WHAT UP
EVERYONE!
So this week we got to interview Seattle based travel photographer Emily Thomas. She's the kind of person you see on Instagram and Twitter and wish you were in her pictures adventuring with her.
She seems to always find some rad travel spots to capture the adventure. We love following her travel journeys via social media and we hope this featured interview keeps your creative flame burning all week.
Enjoy!
Everyone meet Emily!
Follow her on Instagram HERE
Check her Twitter out HERE
1. How long have you been a travel photographer?
I have been a travel photographer for about a year now. I started shooting on my iPhone and purchased my first DSLR back in September. I still have so much to learn, and places to see ! Excited to see where 2016 brings me.
2. What's your go to camera and lens?
I have two go-to camera bodies which include a Nikon D750 and a Canon 5D Markiii. My favorite lens is probably the 24-70 f 2.8, but lately I have been loving the 70-200 f 2.8. That lens is amazing ! Provides such good scale.
3. What do you think about social media and being a creative?
Is it a tool all creatives should use? How has it helped you along your journey?
I think social media is an amazing tool for any creative to not only share their work, but to get inspired. So many of my adventures wouldn't be possible without social media, it has forever changed my life. It has allowed me to meet new people and explore places I never imagined. I obviously am a big advocate for social media and think it's an amazing tool for creatives, but I think it depends on the person. Everyone has different goals with what they want to achieve with their work, and for some maybe reaching a huge audience isn't one of them. I think it's important to remember that while social media is important, it isn't everything. Face to face interactions will always be essential to forming meaningful relationships. That being said, though, for me all of my travels wouldn't has been as easily accessible without it.
4. What are the challenges with being a travel photographer?
Work/life balance. It's hard because a lot of people think I travel full time, but I don't. I just sacrifice a lot of sleep to make both things possible (work and travel). It's good to always be on the lookout for new horizons, but don't forget to live life and actually enjoy it too.
5. What advice do you have for the creative young bucks out there that want to make their creative passion their job?
I say if you have found something you love and don't mind trading hours of your life to do it, pursue it. We only live life once, and it's too short to not do the things you want to do or that make you happy. I also want to say that it's going to be hard work, and it will take a lot of sacrificing. Don't be afraid to take another job that isn't your dream in order to make your dream a reality. Creative passions take a long time to pursue and develop, but the bills we pay and other life struggles won't stop coming. Just because you have a job now that you don't necessarily love, don't let it discourage you. Work hard, but don't settle. Have a goal in mind and take the necessary steps every day to keep moving forward.
6. What's been your favorite adventure photog trip?
I would have to say my cross country road trip (San Francisco to New York City) because I was able to see so many parts of my own country I never knew existed. So many great things exist in your own backyard and you don't even realize it. I did also enjoy my trip to Jasper and Banff in Alberta, Canada. The Canadian Rockies are absolutely unreal, and the people are pretty amazing too.
7. Who is someone you look up to?
In life ? My parents. They have worked so hard to get to where they are and have made so many of my dreams possible. I wouldn't be doing half the things I'm doing now without their love and support.
All of them are amazing creatives, but also incredible people. They all work really hard, but don't let their success go to their head. Something I admire about them the most.
8. Do you work with brands? If so what brands and what would be the best advice for someone wanting to work with brands?
I do work with brands, right now I am currently working with Nikon and a few others. I think organization is key to working with the brands you want. Create good content & never stop working hard, the opportunities will come.
9. What's a day in the life of you look like?
Lots of exercising and computer time. Haha, I probably spend more time doing emails then actually traveling, but it's where all the opportunities come from!
10. Would you rather get have free tacos for the rest of your life or actually find the end of a rainbow?
I've found the end of a rainbow and sadly didn't find any gold. Maybe I found the wrong rainbow, but if I was promised free tacos for the rest of my life, that sounds like an amazing offer to me. :). Tacos are life.
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