What It’s Really Like Being an Adventure Photographer for We Are Explorers

Daygin lives a life that looks pretty good on paper; hanging from cliffs, diving into pristine streams, and shooting it all on a big, juicy camera. But what’s it really like?

There’s often a moment at the end of a stellar day when it all sinks in.

Diving into a cold creek – legs scratched and shoulders sore, with unreal memories.

A day out that includes rock climbing, canyoning, trail running, and wild swimming. For most people this could be the total from a week on holiday.

For me? It’s Tuesday.

Life as an adventure photographer is often seen as one big highlight reel – sunrises, remote adventures, road trips, and time outside with friends. And honestly, it’s not too far from that but there’s certainly something to be said about the early starts, heavy packs, days spent behind the computer, and years of hard work that have got me here.

First Up, an Early Morning Rock Climbing Shoot

The alarm goes off early, as is the case on most shoot days. We’re up before the sun, throwing ropes, backpacks, and camera gear into the tray of the new Toyota HiLux SR5 – one of the day’s subjects.

Read more: Our First Look at the New Toyota HiLux

Adventure photography can be very gear-intensive. We’re not just packing our cameras, we’re packing our means of actually accessing the shot.

Rolling into Sublime Point as first light breaks, the valley is sitting under a thick cloud inversion.

The mountains are quiet, moody, and feel surreal. As an adventure photographer, my favourite part about living on Dharug and Gundungurra Country in the Blue Mountains is all the different ways I get to experience the place in which I live.

Adventure photography for me is all about creating moments rather than images. Heading out on genuine adventures where real experiences are had, with me merely there to notice and capture them as they unfold.

It’s a humid day amongst the clouds. Accompanied by heavy packs and steep terrain, we’re already sweating before we’ve even arrived at the spot. That’s all a part of why I love it.

If you want real moments, you need to work to get where they happen!

This morning we’re just after a few key hero images. My talent for the morning – a bunch of climbers – rack up and we start shooting. I really love how intimate climbing photography can feel.

Positioning myself close to the climber, watching how they move and think through a sequence. You’re right there as they battle physically and mentally, fighting the forearm pump, showing commitment, controlling fear. It feels so physical, raw, and real.

Instagram vs Reality

People are often curious about what my job is really like. On paper it looks dreamy – long days outside, chasing light, and adventuring with your buddies. But those highlights are just a few of the moments that exist amongst the rest of the job that does actually feel like work.

The early alarms, the late nights dumping footage, and the days sleeping crammed into my car or tent can be tough. I’m always trying to think one step ahead while planning, sorting out logistics, and dealing with the inevitable weather challenges that come with shooting outdoors.

Not to mention the days behind the computer building decks to win more work, the meetings, and locking in to edit thousands of images.

Keeping the Work-Life Balance in Check by Cooling Off in Empress Canyon

Arriving back at the car post-shoot we’re all drenched in sweat again. It is – for sure – too good of a day to just head back home and jump on the computer.

I make the executive decision that the adventure must go on and pilot the HiLux to the start of Empress Canyon. There’s quite literally nothing better to do on a hot day in the Blueys than go canyoning.

We head down Empress – an absolute staple of my weekly routine. The canyons here transport you to another world. There’s a stark contrast between the dry orange sandstone cliffs and the cold, dark, green slot canyons. Exactly what we needed.

Running through this canyon is absolute pure joy for us, a reminder that it’s not all work. Part jogging, part scrambling, lots of jumping into dark pools – the cold water provides an epic reset.

Maybe some clifftop trail running too?

It’s been a pretty good day. Should we call it there? Absolutely not.

One of the best things about getting up so early for a shoot is that there’s plenty of life left in the day and my legs. It’s a bluebird in the Blue Mountains – time for a trail run.

I head out to Govetts Leap for some clifftop running and the mountains are in my favourite mood. Low-hanging clouds are sweeping through the valley, dark distant clouds are building, Black cockatoos are gliding – there’s even a rainbow, just to top it off.

These are the sort of days that make it hard to actually run – the views are too good.

The technical trails around home make running really engaging and the uphill stairs are the perfect opportunity to turn the run into a brief walk – my favourite part.

An End of Day Creek Dip

As the sun begins to dip below the horizon, I start thinking about the editing I still have to do. After a quick swim, of course.

I venture down to a special creek a short drive from the end of my trail run. It’s a rough road but the HiLux handles the steep descents and water crossings with ease.

Read more: How to 4WD – A Guide to 4WDing for Beginners

A trusty car is actually pretty essential as an adventure photographer. It needs to be able to haul gear, tackle tough roads in and out, and be reliable to keep up with my hectic schedule.

Shoes and shirt off and I’m straight in. I wash off the sweat and dirt from the day and enjoy a still, quiet moment to reflect on this incredible life. In this ‘busy’ life we all seem to live, these little pockets of silence are becoming harder to come by.

It’s so easy to just keep moving – plan, shoot, unpack, edit, charge batteries, and sleep. But creating this space after each day is where I always find time to appreciate my job and the freedom it brings me.

Keep It Real

Being an adventure photographer isn’t just about capturing epic moments. It’s about putting ourselves in the places to experience them first.

Working with We Are Explorers requires me to balance genuine adventure while reliably delivering commercial assets for a client that ticks all kinds of boxes.

Days like this remind me that it’s all worth it.

While we might not all end our work days in a creek, it’s definitely possible to create these special moments outside of work. Moments that remind you that you’re doing it right and that you’re exactly where you’re meant to be.

Photography by @paulyloz