Random Traveller #78 with Tracy from Just in Time Travels

Welcome to round 78 of ‘Meet a Random Traveller’. The series dedicated to bring attention to fantastic people all around the world doing their thing.

Random Traveller 78

Tracy

Who are you?
I’m Tracy, a 21 yr-old photographer currently based in the land of beavers, poutine, and hockey – Canada. I was born in Beijing and lived there for 11 years before relocating to Vancouver, and finally onto Toronto where I now reside. I stumbled into fashion photography at an early age – 17 – and kind of drifted in the industry for a few years. I enjoyed photography but something about the fashion scene didn’t fit me. Then, in 2010, I had the chance to study in Europe for a year. I spent a lot of that year traveling as this was my first time on the continent. That’s when I realized that I could combine my love for photography for my new found passion – traveling. I took the leap and made the official transition to travel photography late 2011.

What’s the deal?
When I started focusing on travel photography exclusively, I realized that I knew no travel photographers. My previous knowledge of modeling agencies, magazine editors, and other photographers in the fashion industry suddenly meant nothing in this new world of travel. I had to start from the beginning, and for me that meant getting involved and warming up to the travel community. So I decided to turn my then personal blog into my now travel blog: Just-In-Time Travels. It’s photo blog where I share photo essays of my destinations and cultural encounters. It’s kind of my way of saying to the travel world: “I want to play too!”

Barcelona

Budapest

Did it come as a shock to those around you to learn of your plans?
I don’t think so. After a year in Europe, it was pretty evident how much fun I was having traveling and documenting my journey in pictures. Actually, my friends and family have been very supportive.

Have you surprised yourself while travelling doing something you never thought you could?
While studying in France, my friends and I had booked a week long trip to Barcelona by train. But the French rail workers ended up going on strike so we had no other choice but to hitch hike. I’m a planner, organizer, and worrier. I travel with expensive photography equipment and hitch hiking in the middle of southern France was something that I absolutely did not think I would do. But my friends and I were left with no other choice. But we got luck. We were picked up by a nice Spanish couple within 5 minutes and the 3 of us sat squished in the back of the couple’s compact car as they drove us across the French border.

Nanjing

St Patrick’s Day – Dublin

Of all the places you’ve been were could you see yourself setting up home most?
Ireland (wow, that answer surprised even myself!) I was there last March for St. Patrick’s day and just loved the young and friendly energy in Dublin. I also loved the Irish coastline and countryside – it has a kind of wild and untamed feel to it. I think it suits me.

What’s the plan?
As far as traveling goes, I just finished a month long trip through China and I’m making my way through Scandinavia this summer. I hope to establish a bigger base for my self as a travel photographer, which is always an ongoing process of getting published, both online and in print. Finally, I’ve started to connect with a lot of other travelers online and hope to meet some of them, you know, in real life, soon.

A big thanks to Tracy for taking part, great to have you.

Be sure to check her out:
Blog: Just in Time Travels
Website: TracyZhang.com
Twitter: @TracyZhangPhoto

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