Snapshot: Photographer Thu Tran

Thu Tran – 2TPhoto.com

About Snapshots – In this ongoing series we profile travel junkies, location-independent entrepreneurs and one bag-living practitioners who have made efficient travel a way of life.

What’s one place you can’t wait to get to?

I would really love to do a camping/road trip in Iceland. It seems so beautiful and lush. That’d be a photographer and adventurers’ dream! Like Turkey and Croatia…. Oh and Ecuador…

Did I mention Jordan? So many places…!

What couldn’t you live without on the road?

Two things:

Chacos -Comfortable, multipurpose, sturdy footwear.

iPhone – tunes and quick camera all in one pretty package.

Guilty Pleasures: what do you hate to carry but still take with you?

My 70-200mm 2.8 lens that weighs as much as an infant. I take 2 other lenses with me as well, but that one is a bitch to lug around.

Thu Tran – 2TPhoto.com

How did you get started with photography?

On the High School newspaper. I was the photographer and photo editor… years later travel re-instilled my love for capturing memories… because otherwise I would forget everything I’ve experienced!

When you’re working from the road or editing reams of photos do you have a secret productivity enhancing weapon?

When I need a boost of energy, I’ll stop, drop, and handstand for a few minutes against a wall or just practice static handstands. Its a rush of blood to the head and offers a bit of blood flow and energy when I need it.

ThuTran – 2TPhoto.com

What’s the most challenging thing about what you do?

Editing, traveling, photographing, adventuring – That’sall fun.

But coming back to reality is always an emotional and psychological buzzkill. Realizing that I need to sift through thousands and thousands of images is a daunting task, especially when other shoots are compounded on top of that. It’s like a never ending list of things to do. I can’t complain – because every time I do get to edit those photos its like reliving an entire trip – but I can’t deny that I feel like I’m on a hamster wheel.

How do you blow off steam/deal with pressure?

Yoga. I just started slack lining and running too. I’m slowly learning that I can control and harness how I feel about pressure and stressful situations. Those activities really help me silence unnecessary thoughts and control my breathing, which in turn allows me to control my focus on what is important and what is not. Not to mention, planning runs and yoga dates with other people a few times during the week holds me accountable and forces me to step away from my computer.

How do you celebrate the highs?

Trips! After a busy wedding season, I usually leave every year forabout 6-8 weeks to travel and explore. It helps me decompress and it also invigorates my creativity and my passion for photography.

What’s been your greatest accomplishment so far?

Living for me. I feel like an ass saying that, but knowing that I don’thave to answer to anyone, I can get up and leave for a 6 week trip if I want, I’m not a slave to ‘the man’ and my efforts benefit me and my clients – and not some huge corporation – is my greatest accomplishment.

Photographer, adventurer, handstand…er? Thu makes us want to pull outthe old Nikon and get out on the road.

Thanks Thu!