JOHN RUVIN FOCAL POINTS PROJECT

"Late last year, we packed up all of our belongings and relocated from Texas to Madison, WI.  Nothing can quite describe the experience of moving to a new city, it’s as exciting as it is intimidating to suddenly throw yourself into this new environment.  Slowly you begin to feel comfortable navigating your way around town without relying on your phone's GPS to guide you.  It’s been 8 months since our move and during this time we’ve had the opportunity to explore and take advantage of what the city has to offer.  There’s no denying that there’s something incredibly special about Madison, from the local food and shops to the beautiful natural scenery that surrounds the city the possibilities are endless." - Cristina Martinez and Thomas McClutchy

“In November of 2014 I headed to New Zealand to spend some time with my friend Bethany, who moved there in February. We spent three weeks traveling around the islands, living out of our trusty van (whom we affectionately named Alfred). We hiked along the coast at Cathedral Cove, soaked in hot springs in Taupo, got snowed on at the Tongariro Crossing. We laid in the sun in Nelson, hiked on the Abel Tasman trail, and took the ferry through Milford Sound. I loved seeing all the sights, but more than anything, I love the transformation that began within me at the time. The transformation to see myself differently, to take more risks in my life, and to stop being so led by my fears. That's one of the  most beautiful things to me about travel- it allows us to step outside of the routine so that we can reexamine ourselves and our lives. So that we can open our minds to really see what is around us, the lessons the universe has to teach us. I am grateful to have experienced New Zealand if only for a few weeks, and to have had my best gal next to me for it.”

-Mae Stier

All photos by me (maestier.com // instagram.com/maestier//)

Photos of my gal Bethany (instagram.com/bethanyrabbitt)

"Earlier this year I had the opportunity to travel to Guatemala to second shoot a wedding alongside a good friend. The wedding, of course, was completely breathtaking, and I loved our time in Antigua exploring old Spanish ruins, sipping coffee that was grown only miles away, and strolling through bright, colorful street markets. From Antigua we traveled to Lago de Atitlán, a lake in the highlands surrounded by volcanoes and quaint little towns. We made our way to San Pedro (by boat) and spent our days basking in the perfectly consistent 77 degree weather, kayaking on the lake, exploring little lake towns, and eating tacos and guacamole for almost every meal (aka living the dream). We met women that were part of a weaving collective, visited a coffee farm and collected beautiful handmade souvenirs to take home, which now serve as daily reminders of how much I miss the Guatemalan culture and the peaceful, welcoming people. I'd jump at the chance to visit again, there is so much left to explore, and so many more tacos to eat."

-Jillian Bowes

"Nothing rivals the first few months of being in a new city. Every outing becomes an adventure; turning unexpected corners on walks in neighborhoods ripe with new possibilities and driving down unexplored highways with no particular end point in mind. Sometimes, the most exciting and frightening thing a person in a new place can do is shut off the GPS and let the greeting of new smells, unfamiliar faces, and unexpected views guide the way to a new favorite cafe, food truck, gallery, donut shop, beach dive bar, or scenic overlook… the combinations are endless and the destinations are never the same. To experience everything there is to offer, getting lost is invaluable.

My roomate, Kayley, and I moved to Los Angeles three months ago and have not been met with a day of boredom since we’ve gotten here. From the grand overlooks of the city at both Griffith Observatory and Elysian Park, to our eclectic and colorful home base in Lincoln Heights, dull moments are rare and bad days are always reversible. With views of a mountain sunset, a lengua taco at our neighborhood taco stand, or a bit of Jameson Cookie Dough ice cream from the dessert masters at Ramekin, our eyes are always open to the beauty surrounding us; our stomach full. LA is a place like no other; a new home with something new to always offer."

-Fairfax Banks

"There are few routes I'm more familiar with than the trek from Grand Rapids to Detroit. As a kid, I was there almost every weekend visiting family. A true child of Detroit, my dad got a job working for General Motors when he was pretty young, and that later carried our family to Grand Rapids, where we all still live. I don't get to make the trip as much as we used to, but there's something so nostalgic about that drive, and all the towns you pass along the way. But enough about the drive.

My girlfriend Tieka and I traveled to southeast Michigan again last weekend. While there, we explored downtown a bit, ate at a delicious diner, and visited some parts of the city's history that've largely been forgotten. From an old, decaying movie theatre turned concert venue, to an even older (but in seemingly good shape) lighthouse depot that used to house most of the equipment needed to maintain the lighthouses of the Great Lakes. Such as the Windmill Point Lighthouse that we travelled to afterward. I know when you think of Detroit, your brain probably doesn't go right to lighthouses, but just like most other cities along the Great Lakes, they have several around that were once a big part of all the industries down there. We can't wait to make another trip back and explore more of the great history embedded in Detroit."

-Eric Ellis

Eric's photography website | www.ericmjellis.com

"Iceland Is a place of mystery, beauty, earth, and sky. The energy can be felt in the spray from waterfalls, rejuvenating hotsprings and windswept fields. Everywhere you look features a landscape of immensity… and horses. I traveled to Iceland with my friend and colleague, Maria Sykes, for the art and design conference DesignMarch and made sure to plan time to explore the island. Iceland really is a magical place. You are infused with a sense of respect for what might be inhabiting the rocks around you. We began our adventure in Reykjavik for the conference. The city was alive, celebrating art, design and life. Reykjavik and south Iceland has so much to offer, but I was really excited to head East and get outside. We rented a Škoda Yeti 4x4 and drove east to explore the glaciers, volcanoes, hot springs, and many waterfalls that make up the island. We travelled in and out of fjords and seaside towns and meeting amazing people along the way. The weather held up and the roads were clear. The further we got from Reykjavik the more magic we found. Each region had a different feel. South Iceland with huge sweeping landscapes, East Iceland hugged by coastal fog and mountain passes, North Iceland blanketed in snow and West Iceland with crusty lava fields. Even though we experienced so much, it felt like we only scratched the surface. I would return in a heartbeat to see it all again."

"Sometimes - even though you're 25 and you all have full time jobs you need a good old fashioned high school spring break. Both Kristen and Julie are teachers so when they were off of school we hopped on an airplane as fast as we could only to head to the place where all other children of the world go to - Orlando! Seeking sun and relaxation we plopped ourselves on our pool chairs, covered ourselves in sunscreen and jumped headfirst into our  books for the majority of the trip. On the one day that we did leave the resort - we headed to the place where most young adults go (right?!) The Wizarding World of Harry Potter! We drank butter beer, we screamed on rides and we were in bed at a reasonable hour because our feet hurt. I am so incredibly thankful to have been friends with these two since middle school - and that we are all weird and quirky enough to want to spend our spring break in the center of the tourist universe."

-Abbey Moore

You can reach Abbey & view more of her images here:

website: www.abbeymoore.net

facebook: www.facebook.com/abbeymoorephotography

"Our trip began with one way tickets to Iceland where we stayed for three months and finished a feature length documentary. From there we began slow-traveling in Europe: Denmark, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, Bulgaria, Turkey. Our travel style is laid back, we rarely plan ahead, we just go where a cheap route and the next volunteer opportunity take us. We have felt stranded, uncomfortable, inspired, excited, stressed, and at peace. We've met many travelers, ex-pats and locals, all on their own journeys. All these random experiences fill our minds with ideas which infuse into our art. In several countries we have shot short films which will be released as Philip has time to edit them. Loralee also makes paintings, conceptual and/or observational. We are still traveling, currently in Israel. Stay tuned for part two of the nomadic adventure ;)"

http://www.stonekeyfilms.com/

Philip's Instagram - http://instagram.com/sirkingston Stonekeyfilms on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/stonekeyfilms

  http://www.loraleegrace.com/

"As a midwestern girl one of my favorite things about California is the fact that on any given day you can go on an adventure and stumble across something completely breathtaking. It was a Tuesday afternoon and a couple of friends and I, iced coffees in hand, drove up the pacific coastal highway to Malibu where we found the most amazing little beach. It's so wild that you can hop off the highway to a view like this, rocky terrain, caves shooting up out of the shoreline, water as far as the eye can see and a golden sunset. To me, that's the best part of travel; opening up your day and embracing loose itineraries in order to find the little gems you wouldn't know to look for. And of course, It's always a plus to have such attractive adventure buddies." -Jillian Bowes

"We spent a week floating through Labyrinth Canyon on the Green River, watching the full moon fade and singing to the canyon walls. Life slows down on the river. Great Blue Herons watch you float by and if you listen long enough you will hear the splash of the endangered Humpback Chub along the sandbars. My river trip began and ended in the town of Green River, a place where land meets sky through buttes and the Book Cliffs. I came home with dust on my feet and red rocks in my eyes. This is the place."

Ryann currently works for Epicenter, a design studio instigating positive change through community-based projects and programs in the rural town of Green River, UT. To see more, visit: Web: www.ruralandproud.org FB: www.facebook.com/greenriverepicenter

Chicago is one of my favorite cities to visit, but the heart of it lies in its many neighborhoods. The communities are remarkably distinctive and offer so much to those who venture away from the downtown, especially when it comes to Chicago food culture. For this little weekend trip, we tried many acclaimed restaurants in various corners of the city; sipping craft beer and trying adventurous cocktails, reveling in foie gras hot dogs, sharing an unhurried and intimate dinner with Chicagoan friends, and delighting in multicolored macaroons. 

  Contact Info:

website: www.aliciamagnusonphoto.com

facebook: www.facebook.com/aliciamagnusonphotography

Abbey Moore - "There is something about the mountains that can make a person feel so incredibly small but also so powerful. Whenever I am in Colorado I feel this rush of life and energy. Everyone out there is enjoying life to the fullest. They are outside all of the time and are constantly finding ways to enjoy the natural landscape that is spread out before them. Jake and I had no plans this trip. We had a rental car and that was it. We slept in friend's guest rooms and random rental cottages. We drove through Rocky Mountain National Park and visited Denver, Estse Park, Winter Park, Fraser and Boulder. One of the friend's who lent us a room is Ali. She's a Boulder resident who dreams of being a cowgirl and has one of the most energizing spirits. We played around in the mountains on the brink of a huge snow storm and snapped some photos before everything was blanketed in white."

You can reach Abbey & view more of her images here:

website: www.abbeymoore.net

facebook: www.facebook.com/abbeymoorephotography

Kylie Turley is a Photographer, filmmaker, happy camper from Los Angeles. 

"We hopped in my Subaru and drove a path engrained in our memories to our special place we like to keep a hidden gem. The snow was fresh and we sipped hot cocoa from a thermas, letting the sun soak its rays on our backs. Winter is so quiet - so still - you could only hear the crunch of snow beneath our boots."

Find Kylie

Blog: http://www.spencerandkylie.blogspot.com

Site: http://kylieturley.com

Instagram: http://instagram.com/kylieturley

Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/turleyproductions

"My friend Rachel and I took a mini day trip to Santa Cruz. After a lovely brunch at Café Gratitude, we wandered around the sunny, laid-back beach town. Our afternoon was spent riding old wooden roller coasters and carnival rides at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk."

Ashley Rodseth is a Graphic Designer/Photographer based in Northern California and Designs for Fern Design Studio in Moss Landing.

Abbey Moore- This last minute trip to Lee Vining, CA was to take a breather from every day life and take a moment to slow down. I was visiting my friend Katie - a gal who has lived in more cities and places than I have ever dreamed. Her and her boyfriend Lundy were living in the tiny town of Lee Vining with their three dogs, Reggie, Hatchi and Cash. Add another dog (Ella) and a cat (Huckleberry) to the mix and you've got a clear picture of my roommates. Lee Vining is a tiny town outside of Yosemite that is home to the saltwater Mono Lake. Their tourist season is in the summer, so the whole town was pretty desolate except for the lovely locals who call it home. No matter where we went it felt like we were the only ones there. We were out in the mountains by the time the sun was up and returned after the moon had risen. We made homemade meals, we drank whiskey and I was reminded about how the simple times of our lives - the ones without all the clutter and noise - are almost always the most memorable. This quote also stuck with me the entire trip:

“What you have to decide … is how you want your life to be. If your forever was ending tomorrow would this be how you’d would want to have spent it? Listen, the truth is nothing is guaranteed. You know that more than anybody. So don’t be afraid. Be alive.” -Sarah Dessen

You can reach Abbey & view more of her images here:

website: www.abbeymoore.net

facebook: www.facebook.com/abbeymoorephotography

Mae Stier is an explorer, blogger & photographer.  Her travel companion is Gracie Fenech, a letterpress printer, her company is called Freshly Squeezed. 

"This trip didn't involve much planning. It was one of those ideas that got thrown out over coffee and somehow we just decided to go with it rather than shut it down. Coffee mugs in hand on a Thursday morning, we searched the internet for campgrounds that were open year round in Vermont and Maine, and by Monday at 4am, we were on the road. Gracie and I have been good friends for almost four years, but hadn't had a ton of time to connect over the past few months, so this trip was a much needed excuse to do so. It started with an eight hour drive from Grand Rapids, where we live, to a small campground in Vermont where we set up our tents in the dark. The next day we hiked, then wound through small towns in Vermont, New Hampshire, and into Maine. We spent our time over the next few days hiking, driving, wandering through seaside towns, chasing down lighthouses. We spent a morning in Portland, ME, eating french pastries and falling in love with well-curated shops downtown. All of it was quick, left us exhausted and breathless and when we lay in our tent in the woods each night, we slept that good kind of sleep that you only get when your entire body and mind is worn out from adventure."

Fairfax Banks is a Graphic Designer & Photographer located in the Midwest.

“It’s funny how certain cities get under your skin. I’ve been around, but there’s something captivating about Nashville, Tennessee – a ‘crazy town’, as locals call it, bursting with culture, history and Southern charm, the kind of charm that prompts locals – easily the friendliest people I’ve ever encountered.”

If ever a quote came close to encapsilating the vibe of Nashville, this would be one of the closest a person could find. Lively and bustling, the city is a valve constantly pumping creative energy; be it musically, sartorially, culinary, or visually-speaking. The people are passionate, warm, and colorful. And those traits extend throughout the city itself; from its coffee shops to craftsman clothing stores set up in old service stations. 

Web: http://pizzamerica.co/