Are You An Rv Traveling Photographer?

Loree is! Maybe you can talk to her or send her a private message.

http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/loree-johnson.html

I recently celebrated one year of being a vagabond. I hope to continue for many more. The pros are too many to list, and if you are considering this lifestyle, you undoubtedly are aware of them. So, I will list some of the cons that come to mind.

Slow or non-existent internet connections.
Unexpected break-downs/repairs.(many caused by crumbling roads/infrastructure)
Difficulty finding a place to stay during the busy season.

As far as affording it, well, it's just like any other lifestyle you choose. You have to figure out how much money you have coming in, and what you can afford to spend. I have a small pension that covers my basic needs (food, space rent, gas), and I plan my travels to fit within that budget. Photography sales are not part of the budget, but are my "fun money," which allows me to buy things like new lenses, a new tripod, etc. I live a pretty sparse life without much extravagance. I only buy new clothes or shoes when needed, I hardly ever eat out, and I travel slowly. Meaning I stay in one place usually a week to a month. Not only does that cut down the gas expense, but many RV parks offer discounts for weekly or monthly stays. I've met many people who are full time RVers, and there are as many ways to finance the lifestyle as there are people doing it. Some work full time in construction, energy, or health care and follow the work. Some do camp hosting and get their rent in exchange for part time work. Some have online businesses they can do from anywhere as long as they have an internet connection. And yes, some are independently wealthy, lol.

There are many online forums and facebook pages dedicated to the RV lifestyle. RV.net comes to mind and RV Tips facebook group. Both are a wealth of information.

I recently posted in my blog regarding my one year experiences. You can also peruse my other posts for some "along the way" stuff. http://www.loreejohnson.com/?p=1375

Feel free to PM me if you have specific questions or want more detailed information.

I have not done it, but would love to! I've been reading Loree's posts throughout her year and I am inspired...just not in a place where it's something I can do just yet.

I should add that it took four years from the time I had the inkling, and two years of serious planning before I hit the road.

Traveling sounds like fun, do you stay in the warmer states in the winter?

I'm not a full timer, but I have an RV. Volunteering will get you a free spot a month at a time in most state/national parks. Many prefer you stay a whole season.
Ive done the volunteer park interpretator gig, living in the park and doing photo workshops.
Most of them, many resorts tto, have park host spots - free spot for 24-30 hours work a week.

invite you all :)

Many fulltimers I've met go to places like Southern California or Arizona during the winter. Not my cup of tea, but I do try to avoid heavy snow and below freezing temps. I spent most of last winter on the Oregon/Northern California coast. Lots of rain, but no snow and very rarely below freezing. My plan is to do the same this winter, hitting some of the places I missed last year.

Once you park your RV how do you get around? Do you also tow a car?

Yes, I tow my car.

I am so Jealous of Loree. I often dream my husband will leave me so I can sell the house and roam the open roads. I get so tired of being in the same place all of the time,

Thanks Loree for your insights. I have been toying with the idea for some time now but can't financially do it yet. I'm glad to hear how you planned for it. Good information in your post. I read your blog and was green with envy =) Do you find you use the towed vehicle enough to make it worthwhile to tow along? Grateful for the cons you list. Thank you!

@Alicia - too funny....you might want to hang on to him tho.

Who needs an RV? I've been living out of and in my Subaru Outback for more than 5 years. Every national park in the lower 48 and now working through Canada.

Living on print sales a bit of affiliate marketing income and savings.

@Adam, I love that you live in your surbaru. I don't think I could do that. I'm at the age of needing a bed and a toilet, lol. The kitchen is nice to have, too. But, we all have our style, and I admire yours. In some ways I wish I would have done it younger. Live your dream.

@Fran, absolutely! Life would be very dull without my car. You can almost NEVER park your rv in a place where you want to photograph. It's so much simpler and cheaper to explore places in my car. It allows me to park 20, 30, 40 miles away, which is generally much less expensive. Then I go on day trips.

Edit to add: I have to tell you that some of the best places I've found are not "destinations." Wherever you land, ask the locals what's good to photograph, and then Google what they tell you. There are some amazing places in this country that no one, or few people, know about. Like this waterfall:

It's certainly a bit rough at times but being able to (often) park right where you want to be in the morning is awesome and saves a ton of gas and camping fees.

State parks fill in for showers and sometimes the national parks. When a rest is really needed, I usually try to time that with a hostel location or somewhere with dirt cheap hotels.

If I had the cash, sometimes an RV would be nice but with just the car everything is so much more flexible.

Had I known I'd be on the road this long I probably would have looked into some sort of van type thing although I'm not sure there really is anything like that that would be suitable for driving the back roads of Utah.

Adam, that's impressive that you can do that. I'm like Loree, needy of some comforts, or so I think lol. I'm also thinking a camper van. Smaller than one of those mid-sized RV's and a little more comfortable than say a Subaru, maybe.

I think either a camper van type thing or a pickup with a camper that fits on the back of the truck and goes up over the cab might be the best mix of comfort, flexibility and cost especially if you move around a lot. Unless I'm in a national or state park or hostel I hardly ever pay to spend the night anywhere. Once you get to know the national parks you also know where the park boundaries are so you camp or sleep just outside the park on BLM or Forest Service land and usually do that for free.

If you tend to stay somewhere for a month at a time then the RV may start to become more economical if you are towing a car but it might come out to be able the same as a monthly apartment rental or long term hotel stay for a month or so. There are so many different ways to slice it and so many options trying to balance comfort, flexibility and cost.

Had there been any real plan when I started I probably would have moved much more slowly and stayed places longer instead of going to Zion probably 10 times when criss-crossing the country it probably would have been once or twice for extended periods of time.

Adam, Loree - your photographs are gorgeous! Truly beautiful work.

I'm going to start laying out a plan to hopefully implement in two years or sooner if possible. You both are an inspiration. thank you and safe travels!

Thanks Fran! Hope it all comes together. Once you come up with a budget, add 20-30% for the unexpected! It always seems to come out that way.

A budget includes income and expenses. Not much information here on the income side.

I suggest getting your business of selling artwork and stock going before hitting the road. Work on other angles too - travel writing, blogging, artist in residences etc.

Good advice Edward - duly noted. Thanks

Best wishes Fran, and thank you for the kind words!

My ideal set up would be a newer (nicer) motorhome and a 4WD tow vehicle. But, I make due with what I have and I'm extremely grateful to have the opportunity to live this way. I could have worked a few years longer and saved more money to get those things, but then I would still be in a cubicle dreaming instead of actually doing it!

As I said, feel free to message me with any questions that come up during your planning process. Hope to see you on the road one of these days!