DEPARTURE LOUNGE // AUTUMN 2020
TRAVEL
PHOTOGRAPHER
TO FOLLOW:
BROOKE SAWARD
@worldwanderlust
At 28, Tasmanian-born Brooke Saward
is one of the world’s top solo female
travel bloggers. With more than 591 000
followers on Instagram alone, her social
channels offer a sneak peek into life as a
full-time explorer.
Brooke’s travel career kicked off in
an unconventional way – much like the
road-less-travelled approach she takes
to all her prospective adventures.
SURE TRAVEL JOURNEY: How did
you develop a passion for travel?
BROOKE SAWARD: I have been travelling
solo for the past seven years, but my love
for travel began when I was 13 and I got
selected to sing at a movie premiere in
Hong Kong as part of a children’s choir.
My parents thought it was a hoax! But as
soon as I went overseas, I was hooked.
You make a living travelling full time
– how did you get into photography
and blogging?
I decided in December 2012 to start a
travel blog sharing my travel tips for places
I had been. It was mostly out of necessity,
having answered one too many emails
from my parents’ friends about where
I would recommend in the few places I
had been… I only realised I had created a
brand about a year later, when I started to
receive offers to stay in hotels and feature
them. My travel photography followed, but
I cringe when I look back at my old travel
photos! Only through a lot of practice and
continued learning have I been able to
establish myself as a travel photographer.
What are the elements of good
travel photography?
I believe a good travel photo tells a story.
I also believe the same is true of a series
of photographs that guide the viewer
through a journey. It isn’t always about
creating one really epic “hero” image,
16 // MAKE MEMORIES FOR LIFE
though there is obviously a place for that
in the age of Instagram. Whatever the
case, like any art form, it’s important to
connect with the viewer of your work, and
that requires evoking emotion.
Your most memorable trip?
Last year I travelled to Pakistan and
explored the country overland. What
struck me most is how many people
following me on social media were
completely unaware of the natural
beauty in Pakistan – the mountains, the
hikes, the scenic drives. Being able to
challenge the typical Western perception
of a country like Pakistan felt really
meaningful. In an age where more people
than ever are travelling, I wanted to dive
deeper and find a stronger connection
with the places we explore.
“I opened up my life to
share my own journey in the
hopes of inspiring other
women to also travel
solo. Before I started
travelling alone, I was much
more shy and nervous”
What artists, museums or galleries
inspire you?
I have a real connection to live art
forms – theatre, ballet, even opera.
There’s something so vulnerable in a live
performance that allows you to connect
with a stage character or performer in