Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Parker.
Hi Lisa, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My love for photography started long before I ever thought about becoming a content creator. Believe it or not, when I was younger, I actually wanted to be a meteorologist! I was fascinated by the weather and even dreamed of chasing storms. I absolutely loved taking pictures of the sun, clouds, and stars. That is, until I experienced being in an actual tornado, and let’s just say my career aspirations quickly changed! LOL. I still loved capturing the beauty of nature, but I realized I was much more comfortable admiring the weather from a safe distance. Eventually, I discovered I could capture just about anything with a camera, and from that point on, there was no stopping me.
I remember walking around with my Polaroid camera (definitely aging myself here!) taking pictures of everything from food to everyday activities. My family would always ask, “Why are you taking pictures of that?” And my answer was simple: because I enjoyed looking at it! I’ve always loved documenting moments, big or small, and being able to look back and relive those memories.
Food has also always been a love language for me. I see it as art on a plate, with every dish telling its own story. No matter what language we speak or where we come from, food has a way of bringing people together without anyone having to say a word. Combining my love for food and photography just came naturally.
For years, I kept thousands of photos and videos in my camera roll until those dreaded “storage full” notifications started appearing. So, I began sharing my experiences on social media, mostly through my stories. Before I knew it, people were messaging me asking, “Where is that?” “What did you order?” and “Would you recommend it?” That’s when I started realizing people might actually be interested in what I had to share!
I eventually started creating videos for fun, never expecting them to gain the attention they did. As my content began reaching more people, local businesses started reaching out to tell me that my videos had brought them new customers or even helped them sell out of certain items. Those messages changed my perspective. What started as a personal photo diary had become an opportunity to make an impact beyond myself by helping local businesses receive the recognition and support they deserve.
But LPinthecity has always been about more than food.
Growing up, I played volleyball, basketball, and ran track. I’ve always enjoyed being active, exploring, and finding something fun to do. That part of me never went away. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve become even more passionate about encouraging people to step away from their screens, get out of the house, and experience life.
I hear people say all the time that there’s nothing to do in Virginia, and I love proving them wrong! Hampton Roads has seven cities filled with hidden gems, local businesses, unique experiences, and opportunities to create memories. Sometimes you just need someone to show you where to look.
That’s what inspired my series, “Life’s Too Short for Boring Weekends,” where I encourage people to get outside, try something new, and discover experiences they may not have known existed right in their own backyard.
Looking back, it’s amazing to see how something as simple as taking pictures of things I loved turned into a platform that connects people, supports businesses, and inspires others to explore. I’m still growing, learning, and figuring things out along the way, but one thing hasn’t changed: I genuinely love sharing experiences and helping people create memories of their own.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Smooth road? Oh, absolutely not! But I don’t think anything worth pursuing comes without a few bumps along the way.
One of my biggest challenges has been finding balance. What many people don’t realize is that I have a full-time career outside of LPinthecity, and my workdays don’t always fit neatly into the traditional 9-to-5 schedule. Some days start earlier or end later than others, so finding the time and energy to pursue my creative passions can definitely be a challenge. When I’m not focused on my professional responsibilities, I’m usually out exploring, filming, editing, researching new places, responding to messages, or planning my next adventure. And somewhere in between all of that, I’m supposed to eat, sleep, and have a personal life!
And when I say I wear many hats, I mean MANY hats! I’m the content creator, photographer, videographer, editor, social media manager, researcher, marketing department, administrative assistant, and sometimes my own personal cheerleader! Thankfully, I’m not without support. My boyfriend, Deon (@DPerfectPic), is a talented photographer and the creative eye behind all the drone footage you see in my content. He’s been an incredible source of support, and we’ve even started exploring more creative opportunities together, which has been exciting! My family has also been there to join me on adventures, offer encouragement, and lend a helping hand whenever needed.
But even with an amazing support system, there’s still a lot that goes into managing LPinthecity behind the scenes. From planning content and coordinating opportunities to making creative and business decisions, many of those responsibilities ultimately fall on me. And let me tell you, some days I feel like I need to clone myself just to get everything done! It’s a constant learning experience trying to balance all those moving pieces, but I’m incredibly grateful to have people in my corner who believe in what I’m building.
I think one of the biggest misconceptions about content creation is that we just show up somewhere, take a few pictures or videos, post them, and call it a day. If only it were that simple! There’s so much happening behind the scenes that people never see. Sometimes hours of filming and editing turn into a 30-second video. And sometimes that same video you spent hours creating doesn’t perform nearly as well as you hoped.
That brings me to another challenge: learning not to measure my worth or success by numbers on a screen. Social media can be unpredictable, and it’s easy to fall into the trap of comparing your journey to someone else’s. There have definitely been moments when I’ve questioned myself, wondered if I was doing enough, or felt discouraged when something I worked hard on didn’t get the attention I thought it deserved.
I’ve also had to learn that I can’t do everything, be everywhere, or say yes to every opportunity. As someone who genuinely loves exploring and supporting others, that’s been a tough lesson. There are so many amazing businesses, events, and experiences I want to share, but there are only so many hours in a day. I’m still learning how to set boundaries, prioritize my time, and remind myself that it’s okay to slow down.
Another learning curve has been navigating the business side of content creation. What started as something I did purely for fun has grown into something that requires a completely different set of skills. From understanding contracts and negotiating partnerships to managing deadlines and recognizing the value of my work, there’s been a lot to learn along the way. Nobody hands you an instruction manual for turning your passion into a business! It’s been a process of learning through experience, asking questions, making adjustments, and becoming more confident in myself.
But through all of those challenges, I’ve learned a lot about patience, consistency, and giving myself grace. I’ve had to remind myself why I started in the first place. It wasn’t for likes, followers, or recognition. It was because I genuinely enjoyed capturing moments and sharing experiences with others.
And honestly, some of the most rewarding moments have nothing to do with social media numbers. It’s hearing from someone who visited a place because of my recommendation, a family who discovered something new to do together, or a small business owner who gained new customers after I shared their story. Those moments remind me that the impact of what I’m doing goes far beyond what any algorithm can measure.
So no, the road hasn’t always been smooth, and I’m still figuring things out as I go. But I’m learning to appreciate the journey, celebrate the small wins, and remember that progress doesn’t always have to happen at full speed. Sometimes you just have to enjoy the ride, bumps and all!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
If we’re not eating, we’re finding something fun to do! That’s pretty much the motto behind LPinthecity!
I’m a Hampton Roads-based food, lifestyle, travel, and experience content creator who loves discovering new places, trying new things, and sharing those experiences with others. My content focuses on everything from local restaurants and hidden gems to family-friendly activities, unique experiences, weekend adventures, and travel. Whether it’s a new restaurant opening, an activity you’ve never heard of, or a place you’ve driven past a hundred times without realizing what was inside, I love being the person who helps you discover it!
While food will always have a special place in my heart (because let’s be real, I’m probably thinking about my next meal right now! LOL), I never wanted LPinthecity to be limited to just restaurants. There is so much more to explore, especially here in Hampton Roads. We have seven cities, each with its own personality, businesses, attractions, and experiences just waiting to be discovered. My goal is to encourage people to step outside their usual routines and experience more of what’s around them.
One of the things I really enjoy is finding experiences that people of different ages and interests can enjoy. Whether you’re planning a family outing, looking for a date night idea, spending time with friends, or simply taking yourself on a solo adventure, I want my content to give you ideas and inspire you to actually get out and do something.
That’s also what inspired my series, “Life’s Too Short for Boring Weekends.” I wanted to show people that you don’t always need an expensive vacation or a plane ticket to create great memories. Sometimes an unforgettable experience is waiting right in your own backyard!
Another part of my work that’s especially important to me is supporting local businesses. I love discovering the stories behind the places I visit and introducing people to businesses they may not have known existed. There’s something incredibly rewarding about seeing a small business receive more attention, customers, or community support simply because someone shared their experience.
But supporting my community goes beyond restaurants, attractions, and local businesses. I’ve also been making a conscious effort to become more involved with shelters, food banks, and organizations that are working toward meaningful causes throughout Hampton Roads. I believe that if I have a platform that can encourage someone to try a new restaurant or visit a new attraction, why not use that same platform to encourage people to volunteer, donate, or support a cause that could make a difference in someone’s life? There are so many organizations doing incredible work behind the scenes, and I want to help bring more awareness to them. Giving back and connecting people with opportunities to help others is something I hope to continue growing as part of LPinthecity.
I also believe in being genuine about what I share. Many of the places I feature are experiences I’ve chosen to explore and pay for myself because I was genuinely curious about them. I’m not interested in telling people something is amazing just because it’s popular or because someone wants me to say it. I want people to know that when they come to my page, they’re getting my real experience and perspective.
As far as what sets me apart, I think it’s my curiosity and willingness to try just about anything at least once! LOL. I don’t want to put myself in a box or limit my content to one type of experience. One weekend I might be kayaking, the next I’m trying a new cuisine, attending a community event, or discovering an activity I didn’t even know existed. I love the variety because that’s genuinely how I enjoy living my life.
But if you ask me what I’m most proud of, it’s the community I’ve built along the way. I call them my City Crew, and I’m incredibly grateful for their continued support. They’re always sharing recommendations, introducing me to new places, and showing love to local businesses. Nothing makes me happier than hearing someone tried something new or made memories with their loved ones because of something I shared. Those moments mean more to me than any number on a screen.
I’m also proud that something I started simply because I loved taking pictures and documenting my experiences has grown into a platform that can positively impact others. I never imagined that sharing something I enjoyed could help businesses grow, connect people with their communities, or encourage someone to step outside their comfort zone.
At the end of the day, I don’t just want people to watch my adventures. I want them to go create their own! Life is happening every single day, and I hope LPinthecity continues to remind people that there’s so much out there to experience if we’re willing to get out and explore.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
Honestly, what matters most to me is time, family, genuine connections, and making the most out of the life we’re given.
I’ve lost quite a few loved ones over the years, and those experiences have really changed the way I look at life. Losing people you love has a way of reminding you just how precious time really is. Tomorrow isn’t promised to any of us, and that’s something I don’t take lightly. It’s one of the reasons I’m so passionate about creating memories and experiencing as much of life as I can.
When I say “Life’s Too Short for Boring Weekends,” it’s more than just a catchy name for a series. There’s a personal meaning behind it. I’ve learned that we can spend so much time caught up in our everyday routines, responsibilities, and waiting for the “right time” to do things that we forget to actually enjoy the life happening right in front of us. And trust me, I’m guilty of that too!
I don’t want to look back wishing I had spent more time with the people I love, taken that trip, tried something new, or simply enjoyed the little moments more. Some of my favorite memories aren’t even the big adventures. They’re the random conversations, the uncontrollable laughter, the family gatherings, and those moments you wish you could experience just one more time.
I also believe that while we’re here, we should try to leave a positive impact on others. Whether that’s showing kindness, helping someone in need, supporting a local business, or simply being there for someone, I believe the smallest gestures can mean more than we realize.
I’m still learning how to slow down, be present, and find that balance myself. Life gets busy, and it’s easy to lose sight of what really matters. But if losing loved ones has taught me anything, it’s that time is something we can never get back.
At the end of the day, I don’t need every moment to be extraordinary. I just want to know that I made the most of the time I had, loved the people around me, and hopefully made a positive difference along the way. Because years from now, it’s not the things we owned or the numbers on a screen that will matter most. It’s the memories we made and the people we shared them with.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: LPinthecity
- Facebook: LPinthecity
- Youtube: LPinthecity
