About
Frequent photographer, aspiring writer, and sporadic traveler. Stories from the backyard to the other side of the world.
Hi, I'm Lauren
Welcome to OnBlueUnderCanvas — my corner of the web for sharing stories, photos, and the occasional misadventure. I'm a photographer, an aspiring writer, and someone who has never quite shaken the urge to see what's around the next bend.
This blog started as a way to document the big leaps: quitting jobs to live in Australia for five months in 2010, moving from Michigan to California, and chasing stories across the United States, Mexico, Costa Rica, and New Zealand. But it's also about the smaller moments — a half marathon decided on a Thursday and run on a Saturday, a kayaking trip through Black Canyon, or a quiet afternoon with a camera in the backyard.
My husband Kirk is my favorite travel partner and co-conspirator. Together we've sailed in Cancun, explored Isla Mujeres, worked on a movie set, and built a life that keeps us curious.
I've written for the Hobie blog, completed travel-writing coursework through MatadorU, and photographed real estate along the California coast. This space holds all of it — the polished and the rough drafts alike.
What You'll Find Here
This blog spans travel stories, photography, and personal milestones — all organized by category and date in the Archives. A few recurring themes:
- Travel: Australia, Mexico, Costa Rica, New Zealand, and road trips across the United States.
- Photography: Real estate shoots, travel galleries, and everyday frames from California to Wisconsin.
- Writing: Essays, travel-writing exercises, and the occasional story written for other publications.
- Personal milestones: Our wedding, a spontaneous half marathon, and the year we quit our jobs to see what would happen.
Browse the Photos page for a visual tour, or jump into the latest posts on the homepage.