My name is Laura Johnston. But, you can call me “Hey Girl,” a trail name given to me by fellow hikers on the Appalachian Trail (AT) because of my friendly way of saying “hi” to fellow women I met on trail. That’s also how I decided to call my photo greeting card business Hey Girl Hikes. I am an east coast native from Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C. I’ve been lucky to also live in Germany, Kenya, Switzerland and Peru and have worked around the world. I’m a conservation, outdoor and creative professional; a people person & outdoor enthusiast. I am a writer, a podcaster and also a nature photographer who makes photo greeting cards with my original photos of the Appalachian Trail (AT) and Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). In 2016 I thru-hiked the AT from Georgia to Maine (2,189.1 miles) and in 2017 I thru-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) from Mexico to Canada (2,650 miles). After my thru-hikes, I decided the images I was lucky to see on my hikes were so stunning that I wanted to share them with others by making handmade greeting cards with my original photos of the Appalachian Trail (AT) and Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). All of the images and their majestic landscapes can only be reached on foot. I decided to make these cards because I have always loved the timeless art of letter writing. Very early on, my mom taught me the value of sending a note to say, “thanks,” “hi,” or “how are you?” There’s still something special about writing and receiving a hand written note, especially when the image on the front inspires something in you.
What's your typical day?
10 minutes of quiet meditation when the sun comes into my window; coffee and am exercise outside; working in the middle of the day; home cooked and healthy lunch; midday walk, hike or run to vitamin D and time in nature; a little more work; connecting with friends and family; cooking dinner at home; winding down with a good book, a cup of tea or maybe even a quick check outside at the stars.
What is the most gratifying part of making your work?
I love using the images of the Appalachian Trail (AT) and Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) which I was lucky enough to hike end-to-end to share with other people in the form of greeting cards that they can enjoy and so can the person they send them to or frame them for. The AT and PCT are America’s two oldest and most iconic long distance hiking trails and America’s first two national scenic trails. Getting to share some of their awe inspiring images, while also giving back some of the proceeds to the trail organizations that maintain them is also important to me. If I can inspire someone to step outside, get fresh air, start hiking or even just feeling calm and inspired with one of these cards and my original photos, I feel good.
Where do you find inspiration?
Outdoors!
Where is your studio/work space?
Outside on the Appalachian Trail (AT) and Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) where I hiked to take all of these photos, and my house in northern Virginia where I put the cards together by hand.
What's your typical studio playlist?
James Taylor, Mandolin Orange, Fleetwood Mac, Herbie Hancock, Stevie Wonder
How do you get yourself out of a creative rut?
I love to move my body — go for a hike, do yoga, go swimming, get fresh air!
Favorite blog/movie/tv show/book that never fails to inspire or just clears the mind:
The Hidden Life of Trees & A River Runs Through It
Share your process - bonus points if there's a story behind it:
In 2016 I thru-hiked the AT from Georgia to Maine (2,189.1 miles) and in 2017 I thru-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) from Mexico to Canada (2,650 miles). After my thru-hikes, I decided the images I was lucky to see on my hikes were so stunning that I wanted to share them with others by making handmade greeting cards with my original photos of the Appalachian Trail (AT) and Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). All of the images and their majestic landscapes can only be reached on foot. I decided to make these cards because I have always loved the timeless art of letter writing. Very early on, my mom taught me the value of sending a note to say, “thanks,” “hi,” or “how are you?”
What's your dream project - if you had all the time and materials in the world?
I would hike so many more long distance trails in the US and take endless photos and continue to document them and their beauty but also the incredible experiences they provide for people. Any day on trail is a great day! And the feeling and the memory of the trail lasts long after the hike.
Describe yourself in 5 words:
Outdoorsy, kind, curious, optimistic, reflective
Describe your work in 5 words:
outdoor, tactile, self taught, fun
Tell us something funny or exciting that has happened in regards to your artwork/craft:
I started making my photo greeting cards as a small project for fun and to write and send notes to my own friends. Then someone (my mom) encouraged me to share them with a larger audience. I showed her some of them and she said, “These are absolutely beautiful. And you know I’m picky.” Thanks mom!
How do you find balance?
Get outside and move my body everyday; hike often; write and meditate even just a little bit everyday; surround myself with positive people; try to get 8 hours of sleep every night; avoid comparison — it is the thief of happiness; and seek out laughter.
Is there a story behind your business name?
My name is Laura Johnston. But, you can call me “Hey Girl,” a trail name given to me by fellow hikers on the Appalachian Trail (AT) because of my friendly way of saying “hi” to fellow women I met on trail. That’s also how I decided to call my photo greeting card business Hey Girl Hikes.
Is there anything you'd like the public to know about your work upon purchasing it?
A portion of the proceeds of my sales supports the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) and the Pacific Crest Trail Association (PCTA), the two nonprofits that largely manage the operations and maintenance of the AT and PCT. As a former thru-hiker who was able to thru-hike the AT end-to-end in 2016 and to thru-hike the PCT end-to-end in 2017, it is very important to me to give back to these trails.
10 minutes of quiet meditation when the sun comes into my window; coffee and am exercise outside; working in the middle of the day; home cooked and healthy lunch; midday walk, hike or run to vitamin D and time in nature; a little more work; connecting with friends and family; cooking dinner at home; winding down with a good book, a cup of tea or maybe even a quick check outside at the stars.
What is the most gratifying part of making your work?
I love using the images of the Appalachian Trail (AT) and Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) which I was lucky enough to hike end-to-end to share with other people in the form of greeting cards that they can enjoy and so can the person they send them to or frame them for. The AT and PCT are America’s two oldest and most iconic long distance hiking trails and America’s first two national scenic trails. Getting to share some of their awe inspiring images, while also giving back some of the proceeds to the trail organizations that maintain them is also important to me. If I can inspire someone to step outside, get fresh air, start hiking or even just feeling calm and inspired with one of these cards and my original photos, I feel good.
Where do you find inspiration?
Outdoors!
Where is your studio/work space?
Outside on the Appalachian Trail (AT) and Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) where I hiked to take all of these photos, and my house in northern Virginia where I put the cards together by hand.
What's your typical studio playlist?
James Taylor, Mandolin Orange, Fleetwood Mac, Herbie Hancock, Stevie Wonder
How do you get yourself out of a creative rut?
I love to move my body — go for a hike, do yoga, go swimming, get fresh air!
Favorite blog/movie/tv show/book that never fails to inspire or just clears the mind:
The Hidden Life of Trees & A River Runs Through It
Share your process - bonus points if there's a story behind it:
In 2016 I thru-hiked the AT from Georgia to Maine (2,189.1 miles) and in 2017 I thru-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) from Mexico to Canada (2,650 miles). After my thru-hikes, I decided the images I was lucky to see on my hikes were so stunning that I wanted to share them with others by making handmade greeting cards with my original photos of the Appalachian Trail (AT) and Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). All of the images and their majestic landscapes can only be reached on foot. I decided to make these cards because I have always loved the timeless art of letter writing. Very early on, my mom taught me the value of sending a note to say, “thanks,” “hi,” or “how are you?”
What's your dream project - if you had all the time and materials in the world?
I would hike so many more long distance trails in the US and take endless photos and continue to document them and their beauty but also the incredible experiences they provide for people. Any day on trail is a great day! And the feeling and the memory of the trail lasts long after the hike.
Describe yourself in 5 words:
Outdoorsy, kind, curious, optimistic, reflective
Describe your work in 5 words:
outdoor, tactile, self taught, fun
Tell us something funny or exciting that has happened in regards to your artwork/craft:
I started making my photo greeting cards as a small project for fun and to write and send notes to my own friends. Then someone (my mom) encouraged me to share them with a larger audience. I showed her some of them and she said, “These are absolutely beautiful. And you know I’m picky.” Thanks mom!
How do you find balance?
Get outside and move my body everyday; hike often; write and meditate even just a little bit everyday; surround myself with positive people; try to get 8 hours of sleep every night; avoid comparison — it is the thief of happiness; and seek out laughter.
Is there a story behind your business name?
My name is Laura Johnston. But, you can call me “Hey Girl,” a trail name given to me by fellow hikers on the Appalachian Trail (AT) because of my friendly way of saying “hi” to fellow women I met on trail. That’s also how I decided to call my photo greeting card business Hey Girl Hikes.
Is there anything you'd like the public to know about your work upon purchasing it?
A portion of the proceeds of my sales supports the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) and the Pacific Crest Trail Association (PCTA), the two nonprofits that largely manage the operations and maintenance of the AT and PCT. As a former thru-hiker who was able to thru-hike the AT end-to-end in 2016 and to thru-hike the PCT end-to-end in 2017, it is very important to me to give back to these trails.
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