Today we’d like to introduce you to Whitney Gbur.
Whitney, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I bought my first real camera almost 8 years ago in preparation for a family trip to the Philippines. I always had carried a little digital camera around in my early 20’s to capture my experiences, but this trip was going to be much more important and therefore required a camera upgrade; we were heading to the Philippines to see the culture and country from which my adopted brother came. We had four days to pack in a handful of experiences and people. With such little time, there had to be a way to capture and preserve the experience we were about to embark on.
Fast forward 8 years later and I can confidently say this was one travel experience that really affirmed my desire to see more of the world. I had been immersed in a culture so different from my own that my mind spent the following days processing what I saw, felt, and ate. I was overwhelmed (in the best way) from the chance to be in a place that felt and looked so unfamiliar. Since, my camera has become my eyes to see the world for its beauty. Whether it is walking the streets of Paris, climbing a hidden trail in Iceland, or meeting elephants in Thailand, I want to remember where I’ve been, the people I’ve met, and what I’ve learned.
With a little bit of encouragement from a travel buddy, I signed up for a new Instagram account and began to preserve my favorite moments. While I kept this a secret from my personal world for nearly a year, I finally decided to share my “passion project” with my family and friends. Since then, WhitsWanders has slowly been growing a tribe of others empowered and impassioned by travel. Everyday I have the opportunity to reflect on somewhere I’ve been and how fortunate I am for the life I live. Traveling has made me a better educator, community member, and citizen of the world.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
My work is very simple, I share my travels through photography. When people see my work, I hope one of a few things happen. They either learn about a new place, decide they want to add another destination to their bucket list, find something that inspires them, or they share their knowledge back with me. If I can share a little bit of the joy travel has given me, I’ve done my job.
What do you know now that you wished you had learned earlier?
I have learned so much from fellow travelers and artists. The travel community on social media is an extremely open, supportive, and uplifting group of people all united with the same passion. My advice is reach out, ask questions, and begin to write your bucket list from what you learn. If you keep at it, you will find someone who values your work. Every photography class I take and every new networking contact I’m introduced to continues to grow my vision and direct where I am heading. Don’t be afraid to branch out on your own!
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
All of my work is on Instagram. Not only do I share my photography, but I also blog my experiences. The best way to support me is to give me a follow and let me know when you like something you see! I love learning from others and am happy to interact.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whitswanders/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whitswanders/
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
