Dushanbe, Tajikistan

One of the countries my husband travels to for work is Tajikistan. We were lucky enough to be able to tag along on a 2 week business trip. The colorful culture, friendly people and easy transportation was what drew me in. My kids have become very friendly with the staff at the Hyatt Dushanbe and the supermarket around the corner!

Lighthouses

I've always had an admiration for lighthouses. Not sure why, perhaps it's because growing up in Florida we visited countless lighthouses on the coasts that I found them each so unique and impressive. My fascination with them went so far as making sure each year I'd have a calendar dedicated to lighthouses. Being back in Florida for vacation sparked a renewed interest in them and I plan to continue a new tradition of photographing lighthouses I come across along our travels.

Tybee Island Light Station & Museum, Georgia

St. Augustine Lighthouse & Museum, Florida

Sullivan's Island Lighthouse, South Carolina

Flock of Seagulls

Literally.

Home of the Baseball Hall of Fame

Back in 2007, my boyfriend (now husband), Jeremy, took me to Cooperstown to meet the family a few months after we started dating over the Christmas holidays. I'd never visited such a small town before and being that it was winter everything was covered in snow. It looked like something out of a picture book. Many of the barns and buildings in the area are older and have so much personality to them.

I knew that if one day we would marry this is where it would take place. And sure enough it was! I'm still working on some photos from the area so for now here is a sneak peak.

Frankfurt, Germany

I wasn't expecting much on our one night layover in Frankfurt, Germany. I was told there wasn't much to see and do. I, on the other hand, really enjoyed it. For a large city, I found the area around our hotel to be quaint and walkable with lovely squares where the kids could run around and play. I look forward to stopping by again!

Cairo, Egypt

Seems like a lot longer than 1 year since we left Cairo. I had a love/hate relationship with our home of 2 years. History and culture was all around, smothering almost. You never forgot you were in a foreign land, surrounded by a culture so completely different than what we were accustomed to. I loved it. That is after all why this lifestyle suits us. Certainly, the smog, pollution, constant honking, lack of road signs/traffic rules got to me after a while, but other things such as the call to prayer, helicopters flying over head, the man on the donkey and rickshaw passing by our window every afternoon saying something unintelligible to me, became a welcome part of my everyday. Though it was a roller-coaster 2 years that included an evacuation following the overthrow of President Mohammed Morsi, and an extended leave for the birth of Cora, it was an unforgettable experience. We met amazing people, had the privilege to visit ancient ruins that were surreal in person, and explored the numerous back alleys and streets where daily life in the overcrowded city unfolded.

Chon Kamin National Park, Kyrgyzstan

It was our first road trip out of Kazakhstan. As Almaty disappeared behind us, a countryside consisting of snow capped mountains in the distance, rolling hills and fields of poppies. Even the kids seemed to take in the welcome change in scenery as they sad quietly in their car seats looking out the windows.

Washington School of Photography

In 2011 I attended the Washington School of Photography in Bethesda, Maryland. It was inspiring and educational. I had the pleasure of meeting other local aspiring photographers, learning side by side with them. By the end of my studies, I had a plethora of photos to include in my portfolio.

Thanks for following my blog and photography career. Please visit my website, www.nataliewilliammee.com to see my portfolio.