What happens when you quit your job, pack your camera, and set off to travel the globe for an entire year? This week’s podcast guest, photographer Kirsten Smith, knows the answer firsthand!
In this inspiring episode, we chat with Kirsten about her journey from leaving behind a traditional career to embracing the unpredictable life of a traveling photographer. She shares how that year-long adventure changed her perspective—not just on photography, but on life itself—and how she balances the “real world” now while still fueling her wanderlust.
Kirsten also dives into the nitty-gritty details: planning, budgeting, and logistics for traveling as a photographer as well as offering insights on finding creative inspiration in new places and capturing the unique energy of each destination. Whether you’re dreaming of your own travel photography adventure or just curious about what it takes to make it happen, this episode is packed with valuable tips and motivation.
Tune in for an honest, adventurous, and uplifting conversation with someone who proves that chasing your dreams is always worth it!
Stream the Episode
Listen to the episode using the player below or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or click here for a wider selection of podcast platforms.
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Episode Promos
This episode includes promos for the following:
- My Fine Art Photography Print Shop
- Pic-Time Image Galleries
- Nerdy Photographer Photography Contract Templates
About My Guest

Kirsten Smith is a writer, photographer, and world traveler based in San Francisco. Her photography can be found in Broken Lens Journal, Cosmic Daffodil, Vagabond City Lit, and more. Her stories have appeared in magazines including Sage Cigarettes and Esoterica. In 2015, Kirsten quit her corporate job to travel the world solo for 1 year — she visited 24 countries across 5 continents, and documented it all in words and photographs in her travel blog, The Wallflower Wanderer. She hasn’t stopped capturing the world around her in words and images since.
You can see Kirsten’s work on her website – wallflowerwanderer.com or follow along with her on Threads or Instagram
Would You Quit Your Job to Travel Taking Pictures?
If money was not an object, where would you want to travel and capture images? Find us on Instagram, Threads, Blue Sky, or TikTok and tell us all about your dream photography destination!