Meet Feuza Reis | Travel Writer & Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Feuza Reis and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Feuza, have you ever found yourself in a spot where you had to decide whether to give up or keep going? How did you make the choice?
At 45, reflecting on my entrepreneurial journey that began at 29 and has included two significant career pivots, I’ve come to realize the importance of regularly checking in with myself and asking some key questions:

Does the work I do now bring me joy?
Are there signs pointing me in a different direction that I’m ignoring?
Am I truly happy?
Is this work contributing to my anxiety?
I reached a point where the anxiety from my work became overwhelming. I would book a new client, and instead of feeling fulfilled, I would feel stressed—this was a big sign for me.

Another important lesson I’ve learned is not to worry about what others might think if you decide to change directions. Changing course isn’t about giving up; it’s about rerouting your path, and you can do this as many times as needed. Life is too short not to follow your gut.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Art meets marketing. I became a professional photographer 16 years ago, eventually transitioning into wedding photography. At first, I was thrilled to have a creative outlet that allowed me to make my own schedule, especially with two small children. However, I quickly realized that success required mastering the business side of photography—understanding that the art itself was only about 20% of the job. Along the way, I discovered a passion for the marketing aspect of the photography business, particularly SEO.

I spent 10 years teaching SEO online, helping over 1,500 businesses get found online. Now, as a travel writer and photographer, I’m able to apply all of that marketing expertise to promote destinations effectively. I can confidently say that I am a Marketing Photographer.

This confidence, however, doesn’t come without its challenges. I still experience self-doubt, particularly in my travel writing, as English isn’t my first language—I’m originally from Brazil. Another hurdle in my new career was overcoming the fear of pivoting, as I worried it might be seen as a failure. But I’ve learned that it’s not about failure; it’s about gathering lessons and specializations along the way, all of which bring you to where you are now.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
To explore Miami, I say the Bayside is a must, and then stop by the Brazilian restaurant Sagrada Cafe. I also love exploring and shopping in the Brickell area. Check out the design district for fantastic photos and get some delicious healthy bites at Pura Vida. Of course spend a day at the beach for that Floridian sun. For a day trip escape, I recommend Islamorada, stopping by the shop Islamorada for great souvenirs, unique olive oils and balsamic vinegar tasting.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I had wanted to start a travel blog six years ago, but I believed the market was too competitive. Fast forward to 2022, and everything finally came together—I launched my blog. One key person who played a pivotal role in this journey is Tash Haynes (@itstashhaynes on Instagram). Tash knew how much I loved TikTok, especially after I had a bit of viral success, and she introduced me to the world of travel conferences.

During one of these conferences, TBEX, Tash attended a TikTok class led by the fabulous award-winning travel writer, Jen Ruiz. Curious to learn more, I searched for Jen’s next speaking engagement. While I found one conference in the US, I was drawn to TBEX, which was being held in Spain. I decided to make the investment and attend—and that decision changed my life.

At TBEX Spain, I was introduced to a whole new world of travel content creation, and the possibilities made my eyes sparkle with excitement. It was also where I met the people from the current company I am working for right now. I am a Business Developer Manager for a Travel Tech company and so I am fully immersed in the travel industry. Since then, I’ve attended six of these conferences and am incredibly grateful for the community I’ve found. I’m especially thankful for Tomiko Harvey, one of the TBEX directors and a 50+ luxury content creator, who has been an invaluable mentor on this journey.

Website: https://fusetravels.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fusetravels/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/feuzareis/

Twitter: https://x.com/feuza

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@fusetravels

Image Credits
Headshot photo of me with laptop – Bianca Valentim
Drone Photo – Max Tomaz my partner and husband.