OUR STORY
WE CHOSE A DIFFERENT WAY TO LIVE
We're Jess & Julian — a US/UK couple who found each other in an unexpected way. Building a life together hasn't always been straightforward. Distance, immigration and the practical realities of two countries have brought their own challenges. But after finding each other, one thing became clear: neither of us wanted a life where we had to be apart.
We didn't have every step figured out. What we did have was a baseline plan for security, and a growing certainty that life was too short to keep watching everyone else's adventures. We wanted to experience more of the world, live more simply and make our own choices about what came next.
So we hit the road together. We've explored more than 30 countries, sometimes staying for months rather than days. We travel by plane, train, bus, ferry, boat — and whatever else gets us there. We immerse ourselves in local life, follow the unexpected, eat very well, get outside, meet people and make connections along the way.
This is our story — how we found each other, changed direction and are building a life that works for us.
JESS — THE INTENTIONAL NOMAD
Jess is a U.S.-born explorer who has called 11 states home, from coast to coast. After years of leading teams, managing projects and building businesses, she decided in 2022 that it was time to write a different kind of life.
Now she travels slowly and intentionally, staying long enough to get beneath the surface of a place. Food is a particular passion — local food and wine tours, cooking classes, markets and long meals with new friends are some of her favourite ways to connect with a culture.
With more than a decade behind the lens capturing travel, aerial, nature, landscape and street photography, Jess sees the details that make a place memorable. For her, the best stories are always about people, connection and the experiences you can't plan for. That passion for storytelling, innate curiosity and eye for detail now shape everything she captures and shares.
JULIAN — THE INTENTIONAL NOMAD
Julian's roots are in the UK, but she's always felt at home wherever curiosity takes her — from teaching in a Ghanaian community to crossing Indian rice fields on a 'scootie'. Her career has taken some unexpected turns, spanning civil engineering, HR, personal development, expedition leadership, outdoor pursuits and education, eventually leading to four years as an Assistant Headteacher.
In 2025, Julian decided it was time to shift gear. She left strategic management behind and embraced the slowmad journey — travelling differently, staying longer, and making space for experiences and connections rather than rushing on to the next destination.
For Julian, home is less about an address and more about the people, conversations and experiences that make a place feel alive. She's equally happy abseiling, exploring a new landscape or sitting in a local bar catching up with friends. Give her a new country, a camera and an open itinerary, and she'll be looking for the next adventure.