Meet Shaunna C. | digital nomad

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

Hi shaunna, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I chose an artistic and creative career because it was something that made me feel most of me. I really enjoy creating whether it is, video making, photo taking, modeling for photos and or literal arts and crafts, like painting, clay, etc.. I always knew that I was not going to fit into the “normal lifestyle“ that we are expected to live. Although no lifestyle should be considered “normal“ I think all forms of creative freedom are special and unique in their own ways and I just knew that I wasn’t supposed to reform to a normal 9-to-5 position. creating content, especially with the opportunity to live in a school bus and capture the world is something that means so much to me. Creating is an outlet for me as well as instant gratification. I feel very pleased with myself when I finish something and my brain is always working, so all in all I chose this path because it was something that works for me. It makes me feel the best.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My journey into being a creative really started back in 2012, when I was making music videos on YouTube with my friends. We all shared a channel, and honestly, it was just about having fun and being silly but that’s where I really felt the spark. I’ve always loved being creative, especially online. After graduating high school in 2014, I fell in love with posting on Instagram and Twitter it was like my own little art gallery of self-expression. But back then, I was told by my partner at the time that I’d never go anywhere if I ‘kept taking photos of myself.’ So I kind of shrunk back. I still posted here and there, but I stopped showing up as fully as I wanted to. I was such a secret tumblr user though.

Fast forward to 2019 I started getting DMs from small businesses and local photographers asking to collaborate, and it reignited something in me. I started modeling again, doing shoots with clothing brands and creatives in my area. Then in early 2020, my partner and I started doing couples photos together and it really took off. We modeled everything from styled shoots to elopements in beautiful places. That experience helped me step into myself creatively in a way I hadn’t before.

It wasn’t until mid covid that things started really picking up online. I was posting constantly mostly about living on a school bus and talking about plant medicine. TikTok became the platform where my voice started to reach people. I gained a following for being real, relatable, and educational about marijuana and that opened the door to collaborations with brands, photographers, and other creatives. Eventually, we finished building our bus in 2023 and hit the road. Now, I share my travels, hikes, cannabis education, and the fun, messy, real parts of life that come with it.

What I’ve learned through all of this is that I’d choose living a full life over chasing money any day. There’s so much beauty out there if you just go if you just say yes. Saying yes has brought me to places I never imagined I’ve walked runways, worked with incredible people, and created a life that feels good to me. I always say: I don’t know exactly what my brand is, but I know it’s rooted in the idea that you should live the life you deserve, without limiting yourself. My “brand” is about freedom, self-expression, connection, and showing people that it’s okay to be all the things soft, bold, messy, funny, grounded, growing. If that’s all I ever represent, I’m proud of that

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Honestly, since I’m still fairly new to the area, if my best friend came to visit, we’d be doing the most. First stop would probably be a little dispensary tour .. I’d want to show them all the cool local spots and explore what the area has to offer in terms of cannabis. That’s just a given. Then we’d probably grab tacos and drinks at Zia Taqueria… they’ve got a really fun cantina vibe, and it’s super easy and accessible if we’re bouncing around town.

After that, I’d definitely force one of my friends to hike Ice Lake or something similar, because I’m obsessed with hiking and the scenery around here is just unreal. The mountains out here still blow my mind. And since I’m still discovering new places myself, I’d want to take them on the Silverton train or some other kind of scenic adventure maybe even drive out to Telluride or Denver just to keep things spontaneous and full of views.

That’s a big part of who I am I love to explore but also love doing nothing . I love being outside, moving, seeing beautiful places, and sharing those moments with people I care about. Anyone who’s friends with me knows that I’m happiest when I’m on a trail, breathing mountain air, and eating snacks with a view. We’d probably use TikTok to find the best local eats or quick bites so we could grab food and go sit-downs are nice, but there’s just so much to see, so I’d rather picnic somewhere epic.

And of course being a cannabis creator and activist you already know there would be a joint (or three) involved at some point. That’s just part of how I relax and connect with the moment. My perfect week with a friend would be full of nature, good food, great views, and lots of laughter. I want them to feel what I feel when I’m out here: free, present, and completely alive

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to give a little credit to my partner axel. As cliché as it sounds, I would not be here without his love support and friendship, most of all…He really told me that this lifestyle was something we could accomplish together and has always been a fan of my creative freedom and pushed me to blossom. he’s been a fan from the beginning. and my sister, thank you so much for always believing in me and letting me live my best life.

Instagram: https://Instagram.com/shaunna.jpg

Youtube: https://youtube.com/shaunnamarijuana

Other: https://tiktok.com/nomadicrollmodel

Image Credits
The professional photo of me, looking at him and smiling, and you can only see my face in Moab desert is Nickel Photography. instagram is: @nicklephotographync website: nicklephotography.com