My home town of Ibajay, Philippines, featuring my grandmother’s tricycle and my cousins.
My newly-graduated sister admiring the iconic columns of the University of Missouri, my alma mater where I graduated Magna Cum Laude with degrees in International Business, Management, and Spanish.
The Salar de Uyuni of Bolivia. One of the most magnificent places I’ve ever seen and one of the highlights of my first solo backpacking trip to South America.
About Me
I am, above everything else, an adventurer with a passion for life at every level. From the massive expeditions to the cozy evenings spent with my dogs, I try to enjoy every facet of life.
I had always been interested in photography, but had only been limited to a single photography class in high school before I began college and pushed photography to the side for what I perceived to be more stable careers. After graduating from university without a job offer, I took off to see the world with nothing to hold me back. A few weeks turned into a few months, and a few months evolved into three years and counting. I told my stories to anyone who would listen. I started a blog, recounted my tall travel tales on Instagram, and in the fall of 2018, finally picked up a DSLR after putting it off for entirely too long.
Nothing has ever felt more natural in my hands than a camera. Despite having a successful Instagram page where I somehow managed to trick everyone into thinking I was anything more than a hobbyist, I had a lot to learn. And with every click of the shutter, I learned.
So far, I have snapped hundreds of thousands of pictures across 44 U.S. states, 47 countries, and 5 continents. I have shared many of those stories and experiences under the persona of The Partying Traveler, a popular travel blog and Instagram page looking to capture the wonders of travel from a social standpoint. At the age of 24, I am only getting started.
Aside from photography and traveling, my passions lie in environmental concerns, especially ocean conservation and climate change awareness. At the age of 21, I founded CoraLife, an apparel and accessory company that donated its proceeds towards ocean conservancy.
For a list of projects, clients, and collaborations, refer to my press page or my media kit.
Taking in the view from the top of South Africa’s Table Mountain. Photo taken by Melanie Van Zyl.
Uluwatu Temple overlooking the vast ocean from the cliffs of Bali. Like many digital nomads and freelance workers, Bali becomes a second home thanks to its modern infrastructure, cheap cost of living, and paradise setting.