Laurie Bartolo - Photographer

My name is Laurie and this is my photography blog. Here’s all you really need to know about me.

I love lifting weights.

I started weight training at 50 after a series of injuries sidelined my 35-year love affair with running. It was love at first lift for me and my life now revolves around weight training. While I started out with a trainer in a gym, the pandemic gym closures led to the set up of my home gym, where I’ve been happily lifting ever since.

I’m a photographer.

Photography is a passion, not my profession. I almost always have a camera on me and take photos every day. I’ll photograph anything that catches my eye, but I’ve got a thing for cute dogs and cool cars.

I’m a dog lover.

Dogs are a big part of my life and are frequently featured in my photography. My current pack includes Rocky and Ringo, a pair of photogenic and energetic pups who inspire me daily. You’ll regularly find photos of Rocky and Ringo here, along with many other dogs.

Classic Rock is my jam.

Everyone thinks the music they grew up with was the best music, and I’m no exception. I’m most enamored with the music from the ’70’s and ’80’s which is what I listened to as a kid. It takes me back to a more carefree time and, at least for a little while, I can forget about how fucked up the world is now. If I’m down, I’m always just one Van Halen song away from a complete attitude adjustment.

I’m as free as a bird.

I spent over twenty years in the corporate world before getting out in 2017. Fancy title. Great salary. Horrible job. I left at 48 years old and never looked back.

I’ve lived all over the United States (currently in Michigan).

I’m an Army Brat who continued a nomadic life as an adult. This means I’ve moved a lot in my lifetime, living in nine different states and traveling across country numerous times. I’ve lived in some beautiful places including Hawaii, Florida and New Mexico.

I’ve moved for fun, I’ve moved for work, and I’ve moved for love. My favorite place? New Mexico easily holds that spot at the top of the list and I see myself living in the American Southwest again one day.

I’m currently living in the Detroit area, which was expected to be a short stop on an open-ended journey, but thirteen years later, I’m still here. This is the longest I’ve lived anywhere!

I am patiently seeking sunshine.

I would love to live someplace sunny again as the sun affects my mood and energy level. It’s like I’m a battery and the sun is my charger. I see at least one more move in my future and year-round sunshine is at the top of my wish list. In the meantime, I’m working on patience for the journey, which is a constant theme in my life.