By 28 years old, Jamie Beck opened her own commercial photography studio in Lower Manhattan where she worked with a multitude of commercial clients from fashion brands like Chanel and Oscar de la Renta to tech companies like Google and Microsoft, and even major magazines such as Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar. (Yes, she was killing it.) Somewhere along the way, though, she decided her true dream was quite different: Beck wanted to live in the South of France. Over six years after Jamie initially left for what was to be a one-year sabbatical, she still lives in Provence with an entirely new photography career creating and selling her own body of work. Most recently, she’s compiled her work into a book titled An American in Provence, which includes not only her photographs but also poignant personal essays, photography and posing tips, and even French recipes. To hear how Jamie took a massive leap of faith on her own happiness—and to lust over her new home—hit the link up top.