This content creator and photographer talks about living life on the road, transitioning from her “normal” job, and how it now pays the bills.
If you would have told Chloe Jade that she would be traveling around the world and getting paid for it, she says she would have never believed it. Although Chloé is an avid traveler and has traveled to 70 countries, it had never been her career.
I “virtually” sat down with Chloe (at @chlooooejade on Instagram) to discuss what she did before, what she does now, and how she transitioned into life as a full-time Content Creator.
“Let’s get started, where are you located and how much of your time is on the road?”
I like to say that I split my time at my home in Napa, California, as well as New York City, but I am on the road 70% of the year. Even during the pandemic when most people were at their homes, I was lucky enough to have been in Bali.
“It seems like there is a large digital nomad population out there. How were you able to get out of the country during the pandemic? Did you not feel like that was irresponsible to some degree?”
I can totally understand how that would seem irresponsible. I actually was already in the Philippines in February 2020. As March continued on and the pandemic seemed to spread through Europe, it got real. My partner and I had to make the very real decision about what to do. We knew that the borders of Indonesia (and Bali) were closing, so we took a COVID test, it came back negative, and we got to Bali on the day that the borders closed. I believe that was March 21, 2020. That ended up being 8 months.
“That makes sense, have you stayed in the U.S since then?”
After coming back to the States I have only done two international press trips (to the Dominican Republic, and the other to the country of Dominica). I am trying to limit my exposure, but now that I am vaccinated I feel more comfortable. Despite this, I have been able to see a lot of the United States and generate income through hotel photography, travel writing, and creating content for brands.
“Sounds like a dream! So then how did you get started as a content creator?”
For years I ran a fitness Instagram. I was lucky to gain a following back in 2013 because it can be difficult to grow now due to the algorithm being a lot different. After a few years, I got sick of basically just showing off my body online. It wasn’t me anymore. I really liked creating content, but I began traveling and stopped posting on social media as often. This was around 2016. Then at the end of 2019, I decided I wanted a creative outlet again. I started posting on my Instagram channel again.
After spending time in Bali I decided to go full time into creating again. This involves creating content for my Instagram channel, but also for brands to use on their own channels or advertising. As I mentioned, I also do hotel photography, but this has developed more over the past 8 months or so.
“So one day you just decided to become a travel creator?”
I mean basically. I had multiple people tell me to literally “just do it.” I was already traveling, and I wanted to make money while doing it. So I guess I just did it.
This is not to say there wasn’t a huge learning curve. I learned a lot more about taking good photos of myself rather than just of other things and people. Photography of other objects is definitely its own art, but taking photos of yourself is actually really difficult. The photos also can’t be selfies. They need to be artistic. Then bring in the timing, the tripod, getting the clothing right, the background looking good, expensive equipment with different lenses, etc. I realized this is not easy. But it has been super worth it.
“What is your advice to anyone else that wants to get into being a travel creator?”
Make good content. I remember someone telling me this before, or reading it somewhere, and it is so true. People do well at being a creator with a varied number of followers. You can have 10k and make a lot of money and work with big brands because you make good content. Focus on your craft and keep learning. I know that I am so far off from being an expert in this field. I am always learning. All I know is that it is definitely working for me, and it can work for you too.
You can preview Chloe Jade’s work on her website chloejade.co or follow her on Instagram: @chlooooejade
