From Doubt to Dream: My Journey as a Freelance Videographer Traveling the World.

For the longest time, the idea of becoming a freelance videographer—especially one who traveled the world—felt like a fantasy reserved for other people. You know the type: bold, wildly creative, with camera bags slung over their shoulders and Instagram feeds that looked like pages torn from a travel magazine. I admired them from afar, convinced I wasn’t cut from the same cloth.

I had a comfortable routine: a steady 9-to-5 editing videos at a corporate firm, weekends reserved for recovery or the occasional creative itch. My camera, the one I bought with big dreams in mind, sat untouched on a shelf—collecting more dust than footage. I told myself I wasn’t ready. I didn’t have the right gear. I didn’t know the right people. I wasn’t good enough.

But deep down, a quiet restlessness brewed. Every time I watched a travel vlog or a beautifully crafted destination video, I felt something stir—not jealousy, but longing. A tug from the part of me that wanted to create, to explore, to live more freely. Still, I told myself: That life isn’t for me.

Until one night, something shifted.

I was scrolling through YouTube when I stumbled on a video from a creator who had left their job to pursue freelancing full-time. Their story wasn’t glamorous or sugarcoated—it was raw and honest. There were challenges, uncertainty, and tough lessons. But there was also freedom. And happiness.

That night, I pulled my old DSLR off the shelf and started shooting again. Simple things—walks around my neighborhood, quiet coffee shops, weekend hikes. I edited short videos and shared them online—not for attention, but to hold myself accountable. And slowly, something incredible began to happen.

People started to notice.

A friend asked if I could film their wedding. Then a local café reached out for a promo video. The work trickled in—small, meaningful steps that built my confidence and, eventually, my portfolio.

Quitting my job wasn’t a movie moment. It was terrifying. But when I finally handed in my resignation, I wasn’t diving in blind. I had a few clients, a growing body of work, and a hunger that wouldn’t let me turn back. With enough savings for three months, I booked a one-way ticket to Lisbon.

I hit the ground running—filming for local businesses, covering events, trading content for hostel stays. I said yes to every opportunity, learned fast, and leaned hard into the unknown. The more I worked, the more I learned. And the more I learned, the more I believed.

Now, two years later, I’ve filmed across five continents. From the neon-lit streets of Tokyo to the golden beaches of Costa Rica, I’ve captured stories that once lived only in my imagination. I’ve met incredible people—clients, creators, and kindred spirits—each adding something to the journey.

It’s not perfect. There are still slow months, missed flights, and gear that breaks mid-shoot. But I’m living the life I once thought was out of reach. I’m a freelance videographer, traveling the world, telling stories through my lens.

And if you’re reading this—sitting on a dream, convinced it’s too far-fetched—I want you to know something:

You don’t need a perfect plan. You don’t need all the answers. You just need to start.

Create something. Share it. Keep showing up. The path reveals itself one step at a time.

Because the biggest thing standing between you and your dream probably isn’t skill, or money, or luck.

It’s the belief that you’re not meant for it.

You are.