282: How Travel Photography Can Connect You to Humans Outside (Lola Akinmade Åkerström, travel photographer)
How Travel Photography Can Connect You to Humans Outside (Lola Akinmade Åkerström, travel photographer)
We spend a lot of time talking about the act, art and benefits of connecting with nature. But what about connecting with the humans who live on the land? What about seeing and being seen no matter where you are or what kind of nature you call home?
Travel photographer Lola Akinmade Åkerström has made a career of creating connections with the landscape, land and culture through portraiture of humans around the world. Born in Nigeria and now living in Sweden, Lola has a deep understanding of connecting with other humans because of the way she shares their experiences.
In this episode Lola talks about what she has personally learned through travel photography, what it’s like to make excellent portraits around the world and how you can find those same connections, too. Listen now.
Connect with this episode:
Visit Lola Akinmade Åkerström’s website
Join the Humans Outside Challenge
Follow Humans Outside on Instagram
Follow Humans Outside on Facebook
Some of the good stuff:
[3:16] How Lola Akinmade Åkerström became someone who likes to go outside
[4:04] Lola’s outdoor story
[8:21] The kinds of photos Lola loves to make
[10:59] Lola’s books
[13:00] Life as a GIS scientist and how it translates to travel
[15:58] Her country tally and why it doesn’t matter
[17:58] The meaninglessness of borders and the importance of humans
[21:07] Why the connection of humans to seasons matters
[26:27] How she’s learned about people and culture
[28:45] How you can lean into that cultural connection
[30:43] What the shame cycle has to do with it
[33:31] The barriers, access and connection brought by being a Black woman
[37:30] Lola’s favorite outdoor moment
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