Hey, hey, heyyyyy! My name is Jessica (aka Wayfaring Wanderer) and I am a free-spirited photographer who loves working with couples, individuals, and families who are committed to travel, adventure, and laid-back lifestyles. I've lived in the Boone, NC area since 2005 and I'm known for capturing the spirit of the folks I photograph—the expressions, gestures, and details that are outward expressions of our innermost selves. While I'm primarily a wedding + elopement photographer, I also love working w/ individuals/couples/families that are traveling to the High Country area to getaway to the mountains. I absolutely love what I do and am so grateful to work with some of the most amazing people in one of the most beautiful places EVAR. Let’s go on an adventure!
February 12, 2016
My goal was simple. Read at least one page (front and back) every single day for 365 days. I didn’t want to put a goal any bigger than that out there because I thought I would fail. The last thing I wanted to do was end the year with yet another unread stack of books on my nightstand.
I’m not sure when reading started feeling like a chore, but I had trouble finishing books for a few years. That was until I made a new rule to read every day at the beginning of 2015. I didn’t set a goal larger than reading one page per day and I managed to finish 17 books last year. I’m pretty proud of that. Only one is not on this list of books I read but it includes the other 16 and a summary of each one based on my experience.
I decided to share this list because I get asked what I’m reading from time to time so I thought this might be helpful. Some books on this list I liked more than others. And I thought about giving them a rating, but I decided not to influence anyone’s decision one way or the other.
What type of books do you like to read? I’m always on the lookout for good non-fiction books myself. My Amazon wishlist is bursting at the seams with marketing, productivity, and self-development books. That’s pretty much all I read nowadays. I love learning new business strategies and gaining insights on how to live the life I envision.
Reading is so much more enjoyable for me now that I don’t worry about reading a certain number of books. Instead of thinking, “How many books should I read?” I wanted to focus on just reading no less than one page per day for the fun of it!
{ Heads up: This post does contain affiliate links. }
Making Ideas Happen
Scott Belsky
How many ideas do you have that are collecting dust in a notebook? Coming up with ideas is the easy part but executing is where the challenge lies. Those that take immediate action are much more likely to succeed and achieve their goals. “Making Ideas Happen” gives practical advice and teaches easy techniques like the Action Method. So you know exactly how to act on your ideas so you can create something from nothing!
Enchantment
Guy Kawasaki
The art of enchantment is not a skill that every marketer has. Kawasaki defines enchantment as the process of delighting people with a product, service, organization, or idea. The aftereffect of enchantment is voluntary and long-lasting support that is mutually beneficial. Guy shares the experience he gained from working with one of the biggest brands in the world, Apple. When you shift your thinking to enchant people instead of making money off of them the results are undeniable.
The E-Myth Revisited
Michael E. Gerber
Before this book, I didn’t understand the difference between working on my business and working in my business. When I started my entrepreneurial journey in 2010 I had no clue how to run a successful business. This book explains that just because you understand the technical aspects of what you do doesn’t mean that you’ll know how to run a business. In The E-Myth, Gerber shows you how to apply the method of franchising to any business. You’ll determine where the gaps lie so you can build the business of your dreams!
Phenomenal
Leigh Ann Henion
I enjoyed going on this fascinating journey with Leigh Ann. By the time I finished “Phenomenal” I had the most wicked case of wanderlust EVER! This thoughtful memoir reminded me to grasp my sense of wonder like my life depends on it. Because now I realize that it does.
Full disclosure: Leigh Ann is a personal “real life” friend of mine. She also lives up here in the Boone, NC mountains. Her zest for life is contagious and I was smitten by her adventurous stories long before this book came out.
The Law of Divine Compensation
Marianne Williamson
A quick but thought provoking read. I gleaned many gold nuggets from its pages. Inspirational, indeed! Williamson presents a deep understanding of “The Law of Divine Compensation.” And the book shares her vulnerable and valuable lessons within its pages.
Help, Thanks, Wow
Anne Lamott
This book focuses on three essential prayers. Even if you’re uncomfortable with addressing God, you can still pray. Use “the Universe” or anything else that resonates with you. What’s important is to take the time to ask for guidance when you need it. Invoke a “Help” prayer when necessary. Be aware and give “Thanks” when you’re experiencing the good and everything in between. There’s also “Wow” which is a prayer to express your joy no matter how big or small the moment might be. In “Help, Thanks, Wow,” Lamott shares the stories that inspired her prayers. She encourages us to make it a habit, too.
Creating Money
Roman and Packer
Divided into four sections, this book deals with certain aspects of money issues. Each chapter blends together to give the reader a practical guide for becoming “wealthy.” Roman and Packer do not preach but guide you through universal truths that impact your bank account. If you find yourself struggling with money the teachings in this “Creating Money” will give you a new perspective.
Better Than Before
Gretchen Rubin
As you might know, maintaining healthy habits isn’t always easy. But with “Better Than Before” it might be a lot more manageable once you know what your tendency is. In Gretchen’s book, she outlines four distinct groups that almost everyone falls into. Upholders, Questioners, Obligers, & Rebels. Where you fit into those categories depends on how you respond to expectations.
This was the most intriguing book I read all year. I’ve always found behavioral sciences fascinating! What I learned from this book was that if I want to change a habit that I need to understand what motivates me. Now that I know that I’m an “Obliger” this has influenced how I form new habits. It has also helped me discover that I’m married to a “Rebel” which has explained A LOT! 😉
The Big Leap
Hendricks
Transcending “Upper Limit” behavior is the key to breaking through barriers. In “The Big Leap,” Hendricks helps you pinpoint and navigate when you’re “upper limiting.” Once you recognize the problem and how to solve it you’ll break free from the resistance. This book taught me some enlightening lessons about my limiting beliefs.
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up
Marie Kondo
I didn’t follow every step to create a clutter-free home. However, I did find the approach to organizing to be pretty compelling. When most people think about decluttering their initial instinct would be to go room-by-room. Maybe buy some fancy storage containers to put things in their place as they go. But, according to Kondo, that method would be the wrong way to do so. She says that you start by discarding using category (clothes) and work your way through each one.
Another key to tidying is to not try and create change little-by-little. Marie believes decluttering should be a special event done all at once to have the most impact. Kondo says, “The space in which we live should be for the person we are becoming now, not for the person we were in the past.” With her method of choosing to keep only items that inspire joy, you’ll discover what’s important to you.
The Art of Possibility
Rosamund & Benjamin Zander
This book is helpful in getting you to think in a whole new way. You won’t get step-by-step instructions on how to change your life. But it gives you a framework for shifting the way you think which is a good place to start. The Zanders share stories that offer guidance on how to apply the principles they live by.
I Know How She Does It
Laura Vanderkamp
The path to success doesn’t look the same for every individual. “Having it all” means that you have to make a lot of sacrifices, right? Or does it? Vanderkamp collected hour-by-hour time logs from 1,001 days to compile the data in this book. Time tracking is something that I do, so it was interesting to see her research on how other working women are creating a work/life balance.
Reading this book definitely shifted my perception of how I choose to spend my time. While I still track what I do daily, it’s more important to see the week as a whole before I measure whether it’s balanced the way I want it to be. Simply put, it’s about making time for what matters. We all have the same 168 hours in a week!
Eat That Frog!
Brian Tracy
I have to admit, I thought this was super cheesy but it was a wealth of information. “Eat That Frog!” had so many juicy tidbits that I now use to get (more) things done. By showing you how to organize tasks and plan your day, you’ll be well on your way to accomplishing more in less time. At the end of each bite-sized chapter you have an exercise to complete. You can immediately incorporate these new ideas and insights into your every day.
Show Your Work
Austin Kleon
Something that I am guilty of is hoarding my work. I don’t always showcase the new wedding photos I’ve finished processing or the projects I’m working. Kloen helps you to understand that having good work isn’t enough to get noticed or find an audience. Self-promotion seems like a dirty word, but it doesn’t have to be! All you have to do is show your work.
The War of Art
Steven Pressfield
I realize after being an entrepreneur for the last 6 yrs that there are more internal challenges to overcome to achieve success than their are external. When you learn to combat the resistant you feel you’ll find the courage to take action. I love this paragraph, “Creative work is not a selfish act or a bid for attention on the part of the actor. It’s a gift to the world and every being in it. Don’t cheat us of your contribution. Give us what you’ve got.”
The Little Spark – 30 Ways to Ignite Your Creativity
Carrie Bloomston
While I didn’t manage to do every single “Spark” in this book. I did enjoy reading all the exercises, activities, and lessons that Carrie shared. Creativity has always been something that came easily—I’ve been a photographer since the age of 10—but every now and then I need a little boost to ignite the flame that isn’t burning as bright as it used to. Spark #20 “Creating a Mission Statement” was one of my favorite parts of the workbook. (Maybe I’ll share that in a future blog post!) The book also wins the award for the prettiest and most colorful book I read in 2015. HA!
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My name is Jessica and I’m a wedding, engagement and lifestyle photographer based in Boone, NC. I’m known for capturing the spirit of the folks I photograph–the expressions, gestures, and details that are outward expressions of our innermost selves. I love working with couples, individuals and families who are committed to travel, adventure, and laid-back lifestyles. If you think we might be kindreds, I invite you to connect with me!
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Thank you so much for taking the time to contact me. I'm truly grateful to do what I love and I appreciate your time and consideration in advance! My response time is 24-hours for all wedding, engagement, and family photography inquiries. I look forward to connecting with you soon! In the meantime, let's be friends on Instagram. I love sharing a behind-the-scenes look at life in Boone, NC as a wedding photographer!
call or text 828.773.8764 | email: wayfaringwanderer@gmail.com | get in touch
call or text 828.773.8764
email: wayfaringwanderer@gmail.com
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