Trained as a news journalist, I spent a decade as a daily newspaper journalist, earning a Pulitzer Prize as part of a news team. Today, I combine prize-winning journalist's research, writing and photography with my passion for meaningful travel, discovering the unexpected, and inspiring others to take their own journey of wonder, in their backyard or across the globe.

I create immersive, award-winning stories and photos as co-founder, editor, and photographer for HITravelTales.com. I love to tell personal stories about the people in a place to show the depth and attraction of a destination and accompany them by insightful photos. In 2024, I was named Photographer of the Year by the North American Travel Journalists Association.

My awards include photos accepted to several juried competitions and exhibits and numerous medals from various associations, including the Best in Show/Gold and a Silver in the inaugural International Food Wine Travel Writers Association’s photo contest, and a third in the 2020 Washington Post Travel photo contest. A selection of my photos are at ThereseIknoian.com

Set me loose in a destination and I'll make friends, create compelling photos, and find stories that most will miss.
• Born, raised, and based in California
• Secondary base in Berlin, Germany
• German and French speaker
• Author of two “For Dummies” books
• Little known: I have run a 100-mile trail race, work as a translator, and have a master's degree in kinesiology.