Beginnings...

So exciting! I've decided its time that I have a place to catalogue all of my photos and update friends on new things I'm doing! I'll be posting pictures of all kinds, but it might take me a while to get this all figured out. Working on getting the professional look to come through. Anyways, I am fascinated and captivated by this beautiful world and all of God's magnificent creations. I see Him shining through the people and places around me, and I can't get enough! If you are ever looking for someone to take pictures of you, no matter the occasion, please don't hesitate to ask! I am still experimenting and discovering who I am in this area, but am always willing and ready for new adventures! Also, since I am seeking opportunities to practice all of the time, if you'd like an opportunity for some free senior pictures, group shots with friends, or just some cool portraits, contact me!
My email is jenna.koopmann@yahoo.com

Hopefully I'll get this up and running and full of pictures in the next week or so!

Travels

So, if you don't know me, traveling is perhaps my favorite thing in the world.

My dream job: writing columns and taking photos for the National Geographic Traveler magazine. Even thinking of it gets me excited!

There are so many amazing things to see in this world that I want to witness and experience as many of them as possible while I'm here! Perhaps my wanderlust was enhanced by being born and raised in the wonderful country of Switzerland. Talk about absolutely gorgeous. If you've never been... you have to make it happen. Trust me, it's so worth it! Not including my journeys to Switzerland now that I'm based in Austin, I've been to Italy, Chile, Nicaragua, Canada, Mexico, and this coming summer I get the amazing opportunity to go to England, France, and Spain!

I've met so many unique and special people while traveling that I will cherish forever. The weirdest part of traveling is just letting go of your "norms" and being okay with being the outsider. Once you stop trying so hard to not look like a tourist, and just go with the flow, people will open up to you so quickly!
Italian people are, without a doubt, the most incredible people I've ever met! They never stop talking, and are so passionate about what they love. It's really inspiring. Plus, they won't let you get away with butchering a single word in Italian, which means automatic, free lessons all day long! I hope to return some day soon...
As for Nicaragua... quite a different place from Italy! But so, so special and dear to my heart. I traveled to Managua for a mission trip and worked with so many beautiful souls at the House of Hope, an organization and safe house dedicated to saving women and children from the massive human trafficking industry in Nicaragua. Such an incredible experience, especially because I got to hear first-hand the stories and testimonies of women at House of Hope.
So what's the best part of traveling? In case you haven't figured that out yet, the relationships you make! Different cultures and backgrounds are so fascinating, I couldn't ever get tired of learning about other people and ways of life!
Another nugget: I'm thinking about deferring for a year from the college I decide to attend, and take next year to travel and serve with Mercy Ships. It's this awesome program that takes old cruiseliners and refurbishes them into floating hospitals, which they take to places like Sierra Leone in order to treat locals. It would be so rewarding, and I feel like taking a year off before I go into college will really help me understand myself better, including what I really want to do with the rest of my life. I'll be praying about this a lot... I need God to lead me into this if I go, not myself. 
Here's some pictures (since that's what this blog is all about) of past travels. Enjoy!