Information
Debbie Stock
Hi! I'm Debbie Stock, publisher of SeeCalifornia.com. If a story on the website does not have a by-line on it, I most likely wrote it. How did I get here, landing in California and becoming publisher of SeeCalifornia? Read on below at "BIO "...
US TRAVEL
Cleveland, Ohio Reasons to See It
Arkansas: Fayetteville & Butterfield
US AMUSEMENT PARKS & THEME PARKS
If you're in the mood for thrill rides, water slides, aquariums and all things entertainment, head over to attractions pages to buy your tickets for fun in the sun in Minnesota, Maryland, Washington, D.C., Florida and more!
INTERNATIONAL STORIES
Capilano Suspension Bridge in Vancouver, B.C.
China: I sat on these photos and didn't see them till COVID19 shut down travel and I had a little time on my hands. I continue to pick out pictures that catch my attention, then post them along with facts and information.
BIO
I was born & raised in the Midwest, went to college there, and began a budding career as a photojournalist in Chicago. I think it's a great place to come from, but never considered it paradise. Surviving the record-setting coldest winter in 100 years, I thawed my bones at my parents' home in Huntington Beach, Calif. where it was a balmy 76 degrees one Christmas holiday. I called my newspaper boss and said, "Roll the presses without me, I'm not coming back."
In California, I quickly discovered the market for freelance photo-communications was not only lucrative, but allowed me to pick and choose my assignments. (I dig sand at beaches and don't dig photo coverage of freeway crashes.)
Carving a path as a photojournalist for Fortune 500 firms, public utilities, magazines and many of the biggest non-profits has involved plenty of galas & parties but also getting down and dirty on oil rigs in the Pacific Ocean, climbing in manholes underground and spending my fair share of time in bucket lifts, helicopters and planes—whatever it takes to get the angle.
One of my favorite industries to work with is tourism where "on the road" assignments to California's theme parks, attractions and popular destinations (as well as destinations elsewhere,) introduce me to lots of smart marketing people such as Barry. The savvy salesman convinced me to place links for hotel reservations on my hobby website. It sounded like more work than fun, but I gave it a shot and my bookings skyrocketed!
Suddenly I was making a lot more money in web commissions than I earned on photo assignments (my day job,) but continued to do both. Gaining a reputation for my success, I've mentored fellow journalists who seek help transitioning in the digital age.
Sometimes you do what you love and get paid—my photography (and writing) career has been that way. Sometimes your passion is a hobby—building websites started out that way. I've built, monetized and sold websites purely for fun. SeeCalifornia.com is all about fun.
EDUCATION
Debbie Stock graduated with honors from the University of Kansas, William Allen White School of Journalism, holding a B.S. in Photojournalism and minor in Advertising. She began earning income as Advertising Photographer at the University's Daily Kansan newspaper and was paid for her course work photo-documenting a special program at the University.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Just weeks after arriving in Chicago Stock landed the job as Chief Photographer for a Sun newspaper. She covered breaking news, spot news, features, sports and events. She worked there several years.
Moving to the sunny beaches of Southern California, clients have included: Fortune 500 firms such as AT&T, Edison, Toyota, Chevron, and dozens more. Print publications & television: National Geographic, Good Morning America, Time, Motor Trend, Sunset, Los Angeles Times and many more.
In 1998 Stock founded and grew CaliforniaBeaches.com into the primary source for beach travel in California. She has created and launched websites for hotels, Realtors, mortgage brokers, restaurants, concessionaires and destinations. At Visit Huntington Beach (Huntington Beach Conference & Visitors Bureau) she helped launch SurfCityUSA.com brand.
Contact: PO BOX 947, Sunset Beach, CA 90742