About

About

Hi! I’m Caylena  [pronounced kAY-lEE-nuh].

I’m a well-rounded, thoughtful and empathetic person working in various digital media to capture and share stories/content that inspires a thoughtful pause, reflection and inspiration, peace or action.
 
Born and raised in the Hudson Valley of NY, I started dancing at age 3, taking photos around age 7, and learning French at age 12. My first international trip was technically to Canada in 9th or 10th grade, but the one that made all the difference was my first trip to Europe, around 11th grade. It changed everything, when I went on that whirlwind 12-day trip across Ireland, Wales, England and France – my first foreign love. After that, it was all over – I had to keep traveling!
 
In 2010, I graduated from Ithaca College, fluent in French and with dual Bachelor’s degrees in French and Photography, and a minor in journalism. At this time, I went abroad to France to teach English.
 
Now, 15+ years later, I’ve built successful freelance businesses, run 2 half-marathons, hiked 26 miles on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, raised money and volunteered internationally, visited almost 20 countries, living/staying in five for at least a month-years. Furthermore, I’m speaking fluent Spanish & French, beginning to express myself in Portuguese (Brazil, I’ve got my eye on you!), dancing Tap, Contemporary, Salsa and Bachata, and developing my memoir writing chops.
Caylena headshot on white

MY MISSION

I am on a mission to live a meaningful, creative, and authentic life, while helping others in the process. I aim to travel the world, form deep connections, create beautiful & important things, learn as much as I can, speak as many languages as possible, know cultures, places and people. I hope that by bringing together all my passions for: travel and adventure; dance, creativity and culture; entrepreneurship; language and communications; nature and hiking; food systems, cuisine and sustainability; yoga, exercise and health; and mental health and relationships, I can leave places and their humans better off, and help to inspire others to realize their own dreams. If I can do it, you can too – really! We are not victims of our circumstances and I really believe in the idea that a rising tide raises all ships – and that is my objective, to be part of the rising tide.

MY WORK

me at hoby

Professional Background

My professional work over the past 15+ years has been diverse – including:

  • editorial/journalism content (photo, writing, video),
  • teaching languages and photography,
  • doing marketing for non-profits, solopreneurs and small businesses,
  • business coaching,
  • graphic design (web, digital and print),
  • video production,
  • photography:
    • corporate event/wedding photography,
    • studio photography (portraits, headshots, dance),
    • tabletop photography (products, food and beverage),
  •  writing:
    • narrative and technical articles,
    • copywriting and
  •  retail sales.
my work at grit gallery

Personal Work

My personal creative work has run the gamut from nature and street photography, to travel, food, fashion and dance photography.

I’ve written personal blogs, covering a variety of topics, sharing what I’ve learned about life, travel and business over the years.

I started the Put a Fork In It podcast and have produced/published 45 episodes interviewing people in food, health, business and the arts.

My work has appeared both in publications and solo/group exhibitions. Prints and merchandise are available in my online shop.

Next Steps

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