"Often, the unexpected turns out better than what I had in mind," reveals outdoor photographer Courtney Victoria

My journey began during my fine art degree at Aberystwyth University in 2009, where I discovered the magic of processing negatives and developing my own images in a darkroom. It wasn’t until 2016 that my love for landscape photography emerged, while I was living in South Korea – the country’s rich history and intriguing landscapes inspired me to capture its beauty. I took a few courses to grasp manual shooting but most of my skills have been honed through hands-on practice and trial and error. Photography is a never-ending adventure and I am still learning every day.

There is something incredibly freeing and fulfilling in immersing myself in the solitude of nature and capturing wild environments. When I’m shooting for fun, you’ll find me wandering off the beaten path, deep into woodlands or hiking national parks. Wherever I go, I’m always looking for character and I find that you don’t need to travel far to find uniqueness; sometimes, it is right there in the small, overlooked details.

While many YouTube ‘How to’ guides will focus on cracking algorithms with catchy titles and eye-catching thumbnail pictures, I’m more interested in diving into something deeper – the motivation behind the camera. YouTube is a playground for creative freedom and my talk will address the challenges of sharing your artistic vision with the world and how to make the most of it. I’ll share my ups and downs, my mistakes and ‘a-ha’ moments to help others navigate their own journey.

My journey so far has been a mix of challenging and rewarding experiences. Creating engaging videos can take a lot of effort, but there is nothing quite like the thrill of seeing it all click into place. What’s most fulfilling, though, are the connections I’ve formed with like-minded people around the world and sharing stories that resonate. 

On the business side of YouTube, it has been interesting navigating a field without a map or a manual. Monetizing your passion can be a risky venture – juggling your creative authenticity with the need to pay the bills. Of course, there have been a few bumps along the road, but they have also paved the way for some incredible opportunities.

The feedback I get from viewers is always encouraging and it’s good to hear that my passion shines through in my videos. While I don’t focus on teaching photography directly, despite having a teaching background, I prefer to share my personal thoughts and experiments. We all see and think and become inspired differently. If I can spark someone else’s creativity or help them grow their skills, then it’s rewarding to think that I’ve been a part of their journey. I like to think I’ve encouraged a few more photographers to get out and explore the world of fungi, though.

I’ll admit that perfectionism often sneaks into my creativity, but I’ve learned to stay flexible and keep an open mind when things don’t go to plan. Quite often, the unexpected turns out better than what I originally had in mind; however, I am also OK with walking away empty-handed. Some days, the magic simply doesn’t happen and that’s fine. I’ve found that the mindset I have on a shoot impacts my creativity greatly, so staying calm, curious and positive helps me create the results I’m after.