Why I Walk and Bring a Camera
Like many, I discovered walking when I was a bouncy toddler. In contrast, I didn't uncover its magic until much later. Since then, however, I've made it a crucial part of my lifestyle and even have my own routine, hacks, and newsletter.
Although walking in and of itself packs enough value to justify doing it, I find that the simple addition of a camera strapped around the neck elevates its potential to a remarkable degree — as the hammer Mjölnir does to Thor.
In this essay, I will outline — in no particular order — the eight reasons why I take (photo) walks in the hopes of awakening your interest so you may reap the benefits too. Some of them require a camera, others not so much.
🫀 1. It exerts my body
This is a big one for me as I'm regretfully not a very physical person. Most of my day is spent sitting in front of a screen and typing words like the ones you're reading right now. So it's no surprise that walks are a welcome addition to my schedule. Even though they cut my creative flow, yank me off my bum, and kick me out the door, it's all worth it. A bundle of fresh air, an increased blood flow, and a dose of Vitamin D is one highly underrated gift you can give yourself.
🔋 2. It elevates my productivity
I'm not kidding when I say that a 30-minute walk acts like a restart button on my mind. That is why I like to take my walks around lunchtime so that I can pull through the second half of the day with more efficiency. On days when I'm busy and forget to go out, the absence of a walk hits hard — my afternoons feel sluggish, my body stiffens, time seems to pass slower, and I'm easily distracted.
🧳 3. It leads me to discovery
Walking with a camera inherently makes me curious, which is one hell of a quality to have. One thing it does is it entices me to travel more, which allows me to discover the world, learn about different cultures, and meet new people; all of which widens my perspective on life and makes me grow as a human. The number of places I'd never have visited and the people I would never have met if I hadn't had this curious state of mind, that is one scary thought.
🎨 4. It trains my creative muscle
As a creative whose main art form isn't photography, I find that taking pictures is an effective way to challenge my brain in new ways just like a footballer would by stepping off the grass and training on a beach. I've found that this side-training helps me get out of creative ruts and, overall, improves my performance in my main discipline.
🦹🏼♂️ 5. It makes me feel like a superhero
I alluded to this in the introduction. It's a tricky concept to put into words, but there's something powerful about going out for a stroll with a camera in hand; so many opportunities are unlocked; you feel like a hero in an adventure story and the world is yours to seize. Unfortunately, I don't have an alter ego with superhuman powers, but I'm sure the feeling isn't far off from the one Bruce Wayne gets when he puts on that batsuit.
🎰 6. It lets me gamble without a losing chance
What does the casual photo walker have in common with the patient angler, the curious bird watcher, and the mindful cloudspotter? They always win. Unlike the avid Pachinko goer who puts his funds on the line, or the compulsive drinker who endangers his health, the photo walker, at most, risks their time … except they don't, not even that. Why? Because despite coming home without any photos they like, they'll have profited in so many other ways.
🪁 7. It enables me to capture memories
For many, especially those who don't consider themselves a photographer, this is the primary reason they take photos — to freeze memorable moments with those who matter the most in order to relive those feelings down the road. In my case, this is more of a side effect, albeit a very welcome bonus and one which only grows in value as time lapses.
🪷 8. It improves my mental health
I read somewhere that a 30-minute walk gives the same relief as a happy pill. I don't know if that's true as I've never taken antidepressants, but I do know that walks work wonders on my mind. For the longest time, I wasn't much of a walker. That almost changed after I bought my first camera. You see, something magical happened when I went out to photograph the world: My moved improved. The problem? I didn't realise it at the time. A month later, I sold my camera and, stopped walking; unsurprisingly, my mood reverted to the old standard. It wasn't until I picked up my second body that the truth hit me: Strolling and framing takes my mind off things by grounding me in the present. Photography is therapy.
That's it; those are all the reasons I walk … and bring a camera with me.
🎁 The End? Not quite …
If you're reading this and wish to integrate photo walks into your life but are being held back by notions of self-doubt, grab those thoughts by the shoulder and escort them out of your head as soon as possible.
But I'm not a photographer …
Not a problem; you don't have to be a "photographer" to do a photo walk. Take another look at the list above; none of the reasons is about taking great photos because that's not the purpose — not to me at least. In my eyes, photo walks are for the body and soul; it's a gift to yourself, not a race towards greatness.
But I don't have a proper camera …
It doesn't matter. The only real benefit a camera gives you is more control over your settings and some mechanical stimuli — clicky buttons and scrolling wheels. If that enthralls you, why not make it a reward for yourself after you complete the 100th walk? For now, keep things simple and stick with your phone.
But I'm not a creative person …
Everyone — that includes you — has a creative spark inside them, a unique way of seeing things, and a story to tell beneath it all. By strolling, spotting things that interest you, and capturing them, you're already being imaginative because you're deciding what to keep in the frame and what stays out of it. And like anything else, the more you do it, the more confident you become.
But I don't feel like walking …
You're in luck because there's a funny thing that happens when a photo walk is done right: You don't notice the physical effort. The best way I can explain this is with a metaphor. Imagine you're inside your warm home while a blizzard unfolds outside. At one point, you go into the kitchen and peer through the kitchen window; lying in the street, motionless, is a person. As the good soul you are, you dash out to help them. While outside, you're not thinking about the blizzard because you're too concerned with the fallen individual. That's the feeling I get when I'm out with my camera; I don't feel the steps, I'm too busy exploring, being present, and composing frames. The fatigue only becomes noticeable once you call it a day and head home; by then — guess what — you've already walked.
That's it; if you needed the permission, blessing, or reassurance, you now have it. At the next opportunity, treat yourself to a good walk and snap a few photos along the way — it might change your life like it did for me.