Traveler Tuesday – Laurence of Finding the Universe

Laurence is a full-time professional travel photographer and blogger who has been traveling the world since 2009. You will usually find him behind a camera in a constant state of taking as many pictures of beautiful places as possible. He runs two travel blogs: the photography and adventure-focused Finding the Universe, and the couples travel-focused Independent Travel Cats with his wife Jessica. He’s also the author of the Superstar Blogging Online Photography Course, which will help you improve your photography, no matter your level or experience.

Let’s meet Laurence!

[1] When and how did you become a traveler?
To be honest, I can't remember a time when I wasn't a traveler! My parents instilled a love of travel in me from an early age (I was flying in the womb), and as a family, we took some wonderful trips around Europe and Africa. I was lucky enough to grow up in the Seychelles, which opened up a lot of travel possibilities as well. So, short answer, I've always been a traveler, and it's entirely thanks to my parents!

[2] What kind of traveler do you define yourself as?
I would say I'm a fairly slow adventure traveler. I love the outdoors and beautiful landscapes. I also love to discover new foods and cultures. To be honest, I'm pretty easy going, I just love new things and great views.

[3] What do you love most about traveling?
My true passion is travel photography, so what I love about traveling is that it takes me to stunning parts of the world that I can then take photos of! I also love that I get to travel full time with my wife Jessica, which means we get to spend a lot of quality time together.

[4] What do you dislike about traveling?
Planning – I'm definitely more of a “turn up and figure it out as I go” kind of person, but that doesn't always work out. Thankfully I married an expert planner, which has made life a lot easier.

[5] Why should people travel?
I think travel is the best way to find out that despite what we might read in the news, the majority of people around the world aren't really that different in terms of their values and desires as ourselves. Most people just want to live good lives, be healthy, and provide for their loved ones. Travel also provides perspective as to our general individual unimportance in the world. I think that's a good perspective to have.

[6] What famous person would you like to travel with?
Douglas Adams, author of my favourite novel, the Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy. He is unfortunately dead now, but if we could bring him back from the dead I think he'd make a fantastic travel companion.

[7] Travel essentials – 3 things you always travel with.
My camera – as a professional photographer I never leave home without it! I also always travel with a power strip so I can charge all my devices (nowhere ever has enough sockets!) and a multitool for the inevitable time I have to fix something.

[8] What's one location on your bucket list?
I want to travel to space. Failing that, Antarctica. It just looks like another world.

[9] Do you have a piece of advice for bloggers starting out?
Be passionate. You have to really truly want to do this. There's no point getting into a creative industry like blogging in order to get rich – there are myriad better ways to get paid that are likely a lot less work. Be prepared to be in it for the long haul, and only measure yourself against yourself. I have a lot more advice in my guide to becoming a travel blogger.

[11] What are three other blogs that inspire you?
I like Nomadic Matt and how he has built up a fantastic audience by sticking to a niche and providing solid advice to his readers.

This is a bit cheesy, but I'm also a huge fan of my wife's blog,Independent Travel Cats . She writes incredibly detailed guides (like this amazing Route 66 itinerary), that are usually the most comprehensive posts on a subject I've ever seen.

I also enjoy reading Liz Carlson's blog at Young Adventuress – she doesn't pull any punches with her writing style, and it's been fun to watch her grow and evolve in the years I've known her.

Laurence Lightning Round of Favorites

Airport: Changi, Singapore.
Mode of Transportation: Train
City or Country: New Zealand
Travel Gear: My camera, a Canon 6D
Travel snack: Beef jerky
Book: The Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy
Movie: The Big Lebowski
Song: Rio Calling, by The Sneer
Quote: Life is a journey to be experienced, not a problem to be solved – Winnie the Pooh (A. A. Milne)

Thanks Laurence!

You can keep up with Laurence on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and of course on his blog. Wherever you catch him, I am sure you will enjoy his travel adventures!

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