In honor of International Women’s Day, we at Passion Passport want to recognize the contribution female storytellers make to the travel industry.
From professional photographers to global entrepreneurs, up-and-coming travelers to Instagram influencers, each of these women have added something unique to the travel storytelling space by speaking out and sharing their experiences.
These 33 individuals represent many different parts of the travel industry, but there is always room for more viewpoints, perspectives, and musings — which is where you come in. Get to know these incredible women, take their advice to heart, and start telling your story to the world.
ADRIENNE PITTS (@hellopoe)
Traveling since: Birth! On my own since age 17
Home country: New Zealand
Last passport stamp: Malawi
Personal creative style in less than 10 words:
“‘Above all, with feeling.’ I hope there’s always emotion in my work.”
Most rewarding travel experience in recent years:
“I was in Malawi for a shoot in December 2018, and it was incredible. It was my first time in that part of Africa and it was such a warm and welcoming place. I feel like I had so much to learn there, and I really hope I can go back soon.”
Advice for other female travel storytellers:
“You can do it all and be it all and see it all and most importantly, learn from and share it all. Do not let people tell you that you shouldn’t chase your dreams, or that it’s too dangerous. It’s not. Your point of view is your own and wholly unique – and if you can share that with others and help tell the stories of people and places that are different in this world, then the world will be richer for it. Build yourself up, and build your community up with it.”
ANNAPURNA MELLOR (@annapurnauna)
Traveling since: 2014
Home country: England
Last passport stamp: Nepal
Personal creative style in less than 10 words:
“People and places of our vibrant, colorful world.”
Most rewarding travel experience in recent years:
“Getting to photograph the monks at the Tawang Monastery in northeast India in December 2017.”
Advice for other female travel storytellers:
“It is essential for women to have a role in the travel storytelling world. As a woman, you tell very different stories than men, and I have found that being a female photographer gives me access to stories and people that men don’t often have the opportunity to photograph. Photographing women and children across the world is one of the most rewarding things I do, and it is often only because I am also a woman that I am able to gain their trust and capture them in a way that is natural and authentic.
Don’t be afraid of the world! The number one question I get asked as a photographer is ‘how do you photograph people?’ And my answer is never one of magic … simply one of humanity! Approach the person who interests you and ask to photograph them. And go out and find stories around the world which fascinate you. Women’s stories are so interesting, and as a woman, you have the unique power to tell stories in an authentic way.”
BRIANA MOORE (@brianamoore)
Traveling since: Only about one year professionally, but always with family.
Home country: USA
Last passport stamp: Morocco
Personal creative style in less than 10 words:
“Bridging the gap between aesthetic travel and everyday grandeur.”
Most rewarding travel experience of recent years:
“My move to Berlin, Germany! I relish the opportunity to fully engage in a new culture.”
Advice for other female travel storytellers:
“If traveling solo: Be smart, but don’t be scared. You have a unique perspective, and now more than ever, our voices need to be heard.”
CHRISTINE AMOROSE (@cestchristine)
Traveling since: Age 21
Home country: USA
Last passport stamp: Mexico
Personal creative style in less than 10 words:
“Colorful, authentic, upbeat: sharing the things I genuinely love in a real way!”
Most rewarding travel experience of recent years:
“I committed to spending every birthday in my 20s in a new country, and I celebrated my 29th birthday in Copenhagen in the summer of 2018. I loved exploring Copenhagen, but it was also very satisfying to have accomplished that goal in so many beautiful places and with so many fun experiences!”
Advice for other female travel storytellers:
“Don’t be afraid to embrace your quirkiness: the strange and wonderful things that genuinely get you the most excited will be what set you apart from the rest of the crowd.”
ELAINE LI (@lielaine)
Traveling since: 1990
Home country: Hong Kong
Last passport stamp: Sydney, Australia
Personal creative style in less than 10 words:
“Exploring the underexplored and capturing moments around the world one city at a time.”
Most rewarding travel experience in recent years:
“It’s quite easy finding travel inspiration and ‘instagrammable’ locations to shoot at through social media these days. But traveling to China is a whole different story, where it’s much harder to find ‘spots’. I visited Xi’An, Tianjin, and Beijing earlier this year, and it was so rewarding and incredible finding hidden gems around town. From a frozen lake that you can walk on in Tianjin, to a Bell Tower at the center of a roundabout. The trip was full of surprises.”
Advice for other female travel storytellers:
“Travelling as a female can sometimes be risky. I think the most important thing is to strike a balance between exploring the unknown while ensuring your personal safety.”
EMILY HINCHCLIFF (@el_fotomat)
Traveling since: I was a baby. I’ve been hooked ever since.
Home country: USA
Last passport stamp: Guatemala
Personal creative style in less than 10 words:
“Dilly-dallying through the world’s rich details, colors, and beauty.”
Most rewarding travel experience in recent years:
“My annual winter thaw-out and personal photographic retreat in multiple villages surrounding Lake Atitlán, Guatemala.”
Advice for other female travel storytellers:
“It’s more than okay to see the world as a solo female traveler! Use your street smarts and get out there — don’t let a few stories in the media scare you away from journeying to a giant country like India, where a rich and vibrant and soul-fulfilling experience awaits.”
ERIN SULLIVAN (@erinoutdoors)
Traveling since: 2011
Home country: USA
Last passport stamp: Mexico
Personal creative style in less than 10 words:
“Stories of connection that ignite and inspire the human spirit.”
Most rewarding travel experience in recent years:
“Seeing a white rhino for the first time. White rhino populations have made a comeback in Namibia as a result of serious conservation efforts over the past century. It was special to track a mom and calf on foot, knowing that though there is still much work to be done, protection and management of endangered species can result in success stories.”
Advice for other female travel storytellers:
“Tell YOUR story, not the one you think people want to hear. Your story is unique to you, and to you alone. This industry can be so daunting because it’s easy to feel like it’s oversaturated or that there isn’t room for someone else. I hope you never believe that. There is room. I promise.”
FLORA BAKER (@florabaker)
Traveling since: 2007
Home country: England
Last passport stamp: Cuba
Personal creative style in less than 10 words:
“Discovering unique places through detailed, thought-provoking, and inspiring storytelling.”
Most rewarding travel experience in recent years:
“Spending two weeks driving around the west of Scotland last summer with my boyfriend and our dog in his van (converted from an old horse box, complete with Turkish rugs for insulation and a wood-burning stove!). Van life is a new style of travel for me, so I was overjoyed to find that I loved not knowing where we’d end up each night, and loved trusting in our little home on wheels to make us cosy no matter what.”
Advice for other female travel storytellers:
“Keep searching for the details that fascinate you. If you feel that little burst of excitement at a snippet of conversation with a local, ask more questions. If you can’t stop thinking about that old paint-peeling shop front on a wander through a new city, go back and find out more. Write down as much as you can, even if it’s brief. Note your sensory reactions, as they’ll maintain the memory later. There are stories everywhere we look, but sometimes they need coaxing out.”
FLYNN COLEMAN (@flynncoleman)
Traveling since: Birth
Home country: USA
Last passport stamp: Portugal
Personal creative style in less than 10 words:
“Seeking the beauty, truth, and humanity in all of us.”
Most rewarding travel experience of recent years:
“I am a voracious reader and lifelong book lover, so pilgrimages to libraries and through bookstores are always part of my adventures. I was in a magnificent bookstore in Portugal (land of stunning bookshops), and spent hours running my hands along the spines of rare books, browsing copies of new editions by cherished Portuguese writers, and watching the light stream through the stained glass windows onto the dusty bookshelves high above. I chatted with other delighted bookworms passing through, and with the bookkeeper, who spent a long time carefully and thoroughly making me a list of his favorite dystopian fiction by Portuguese authors as we shared anecdotes about magical realism and dystopian novels that we love. I spoke with a Brazilian couple about our favorite adventures in Brazil and laughed with travelers from the UK as we told stories about beloved books and hidden places along the English countryside.
In a gorgeous bookshop across the sea, we had all found each other in that moment, where words written by those who had come before us had brought us together for one perfect, ordinary afternoon filled with strangers who became friends and laughed together in the company of the books and stories that surrounded us.”
Advice for other female travel storytellers:
“Always walk in curiosity and wonder. Remember what MLK Jr. said, that “life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?'” Whether it’s supporting a local organization or community, sharing the stories of people you meet along the way, you can always be an ambassador and an advocate for the stories and people all around you as you travel.
If we are willing to say yes to our own adventure, to find our own voice amidst the crowd, and use it to amplify the stories of others as well, it can remind us of what truly matters in this wild, awe-inspiring world of ours. Choose love, not fear. No one has your voice and your unique perspective. You have a story to tell and a voice that deserves to be heard. Find out what matters to you, find your purpose and your passions, and live your life in accordance with your deepest values and the causes that make you feel alive.
When I feel lost, that is what I try to remember: that life is about connecting with people, learning from them, and trying to help when you can.”
FRANKIE RATFORD (@frankieratford & @thedesignkids)
Traveling since: 2002 part-time; 2012 full-time
Home country: Australia
Last passport stamp: Sri Lanka
Personal creative style in less than 10 words:
“Spontaneous, fun, complete freedom, exploration, challenging — all combining design, travel and business.”
Most rewarding travel experience in recent years:
“Sleeping in a treehouse in rural Sweden, and learning various building techniques, seeing a yurt, cabins, a hobbit-house and a round house being built using the materials only around the farm.”
Advice for other female travel storytellers:
“Be genuine — do things for a higher purpose than popularity, fame, and gaining followers. Live each moment fully engaged without the expectation of sharing.”
FREYA DOWSON (@freyadowson)
Traveling since: 2002
Home country: Bermuda
Last passport stamp: Kenya
Personal creative style in less than 10 words:
“Always looking for where honesty and beauty connect.”
Most rewarding travel experience in recent years:
“Photographing newborn baby elephants in the wild, born to mothers who had been orphaned themselves as babies by poachers.”
Advice for other female travel storytellers:
“I think a female perspective is still so underrepresented in the traveling community on issues that mean a lot to this world. We are at a point in time where the world is listening, and wants to hear our point of view on what has, up until now, largely been covered by men. Add your voice on what matters to you, no matter what it is — it’s a powerful tool and we all want to hear what you have to say.”
GLORIA ATANMO (@glographics)
Traveling since: 2012
Home country: USA
Last passport stamp: Argentina
Personal creative style in less than 10 words:
“I’m a free-spirited, bohemian-dressed, hippie and aspiring minimalist. ”
Most rewarding travel experience in recent years:
“Finally visiting my parents’ motherland of Nigeria. Getting to meet family members from my late father’s side for the very first time was something I still don’t have words to describe.”
Advice for other female travel storytellers:
“ I am so passionate about sharing my story with others, especially in the travel-sphere, because our voices are just as important as the affluent male travelers’ perspective that’s been told a dozen times over. Women of color specifically have such unique narratives to share and it’s important for publications to amplify our voices whenever possible to remind others of the importance of our stories too.”
JESSICA NABONGO (@thecatchmeifyoucan)
Traveling since: Internationally since the age of 6
Home country: USA, but I have both American and Ugandan passports
Last passport stamp: Indonesia
Personal creative style in less than 10 words:
“Bright. Bold. Alive. Authentic.”
Most rewarding travel experience in recent years:
“My most rewarding travel experience by far was interacting with woman of the Himba tribe in Namibia and having them dress me in their traditional clothing. It was a beautiful experience.”
Advice for other female travel storytellers:
“It is important for woman to be part of the travel storytelling space because, as travelers and in particular solo travelers, we can show women and girls everywhere that they to have license to get up and see the world. Though it may not be that easy for many to have access to travel, just seeing other women do it ignites the possibility in their mind. Be fearless and do not allow anyone to limit what you can do and where you can go.”
JIN CHU-FERRER (@jinchuferrer)
Traveling since: 2006
Home country: USA
Last passport stamp: Colombia
Personal creative style in less than 10 words:
“Perfectly imperfect meets fine art.”
Most rewarding travel experience in recent years:
“Spending a month in Myanmar and experiencing the most genuine local souls mixed with a myriad of political contradictions. I’ve been traveling through Asia since childhood due to having family in The Philippines, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. So visiting Myanmar was a bit of a conundrum for me, and unlike any other South East Asian country I’ve ever been to.”
Advice for other female travel storytellers:
“It’s important for females to promote community over competition in the travelsphere, to inspire and encourage others to push the boundaries of their comfort zone and live life with intention and purpose. It’s not about what looks good on paper, but what really matters to the heart and soul. If there’s one piece of advice I’d give other female travel storytellers, it’s to just go for it! It’s better knowing than not knowing what could’ve been.”
JOANN PAI (@sliceofpai)
Traveling since: 2003
Home country: Taiwan, USA, Canada, and now France
Last passport stamp: Mexico
Personal creative style in less than 10 words:
“I like to tell stories around food and how it connects people around the world.”
Most rewarding travel experience in recent years:
“Not to sound cheesy, but I’ve found every travel experience to be rewarding as I learn from all of them. I learn about the different cultures, history, and myself too.”
Advice for other female travel storytellers:
“Speak up and continue telling your stories. It’s important because we represent half of the population! It’s great to share different perspectives and experiences.”
KATE GAZAWAY (@ladykategazaway & @picturechange)
Traveling since: Age 15
Home country: USA
Last passport stamp: South Africa
Personal creative style in less than 10 words:
“People-centric, story-driven, purposeful, spontaneous, empathetic, authentic, synergistic, whimsical, accessible, organic.”
Most rewarding travel experience in recent years:
“I was working in Uganda a few summers ago and had the opportunity to travel with Rosa Umanzor Diaz, a former photography student of mine and a dear friend, who lives in a tiny fishing village in Nicaragua. Besides working alongside my Ugandan students, Rosa and I shared the rich culture of Africa, experienced the warmth, depth, and joy of the people over meals or out dancing with locals, and had the adventure of a lifetime while on safari and rafting the Nile River. It was much more meaningful to share these experiences with a friend and sister who was discovering the wider world for the first time rather than doing it by myself.”
Advice for other female travel storytellers:
“One of my favorite scenes in ‘Whiskey Tango Foxtrot’ is when Tina Fey’s character is embedded with the US military in Afghanistan. They go to a rural village to investigate an exploded well in the center of the village, and a woman clad in a burqa motions to Tina Fey‘s character to follow her. She enters a room full of women, obviously afraid of being discovered, who remove their burqas and inform her the people are blowing up the village well, not the Taliban. The only time the women are allowed to leave the house and socialize is on the long walk to the river for water, and the centrally-located well was preventing them from having this rare contact with each other.
I love this scene because only a female would have been permitted into this confidence with the women of the village. In my travels, I am sensitive and aware of this deep bond shared with women around the world. I personally have the rare ability and resources to move about our planet and witness these stories, and who I am as a woman allows me to peel back cultural layers and feel a deeper, shared narrative below the surface. It is a privilege and responsibility to bear witness to and document these stories of our sisters around the world, especially those who are having their voices silenced by oppression and violence.”
KATIE GOLDIE (@goldiehawn_)
Traveling since: 2016
Home country: Canada
Last passport stamp: New Zealand
Personal creative style in less than 10 words:
“My creative style is vividly real and tells a story.”
Most rewarding travel experience in recent years:
“Tasmania! It was such a unique place and full of surprises!”
Advice for other female travel storytellers:
“Step outside your comfort zone. I think it’s important for women to tell their travel stories to encourage others to get out there. There is so much to learn and some things can only be taught from the pages of the passport.”
KYM PHAM (@kympham)
Traveling since: 2011
Home country: France
Last passport stamp: Norway
Personal creative style in less than 10 words:
“An intimate look into the vast expanse of our world.”
Most rewarding travel experience in recent years:
“In the summer of 2017, I cycled over 3,000 kilometers along the coast of Norway, from the southern tip to the Northern tip bordering Russia. It took 99 days and I slept in tents most of that time. It was a deeply intimate experience with the beauty of the land and the sea and my own body. I learned that strength could also be soft and full of care, and this is changing my entire approach to physical journeys as a woman.”
Advice for other female travel storytellers:
“The next generation of daughters and sisters deserve to know the stories of exploration and courage of the daughters and sisters before them. There will be a day in the near future when we won’t need to make the distinction between men and women travel storytellers because it will all be so normal. For that day to happen, we need to continue exploring and telling our stories from our own hearts. Never be afraid to talk about the ugly amidst the beautiful — and do so with a compassionate voice. In our acceptance of the full spectrum of the human experience in every nook of our planet, it’s possible we will finally begin to fall in love with our own humanity, inspiring us to make gentler decisions towards one another and our home on Earth.”
LAURA AUSTIN (@laura_austin)
Traveling since: Childhood
Home country: USA
Last passport stamp: Argentina
Personal creative style in less than 10 words:
“I’m a storyteller… making the simple fantastical and the fantastical feasible.”
Most rewarding travel experience in recent years:
“I spent the whole month of December on the road … driving from Los Angeles to Colorado to spend a good chunk of quality time with my family there. Then, on my way back to California, I met my dad and step-mom near Big Sur for Christmas. It was really nice to spend a whole month away from my normal routine … and especially to spend and an extended amount of time with my siblings and parents who I normally only get to see once a year.”
Advice for other female travel storytellers:
“I think it is very important for female travel stories to be shared. What I have become known for is solo travel … and generally I think there is a stigma against women traveling alone. When these stories are shared, it helps give other females the confidence to set out on their own which can to lead to some incredible self-empowering and eye opening experiences.”
LAUREN RANDOLPH (@laurenlemon)
Traveling since: Always, but 2014 professionally
Home country: USA
Last passport stamp: Colombia
Personal creative style in less than 10 words:
“Colorful, carefree, adventurous lifestyle portraiture, on-the-go.”
Most rewarding travel experience in recent years:
“I had the opportunity to visit Peru, and was specifically asked to photograph locals before and after giving them a compliment. I love portraiture, but I’m not always comfortable asking strangers for their picture. This project got me out of my comfort zone, allowed me to connect with people I never would have otherwise, and in turn was one of the most memorable trips and rewarding experiences. I’ll never forget those smiles I saw.”
Advice for other female travel storytellers:
“Go everywhere with an open heart and mind. Traveling is the greatest way to learn about people, places, and cultures different than your own. As a woman I feel I understand the sensitivity and emotion behind what I photograph, which gives me a gentle demeanor and ease when connecting to people and sharing what I’ve seen. Plus, I’m not afraid to hike up to the top of a mountain with my heavy camera gear either!”
LILY ROSE (@lilyrose)
Traveling since: 2011
Home country: France
Last passport stamp: Norway
Personal creative style in less than 10 words:
“I love to photograph anything that inspires me in a colorful and joyful way.”
Most rewarding travel experience in recent years:
“Finding true happiness — the kind that comes with the unmatched feeling of freedom when traveling and exploring the world! Also, meeting amazing people from all over the world and realizing that our planet is actually really small.”
Advice for other female travel storytellers:
“Try to be unique and share what makes you happy! It’s important for women be part of the travel storytelling space to share our vision of the world.”
LUCY LAUCHT (@lucylaucht)
Traveling since: 2007
Home country: “Somewhere between Melbourne and NYC, but originally from the UK.”
Last passport stamp: Argentina
Personal creative style in less than 10 words:
“I strive to bring a transportive element to my photographs.”
Most rewarding travel experience In recent years:
“Photographing the winter campaign for Tio y Tia, a hat line I recently started with two friends. Inspired by the American Southwest, our hats are handmade by America’s oldest hat maker. Spending time in the desert with strong, creative women was incredibly motivating for me.”
Advice for other female travel storytellers:
“I think women are underrepresented in photography in general and it’s on us to build community, collaborate and, provide support for each other.”
MALIN FEZEHAI (@malinfezehai)
Traveling since: 2005
Home country: USA
Last passport stamp: Jamaica
Personal creative style in less than 10 words:
“Exploring and learning about the world through storytelling, and using photography as an excuse to be somewhere I normally wouldn’t.”
Most rewarding travel experience in recent years:
“Visiting Istanbul, Turkey. It was just for vacation but it was such a wonderful city to explore.”
Advice for other female travel storytellers:
“The more diverse voices and perspectives there are, the better. Everyone has a unique point of view and whether you are female, male, transgender, or however you might identify, your perspective is unique. It’s important to have people with different backgrounds tell stories, so my advice for other women is don’t be afraid to take up space!”
MELISSA FARLOW (@melissafarlow & @wildhorsephotos)
Traveling since: 4th grade in the U.S., since 1976 internationally
Home country: USA
Last passport stamp: Italy
Personal creative style in less than 10 words:
“Authentic, honest, candid, journalistic, inspired to capture moments.”
Most rewarding travel experience in recent years:
“I took a ferry to the Aran Islands to meet up with a NatGeo Expedition. We hiked to a shipwreck, then biked and climbed around on an abandoned castle. That night the light was magical and the young photographers I traveled with were amazed to see the possibilities as they experimented with their cameras learning new techniques.”
Advice for other female travel storytellers:
“Everyone has unique vision as to how we see the world. Women tend to be less threatening and can more easily build trust to photograph people. My advice? Travel light. Take calculated risks, but always stay safe. Believe in yourself.”
MICHELLE HALPERN (@livelikeitsthewknd)
Traveling since: 2016 full-time, on-and-off since 1994
Home country: USA
Last passport stamp: Mexico
Personal creative style in less than 10 words:
“Light and happy, but also deeply reflective at times.”
Most rewarding travel experience in recent years:
“Visiting San Juan, Puerto Rico several months after it was ravaged by Hurricane Maria. The people there were so happy to see visitors coming back to the island as tourism is their second biggest industry and they depend on it for growth, especially after such a horrific year. I loved connecting with the locals and hearing about their experiences.”
Advice for other female travel storytellers:
“I think the advice I would give (which I’m constantly trying to practice myself) is to not create based on what you think others will like, or what will perform well on social media, or what you see others having success with. It’s an easy trap to fall into. We all want to be liked, to be successful, to be recognized. But it’s only when you create based on your own curiosities and inspirations that you’ll feel truly fulfilled.”
PEI KETRON (@pketron)
Traveling since: 2006
Home country: USA
Last passport stamp: Vietnam
Personal creative style in less than 10 words:
“Clean, precise, deliberate.”
Most rewarding travel experience in recent years:
“I got married in August 2018 and my husband and I decided to split our honeymoon into two parts. We did 10 days in Venice in September and 10 days in Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang/Hoi An) in December, so those two trips were pretty special.”
Why women should be in the travel storytelling space:
“It’s important for women to be in the travel storytelling world because men have dominated this space for centuries and women’s voices are still relatively new to being heard. Not all of us fall into the same bucket as Elizabeth Gilbert and her Eat, Pray, Love-type of storytelling, so we need to make sure all of our different stories are heard.”
RACHEL RUDWALL (@rachelroams)
Traveling since: 2005
Home country: USA
Last passport stamp: Morocco
Personal creative style in less than 10 words:
“Adventurous, immersive, authentic. In a phrase: Less frills, more thrills!”
Most rewarding travel experience in recent years:
“Reaching Antarctica was a dream for me, as it was my 7th and final continent. It was humbling and exciting all at once to bask in the glory that is the big, wide, unruly Antarctic.”
Advice for other female travel storytellers:
“Get out there and start telling the stories that matter to you, even if the responsibility scares you. There will be people who will try to dissuade you along the way. They’ll tell you you’re not ready, or you’re not the right person for the job, or you’re not enough. They’re wrong. You ARE enough. You just have to get out there and do it.”
RENEE HAHNEL (@reneeroaming)
Traveling since: Always since childhood, but more frequently since 18
Home country: Australia & the USA
Last passport stamp: Canada
Personal creative style in less than 10 words:
“Soft, whimsical, dreamy, relatable.”
Most rewarding travel experience in recent years:
“In 2017 I took a seven month road trip to all 59 U.S. National Parks — definitely one of the best things I have ever done. It was incredibly rewarding spending so much time out in nature and exploring this beautiful country.”
Advice for other female travel storytellers:
“Be you. Don’t get caught up with what other people love to share. Instead focus on what brings you joy… and always do more of whatever that is! When women share their travel stories, it encourages other women to get out and create their own adventures. That’s a beautiful thing and something we should inspire in everyone.”
SARA MELOTTI (@saramelotti_ & @questforbeauty.co)
Traveling since: The age of 8, but only professionally since 2015
Home country: Italy
Last passport stamp: Tanzania
Personal creative style in less than 10 words:
“Artsy and light with a touch of poetry and romanticism.”
Most rewarding travel experience in recent years:
“I went to India twice. The first time I was on my own for almost two months, it was beautiful, intense, heartbreaking, messy, and life-changing. The second time I went back for a job with an NGO, a project about violence against women, and it opened my eyes about what kind of work I want to create, about how many stories we still don’t know deserve to be heard, and about what kind of storyteller I want to be.”
Advice for other female travel storytellers:
“Tell the truth. Don’t be afraid of being vulnerable and showing too much of yourself, and don’t hold back just to avoid triggering polemics. Travel with an openness and soak in every experience, even the ones that break your heart. Don’t let your ego sell lies for coolness. You were given a voice, use it for good, and tell the truth, always!”
TIFFANY NGUYEN (@tiffpenguin)
Traveling since: 2014
Home country: USA
Last passport stamp: Canada
Personal creative style in less than 10 words:
“Adventure travel photography focusing on grand landscapes in the outdoors.”
Most rewarding travel experience in recent years:
“I lead my first photography workshop in Zion National Park with a group of 10 students. Being able to share one of my favorite places with others and teaching people what photography means to me was one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had in a long time.”
Advice for other female travel storytellers:
“Everyone has their own unique story to tell. Whether it’s through photos or any other form of artistic expression, your voice needs to be heard. Your story can inspire other women to create their own path and be an inspiration for others in the future.”
VEERA BIANCA (@veerabianca)
Travel blogging since: 2008
Home country: Finland
Last passport stamp: Qatar
Personal creative style in less than 10 words:
“I try to bring out the soul in whatever I’m shooting.”
Most rewarding travel experience in recent years:
“A healing pilgrimage in the forests of Japan after a difficult summer in my personal life.”
Advice for other female travel storytellers:
“I think us ladies need to keep spreading the message that each of us can to do exactly what we set our hearts into. And we need to keep encouraging each other to get out of our comfort zones and see the world.”
YANAN SUI (@yanan.aurora)
Traveling since: Childhood
Home country: China
Last passport stamp: USA
Personal creative style in less than 10 words:
“Vibrant, colorful, energetic, and fun.”
Most rewarding travel experience in recent years:
“Traveling to Old Quebec City. It felt like I went to Europe even though it was only 6.5 hours from the East Coast. I met other creatives there, and even a famous mini-pig. The architecture is so well preserved and simply beautiful, the food was delicious, and the city is well lit at night so you can go out any time of day or night. The city was covered in snow and I just loved it. The whole time it felt like a winter wonderland.”
Advice for other female travel storytellers:
“Don’t be afraid to travel to new places alone. Do your research, make your own itinerary, and but be flexible if things don’t work out. Dress weather appropriate. Talk to locals. Be present at all times, wherever you are. And remember that every trip is a learning experience.”
YULIA DENISYUK (@insearchofperfect)
Traveling since: Very first trip in 1988; Full time since 2016
Home country: Now the USA; originally from Kazakhstan by way of Estonia
Last passport stamp: Mongolia
Personal creative style in less than 10 words:
“Vivid colors, rich details, beautiful light for wonder-filled travel stories.”
Most rewarding travel experience in recent years:
“Traveling to Jordan, Palestine, and Israel, educating myself about the complexities of the past and present-day situation in the region, while also connecting with the people who live, work, and create there has both humbled me and enriched my understanding of what it means to lead a creative life.”
Advice for other female travel storytellers:
“Women have a unique world perspective that often leads with compassion. As storytellers, I believe we have this inherent advantage — people more readily trust us with their important stories that need to be told. Women’s voices on travel need to be heard so that girls everywhere have this crucial example: I can do this, I can travel the world, I can do it on my own, and I can become successful in this space.”
Who’d we miss? Leave your favorite female storyteller’s Instagram handle in the comments below… you might see them featured in our next round up!
