks, Laura.
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