How I Became a Full-Time Outdoor Content Creator (And What I Wish I Knew)

It started with a move from Kelowna to Vancouver to attend UBC to secure my BA of International Relations. I thought I was chasing a degree, but what I really found was a whole new life out on the West Coast. Vancouver’s mountains, the ocean, and the endless trails quickly became my playground. My weekends started to be daily adventures! Where I would bike through lush forests, run along the seawall, and escape into the wilderness every chance I got. Nature wasn’t just a backdrop here..it was alive, and it called to me!

iPhone Photos, Feature Accounts & a Craigslist Camera

Back then, I spent my weekends hiking and snapping photos with my iPhone. I had a friend who got free sunglasses from a brand just by posting on Instagram, and that blew my mind.. you could get free stuff just by sharing photos? I was already doing it for fun!?

So I leaned in to “the game”. I tagged feature accounts, used hashtags, and hoped for a repost. This was back in 2017–2018, when growth was fast and getting featured felt like winning the lottery. I didn’t have fancy gear, just passion and a genuine love of hiking and the outdoors! I would spend every chance I got outside! I would go on crazy road trips in a Honda Civic down the California coast, or through Yosemite and Crater Lake, doing everything I could to chase adventure and capture this beautiful world.

Eventually, I bought my first camera: a used Sony A7 with a 16-35mm f/4 lens off Craigslist. I was the definition of a starving student so used gear was the only option I had - and to this day I still love buying second hand gear!

For my first lens, I paired it with a Rokinon 18mm to shoot astro because I was obsessed with the idea of capturing the stars - it just felt like magic! So there my landscape photography era began!

The Photo That Changed Everything

For years, I stayed behind the lens. It wasn’t until my fourth year of university that a friend took a photo of me on a hike in Maui- and it performed way better than I expected. I realized people weren’t just drawn to the places I went and they wanted to see me in the story.

That changed everything.

I slowly started showing up in my content and with that, my account grew! I started to realize social media was about storytelling, about being personable and real - or being someone people can relate to.

Another important layer on my journey was getting deeper into outdoor sports. I learned to ski as an adult at 22 years old at Whistler Blackcomb, and eventually tried new outdoor sports like climbing and cycling, and leaned deeper into storytelling. As I approached 10K followers, brands started to take notice and I got my first paid campaign! It felt like the beginning of something real.

Quitting Corporate & Choosing Chaos

When I graduated in the devastating job market of 2020 I somehow landed a corporate marketing job. The job was marketing for a pet supplement clinic, and I answered emails and dm’s about sick pets every day… It was soul crushing work in an already depressing year.

My outlet to survive corporate life was getting outside every day rain or shine. I would run 5 - 10kms on my 1 hour lunch breaks. I would spend weekends cycling circles around Vancouver. And in the winter I got into Backcountry Skiing to escape the busy ski hills.

Even though I was active, the low pay, COVID burnout, and feeling creatively stifled, I was miserable. I was scared to take the leap into content full-time and I didn’t think it could support me. But I somehow started making more through Instagram than I did at my day job…

So I quit. I told myself I was in between jobs, interviewing, “figuring it out.” But I never applied for anything else. I just… went for it. It was a universal push I am not sure I would have been brave enough given other circumstances.

Looking back, I know I started full-time freelance photography too early. I had about 20K followers and wasn’t making enough to fully support myself. Year one was great. But year two was brutal. I had to learn everything the hard way like pitching, pricing, negotiating, and staying consistent. I always seem to choose the hard mode. But I typically grow the most that way!

What I Wish I Knew

I wish someone had told me how financially volatile this job can be. That net 30 payments are standard. That your credit card will get into the thousands. You will be in debt. Your hobbies WILL lose their magic after a few years. That working for yourself is lonely and isolating when you spend hours alone editing in your bedroom office. And That resting is hard when your income depends on constantly creating.

But I also know I am SO lucky. Vancouver’s creator community is generous and strong and when I was beginning I reached out to people in the industry… and they became my mentors and coworkers. I am so incredibly grateful for the local creators who mentored me, helped me price myself, welcomed me in and hiked with me!

Having community support made this life feel possible. At the time - my family didn’t believe in me. But the creative community did! And that meant everything.

I truly feel Vancouver is such a special place because of our outdoor creative community. We are here as a team to support and grow with one another and I think that’s what makes this such a special place to live! A backyard like none other!

If you are beginning your creative journey please reach out to me! It would be my honour to mentor the creators to come and return the favour that helped me achieve my dreams :)

Why I Create

A huge part of my “why” is my parents. My dad has been declining with dementia for over a decade (since my first year of Uni). For me, I watched my mom wait for him to join her in retirement to travel with him. But by the time they finally could, it was too late… his disease stole away all their freedom and we’ve been losing him a little every day ever since.

So I travel for them.

I explore, move, learn, feel and remember everything while I still can. Life is fragile. We don’t get forever. I don’t want to waste a second waiting for “someday.” I am strong and able now. I may not have the savings account or pension my mom dreams for me… but I have the most incredible memories of a life well lived and a world deeply explored :)

Final Thoughts

It’s been 6 years since I made the leap. I’m still learning. Still evolving. Still figuring out who I am online and how to best share my voice. But I’ve realized this:

People are watching. You might not see it, but you’re inspiring someone to dream bigger, hike further, or finally book that trip. And that’s a beautiful responsibility to carry!

Working for yourself means every ounce of energy you give, you get back. It’s terrifying and thrilling. And in my opinion? It’s what life is all about.

If you’re reading this and dreaming of starting, just know: the timing will never be perfect. But your passion is enough to begin. So start now!