I currently have and use the following:
- Sony DSLR A200 camera
- Zeikos 72″ tripod
- Lowerpro Cary Bag
- MacBook Pro Laptop

Assignment 1:
I’ve signed up for the Travel Photography course because I want to be able to take good pictures to accompany my travel blog posts as well my freelance assignments. I recently finished the travel writing course and just set up my personal blog. Now I really want to make my blog stand out with great photos. In addition to engaging writing, I know that I am drawn to print rich sites. I would like to be able to excite my readers through my images as well as my words in order to give them a full and rich experience.

Assignment 2:

1. AFAR Magazine images
2. Shutterstock.com images
3. Big Stock Photo landscape images
4. Fotosearch.com travel images
5. istockphoto.com travel and landscape images
6. Pilot Guides Photo Journals
7. Christina Craft’s Nature Stock Photography Library (I liked the presentation of this site)

Sojourner’s Sojourns
gosojogo.blogspot.com

Welcome to Sojourner’s Sojourns. If you sell products or services pertaining to travel and or international volunteerism and are investigating blogs to advertise in, please consider Sojourner’s Sojourns. As an emerging blog, we are developing a voice and following among savvy travel enthusiasts in their 20’s and 30’s.

Mostly female, the subscribers of Sojourner’s Sojourns are interested in international and national volunteer travel, and travel, mostly international that extends beyond the typical tourist and resort route. Our readers are practical in their approach to travel, and are not afraid to get a little dirty or push their comfort boundaries.

A combination of narrative travel pieces and useful evergreen content, Sojourner’s Sojourns presents a unique perspective to travel while providing readers with detailed and useful information.

Advertising options include vertical boxes and banners. Please contact me at: sojowalker@gmail.com to discuss your specific advertising needs.

Please visit the Media Kit link below:

Media Kit.pdf

PORTFOLIO

Welcome Reader,

Below you will find my writing portfolio. The portfolio is divided into three easy sections for you to peruse, complete with writing samples of both fiction and travel pieces.

As a writer, I am inspired when my senses are stimulated by both the familiar and the new, this is why I feel so invigorated by travel and writing about places and people I encounter on my sojourns. Working primarily with short form fiction and travel narratives, my work has made appearances both in print and online.

Thank you for your time and attention. I hope you enjoy the portfolio and I look forward to hearing from you.

Best,

Sojourner Walker Williams

………………………………………………………………………………………

About Me:

Sojourner Walker Williams is a fiction and travel writer, enthusiastic yogi and curious traveler. Currently working on a collection of short stories, she splits her time between Brooklyn, New York and Brandywine, Maryland.

What I’ve Written:

“When in Zazibar….” – January 28, 2010, TravMonkey.com www.travmonkey.com/2010/01/28/when-in-zanzibar/

“The Sauti Za Bursura festival is truly a multicultural affair, bringing locals, tourists and Afro-files together. It was here last year where I first experienced the sultry pleasure of Tarab music, a mixture of Arabic beats, Arabic, and soulful Swahili. I was even fortunate enough to see the grand dame of Zanzibari Tarab music, Bi Kidude perform live.”

“Missed the bus? It’s Time To Explore” – August 27, 2009, TravMonkey.com www.travmonkey.com/2009/08/27/missed-the-bus-its-time-to-explore/

“Mozambique is known as “Terra de beau gents”- land of the good people and you’ll find plenty of them in and around Maputo despite its reputation for being rough and dangerous. Maputo is gritty and yes, as with any big city you must exercise caution, but there is also another side to the city where life and humanity thrive set against the backdrop of the Indian Ocean.”

“One Hundred Legs” – 2009, Long Story Short

http://lssarchives.homestead.com/onehundredlegs.html

“Back and forth she roamed. In her mind, she no longer had a home. What she had was a dream invaded. Chin up, shoulders back, she marched forward. Down the street, down the block, belongings slung over her shoulder, her home growing more and more distant. It was her new life. She was a refugee really, driven from her home by a force too strong for her to bear.”

“Serendip” – 2009, Long Story Short

http://lssarchives.homestead.com/serendip.html

“ I am tired. The kind of tired where you can feel your eyelids sweat. And I’m anxious to be home and irritated that I’m sitting on a cold hard bench waiting for the train on a Friday night around 8pm. I am pretending to be engrossed in my book, in an attempt to ward off potential conversationalists. An older gentleman sits next to me. I give him a sideways glance to make sure he isn’t a crazy and satisfied, continue performing my role as a serious and intense bibliophile.”

“Beyond the resorts: 5 Ways to support local communities on your next trip”- October 19, 2008, TravMonkey.com
www.travmonkey.com/2008/10/19/beyond-the-resorts-five-ways-to-support-local-communities-the-next-time-you-travel/

“Part of the allure of traveling to a new nook in the world is sampling the cuisine. When traveling to the developing world that can be scary because it is hard at times to know what you can and can’t eat. Many tourists make the mistake of eating only at resorts or ex-pat owned establishments where the food is not only familiar, but typically very safe. You can get some great food this way, food that reminds you of home and at times while abroad that can be very comforting; however to truly experience a culture through its cuisine, you’ve got to take the plunge. “

“The Door of No Return” – May 2008, Pilot Guides www.pilotguides.com/community/travel_writers/ghana_door_no_return.php

“Ghana has a smell. It’s familiar and distant, like plants, humidity, smoke and burning wood. It’s an earthy comforting aroma. As comforting as the dusty red road that leaves its residue on my bare feet and ankles.”

“Connecting With Africa” – December 2007 (Issue No.5-6), About Time Magazine
Connecting With Africa.pdf

“Africa is the continent of my origin, and I felt a strong connection to it. At the same time, it seemed a terrible waste of my productivity to vacation in an African country for the sake of a vacation, when there were so many needs particularly in the area of education, my specialty. It was also crucial for me to have the opportunity to connect with the people of the country where I would be going, something that would be virtually impossible from a resort catered towards the comforts and whims of Westerners.”

Links:

Blog: www.gosojogo.blogspot.com

Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/gosojogo/

I have had the conversation so many times it’s almost choreographed. It begins with a question from my boyfriend Mark, and goes something like this:

“So what are your plans for next year? How are you going to pursue your writing?”

“I plan to just do it.”

“But what are your plans?”

“My plans are to save and focus on writing next year.”

“But what will that look like? You need to prepare for it. When I decided to quit my job and focus on music full time I had to prepare for it. I had to create a budget and make adjustments. You can do it too, you just need to prepare. I can help you.”

“But it’s different because…..”

Cue my barrage of excuses as to why it is so much more difficult for me to pursue writing than it was for him to pursue music. My pontifications go on and on until I have spun off on so many tangents that we become distracted and begin to talk about something else.

Today is different. Today I am taking a good hard look at my finances. I am taking the first step towards planning for the future and it is difficult.

I am fortunate to make a very good salary. I don’t have any credit card debt and I always have at least two thousand to put towards savings at the end of the month. In theory, this should be easy. I’ve managed to save a comfortable sum of money over the past few years, but it couldn’t be more difficult. I am afraid of watching my cushion diminish. I am afraid my hard work will disintegrate into nothing; which takes us to the root of the issue- the paralyzing fear of the unknown. This is the first thing that I have to let go of.

I have decided not to think about my savings. I have decided to pretend they don’t exist. I won’t even factor them into the equation. Instead I’ll focus on areas where I can reduce my spending. My basics such as rent, my monthly subway fare, my phone bill and my student loans aren’t going anywhere. I can however make adjustments to my cable bill, the amount of money I spend to buy food during my lunch break, I can curb my impulse shopping, and I can cut back on eating out which I do too regularly. And let’s not even get into my monthly happy hour tab.

My new best friend is the financial tracker application on my i-phone. I can log everything into neat little categories so that I can see explicitly where my money goes. There is hope. After careful analysis, and with discipline, I can skim off between $400-$600 per month. I will of course have to convince my boyfriend to go without cable, but if I can buckled down, stick to a budget, and stop making excuses, nothing is impossible.

The next phase of the planning process is the most sobering. Travel publications about everywhere. Many are welcoming and accessible to the novice writer, but the pay on its own is not great. Which leads to the formula, how many articles and stories will I have to publish in order to survive monthly if I were to quit my job?

The majority of publications pay on average between $20 and $100 per story. If I am able to publish ten one hundred dollar stories in a month, I will be fine. If I publish ten twenty dollar stories I will have a problem. How feasible is it to publish ten one hundred dollar stories in a month? I wish I had the answer, but I suppose that is the nature of freelance work. I suppose that is the nature of breaking into any field. You must start at the bottom to get to the top. But in order to make it happen, you must take that chance, make the leap.

So what is my take-away from today? I now see the clear possibility. I see that with enough hard work, discipline, and determination, making a living as a travel writer can be attainable.

Dreaming of a feature in National Geographic, or a coveted job with a leading travel guide? Work your way to top by submitting to the following publications. If you are fledgling travel writer and are looking for a home for your best pieces, here are ten publications that you should consider.

1.       TravMonkey is an online forum for world travelers. The articles on this site feature top ten lists and tips to make your next adventure one to remember. The site is designed for travelers who want to be in the know. Send queries to Editor Paul Dow at editor@TravMonkey.com and check out the website at www.travmonkey.com.  Approx $20 per article.

2.       Pilot Guides Online publishes travel narratives pertaining to a specific activity or region. The site is inspiring and provides readers with a personal story to go along with a specific country, town, or landmark. The Pilot Guides Online site belongs to the same company that publishes the paperback travel guides as well as the television show Globe Trekker. To submit, send your article (300-600 words), complete with pictures to editor@pilotguides.com. Enter “travel story” in the subject field. You can check out the website at www.pilotguides.com (click community). There is no payment.

3.       AFAR Magazine publishes articles relating to culture, eco-travel and off the beaten path travel itineraries. The publication is new and targets travelers who prefer to travel off of the main roads for the purpose of experiencing another culture as opposed to those interested in resort stays. There are several departments to submit articles to. It is best to read the magazine and get a sense of each section. The editors accept queries only and can be reached at features@afar.com. The website can be found at www.afar.com. Payment is arranged when the query is accepted. 

4.       Earthwalkers Magazine is a youthful, hip magazine with the aim of getting people out into the world to travel. Articles cover food, tips and advice and festivals. To write for the magazine you must become a member. Once you join the community, you have the option of requesting the writing assignment mailing list to be sent to you. Assignments are paid. Articles on average are direct and to the point, under 700 words. Take a look at the website www.earthwalkersmag.com. You can expect to make between $10-$150 per article.

5.       Transitions Abroad is a magazine that focuses on cultural exchange through working and volunteering abroad and language study. Articles are designed for people in the process of transitioning to life abroad. The editors are in search of inspiring, detailed and practical information. Submissions can be emailed to webeditorial@transitionsabroad.com and you can look at the site at www.transitionsabroad.com.  Payment ranges from $50-$150.

6.       In The Know Traveler is an online site dedicated to cultural exchange. The editors are interested in travel photography, pieces relating to international music and unique adventures. A story can be sent to the editor Devin Gelaudet at devin@intheknowtraveler.com.com and should be between 450 and 600 words. The pay is ten dollars a story. See www.intheknowtraveler.com for details. Approx. $10 for a story and $3 for a blogpost.

7.       Verge Magazine is an online publication dedicated to promoting information about international volunteerism and work/study travel. Contact contributing@vergemagazine.ca to submit a query if you have an article idea. The site can be found at www.vergemagazine.com. Payment negotiated after query.

8.       Go Nomad is a site packed with information to help travelers plan for trips. Articles focus on topics such as creative lodging and restaurant picks by region, to tour information and itinerary planning. The articles are narratives and destination pieces and range from 800-2,000 words. Query the editorial staff at editorial@gonomad.com. You can review the site at www.gonomad.com.  The running rate for features is $25.

9.       Get Lost is an Australian magazine that highlights extraordinary travel destinations. The magazine seeks to inspire and present obscure locations and viable travel options. Luke Wright is the editor and Kelley Irving is the assistant editor.  Write to submissions@getlostmag.com and include a brief biography, a brief outline of you proposed article, a sample paragraph, and photography samples. You can look at the site at www.getlostmag.com. Payment negotiated after query.

10.   Perceptive Traveler is a well established travel site in search of excellent writing. In order to be considered for publication, you have to have a published article already elsewhere. Query the editor at editor@perceptivetravel.com and look at the site at www.perceptivetravel.com. Approx. $100 per story.

I am used to surprises when I travel. Sometimes they are for the better others for the worse, but the very possibility of a surprise is a big thrill.

I didn’t purchase a travel book for Barbados because it was just meant to be a quick ten-day vacation. As a swift alternative, I conducted a few Internet searches where I learned of the beautiful beaches, sugar cane plantations, award winning restaurants and rum factories that would await me. I was not prepared for Harrison’s Cave.

St. Thomas parish was not what I expected out of Barbados. It was a surprise. One of those moments where you realize your already great vacation is about to get even better.

It was our third day in Barbados and instead of heading out to the beach for a morning dip in the Caribbean Sea as had become our pattern, we hopped into a taxi and set off an hour inland. We were driven up winding dirt roads and over small mountain chains covered in sugar cane fields. We drove through dense forests, upwards steadily, until we reached our destination, a large brown wooden sign that read Harrison’s Cave. We were let out at the sign and told to walk about five minutes until we hit the visitor center.

At first look I didn’t see how this would manifest. What cave? Here we were, at the entrance of what appeared to be a national park, a high altitude, tropical national park. From our vantage point, we had a clear view of our side of the island, of the coast, it was panoramic and inspiring. Waves crashed beneath the crystal blue horizon. Boats sailed over the undulating water. I didn’t understand where the cave part would fit.

Entering the visitor center, we were greeted by guides and a long line to purchase tickets for our tour. I looked at the pictures on the wall, they were of birds and butterflies, monkeys and iguanas from the forest. Where was this cave? Weren’t caves supposed to be dry rocky and underground? Weren’t caves in barren places devoid of flora and vegetation? I took a deep breath, and chalked my confusion up to my ignorance, I’m a New Yorker, what do I know about caves? I would just have to wait and see.

Tickets in hand, we were told we had an hour wait. Since tours were arranged in groups of 16 at a time, we had to wait for our number to be called. We were directed towards a courtyard where there was a café and a series of local artisan shops. We were told we could shop, grab a bite to eat or explore the surrounding forest. We jumped on the forest option.

The forest tour was self-guided. We followed wandering moss covered paths stopping to read the signs. Giant slugs- check, we spotted them, various species of butterflies and lizards- check. The Green Monkeys we didn’t see, we heard them, but despite our best efforts were not able to make a sighting.

Harrison’s Cave, it turns out lay beneath the tropical forest canopy. The entire forest and cave were a part of a local eco-tourism initiative to help support the local community of St. Thomas parish. Local artisans had shops where they sold clay products, medicines and herbs gathered from the forests and artwork.

I was so caught up in the canopy tour and learning about indigenous healing traditions that I almost lost sight of the fact that I was waiting for a tour. I was almost disappointed when our group was called. I was purely and pleasantly distracted by the beauty and new information around me.

Our tour began in an amphitheatre where we were presented with a twenty-minute video about the caves and their formation. Barbados, an island of coral was the result of volcanic eruptions and the cave was unique in that it lay in the mountains, elevated yet beneath a tropical forest canopy. So hidden was the cave, that it wasn’t until the 1970s that it was explored and opened as an eco-tourism site by a Danish scientist.

To tour the cave, we boarded a tram for a roller coaster ride of wonder and awe. The cave was obviously pitch black, but various areas were backlit with a soft amber glow to reveal beautiful stalactites and stalagmites, mini-waterfalls and ponds. I wasn’t anticipating such a moving, aesthetically pleasing, downright artistic experience.
The tour was so dark and cool and quiet, it felt at times like I was floating weightless in a black hole.

The tram stopped twice so that we could get off and explore or take pictures. We were allowed to wander and look, but we had to promise not to touch anything as the oil from our hands would destroy the balance of the rock. When the tour was over, we were dropped outside into the unforgiving afternoon sun. Perhaps there should have been a gradual re-adjustment period.

Disoriented and blinking to adjust my vision, I noticed I still held a smile on my face. I had just witnessed one of the most beautiful and peaceful experiences of my life. Barbados had surprised me, had offered me an experience more intimate than I had imagined.