Why I Call It Random Photo Adventure
The story behind the name of Random Photo Adventure
So, where did the name “Random Photo Adventure” come from anyway?
In 2020, after being involved in a motor-vehicle collision in 2019, I turned to photography as a way to escape into nature. It started randomly at first. I’d be on a drive home from work when something would catch my eye, and the next thing I knew, I would find myself stopping the car and adventuring off to capture an image. It was convenient and accommodated my injury easily at first.
As time went on, I built up quite a catalogue of images. After editing a photo, I couldn’t wait to share it with family and friends. Of course, my early shots weren’t the best; my work needed refining like most beginners. But as I kept practicing, the compliments started to feel more genuine. Not just polite nods, but real appreciation.
By December 2020, I created an Instagram account to share my photos. I wasn’t doing it for fame or to chase likes; for me, sharing my photography was the final part of the process. I genuinely enjoyed showing others what I had seen out in the field. But now the question became, what do I call my account?
Unfortunately, there’s another well-known and successful photographer named Greg Noakes. This presented a challenge: should I try to build a name for myself using my name, or should I post under a pen name/brand? I ultimately decided choosing a name for my photography would be easier.
Thinking about how it all started, I thought, 'Random Photo Adventure.' It seemed to capture everything perfectly. Most of my photography outings were spontaneous and not planned and often involved me pulling over at random spots along the side of the road to head off on a photography-fueled adventure.
Since 2020, I’ve definitely grown as a photographer and have continued to enjoy the adventure that is Random Photo Adventure. As the project evolved, I found myself focusing more on sharing my passion for nature and wildlife with others. I started diving deeper into research about the animals and environments I was photographing, and I began sharing some fun facts and insights I learned along the way. The goal now is not only to share my images but also to educate and inspire others to appreciate the natural world in Ontario. This shift has led me to expand the project by adding a newsletter and writing about nature and conservation topics that are important to me.
I’m excited to see where the future and Random Photo Adventure take me. Thank you to everyone who has supported my work over the years. I truly appreciate it. Here’s to continuing the adventure!
Be sure to follow me on social media!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/randomphotoadventure
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/randomphotoadventure
BlueSky: randomphotoadv.bsky.social
Have a tip, story idea, event, or want to appear as a guest column? Get in touch by emailing randomphotoadventure@substack.com
Happy to be apart of some of your random adventures now. 😊