You are the explorer of your own journey. From your own discovery you can then capture, edit, and share it from a new perspective.
Face the Current: Yes we can escape “the 9-5” and live our life by design! How and why you did, is it for everyone, and why might you recommend the ‘escape?’
Paris Verra: Yes we can escape the “9-5” and live our life by design. This life is for those who seek freedom, happiness, and life changing experiences with life long rewards. However, I don’t recommend it to people that want consistency, comfortability or those not willing to work hard, seeking fast, consistent, large amounts of money or fame.
If money were no object what would you do? – Alan Watts
Turks and Caicos. Credit: Danny McGee
I grew up in a small town in Illinois where the “social norm” is growing up and going to college to ultimately work a 9-5. Although I got into every big university that I applied to, working hard to follow this “road to success,” I could not justify any amount of loans, time, or money worth learning something I was not passionate about. I saw wealthy, successful families that lived unhappy. I realized no amount of schooling or money would define success or happiness. This is where I love the quote by Alan Watts, “If money were no object what would you do?”
So I dropped out of college, pushed my comfort zone, and road tripped in my crappy car to Los Angeles, California. I chased the sunshine, happiness, new opportunities, and a town where no one knew my name. Through this journey I fell in love with road trips, new sceneries, like-minded friends, traveling, and in return I wanted to share this beauty in life that I had found. I started spending my money on experiences over things, grabbed my iPhone and began sharing these moments on Instagram. With lots of time and work, my hobby turned into a career. There is not one road to success so don’t let the idea of change scare you as much as likelihood of remaining unhappy. When people ask “how do you do what you do”, the only thing I can say is that I started doing what made me happy, what I love and the rest came after that.
Muscat, Oman
FtC: Yes we can do storytelling differently: How has social media and technology have opened up a whole new world of sharing our stories and creative expression to a global community?
Paris Verra: Yes we can do storytelling differently. The power of social media is absolutely incredible. Through many free platforms we are able to completely envision, create, and share our own unique stories. Personally, my favorite way to share my stories is through my own perspective with editing tools.
If 10 photographers were brought to capture the same exact subject, each and every photo would look different and express a completely different feeling than the other. Although it is the same subject or shot, it is the perspective and edit that allows for this unique story. I have always loved creating and designing, and I love being able to use that skill in my work. Through editing each and every photo and video I am able to share my vision and story through my own perspective. This is what sets us apart and allows us to stand out in a saturated community.
Petra, Jordan: My new perspective on a famously photographed destination.
FtC: Yes we can be explorers, even in this modern day where “everything has already been discovered.” Do you believe the definition of “explorer” has changed and do you consider yourself an ‘explorer?’
Paris Verra: Yes we can be explorers, even in this modern day where “everything has already been discovered or seen” through mass sharing online. Scientifically, most everything has been discovered, and socially everything has been seen; but have you discovered everything in you? Have you opened your eyes and mind to explore it yourself? New places offer new experiences, culture, and environments; something a photo online can’t show.
Cinque Terre, Italy
I don’t believe the definition of explorer has changed because although every destination has been found before, you yourself took the struggle, hike, or flight to discover it and see it yourself. You are the explorer of your own journey. From your own discovery you can then capture, edit, and share it from a new perspective. This is why I consider myself not only a traveler, but also an explorer. We see the same photo hundreds of times but we don’t see the journey of that picture until we explore it ourselves.
More Info:
Paris Verra: www.parisverra.com
Where I call home: the road
Instagram: @parisverra
♦ This interview was originally published in Issue 21 of Face the Current Magazine, featured on pages 24-27. Order a print copy or subscribe to print at our SHOP.