Lauren Breedlove Lauren Breedlove considers herself real, raw, and pithy. As a freelance travel writer and photographer, Lauren’s reported for print and digital publications like Travel + Leisure, Thrillist, Afar, Matador Network, Roadtrippers Magazine, Popsugar, Time magazine, and TravelPulse. Her photography has been featured in various gallery shows and magazines, and she won an editor's award in National Geographic's Travel Photographer of the Year contest for her photo of Lady Havana. Lauren graduated from St. Michael’s College with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and then worked as a school teacher in New York City before following her dream of becoming a travel writer and photographer. She’s explored more than 40 countries, embarked on countless outdoor adventures, and won’t pass up a food truck or dive bar. Ever.• 8+ years of experience as a travel writer and photographer• Won an editor's award in National Geographic’s Travel Photographer of the Year contest• Traveled to 40 countries About Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure, a Dotdash Meredith Brand, is a top travel media brand with a mission to inform and inspire passionate travelers. Our expert team includes a network of hundreds of writers and photographers across the globe, all providing a local eye on the best places to stay, eat, and explore. We reach an audience that takes 76 million round trips annually, offering valuable travel tips, ideas and inspiration, and products you need to get you to your destination — whether it’s a small town or big city, beach or lake, national park or theme park, road trip, cruise, or long-haul flight, and everything in between. Learn more about us and our editorial process