Hey! I’m Emma from Where’s Ems? 👋🏼 I’ve been travelling full-time since 2023 while building my freelance writing business. Subscribe to receive weekly conversations with women travelling solo, celebrating the joy, kindness and challenges along the way, and asking the question they’re so often asked: “Aren’t you afraid?”
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Heather Carpenter’s first solo trip started with a photography course in New York City and a simple realisation: if she didn’t go alone, she might not go at all. Since then, solo travel has become a way of life.
In this conversation, Heather talks about van life, why missing out scares her far more than travelling solo ever could, and wraps up by sharing a few tips for taking better travel photos.
Tell us about yourself. Where are you from? What do you do? What are your hobbies?
I was born and raised in South London and I’ve been a photographer for about 6.5 years. Over the past year, I’ve been doing travel and hotel work, but before that, I was mainly shooting product and commercial fashion photography. My hobbies include hiking, running and writing. I tend to spend most of my time either hiking or wandering with my camera. It’s my job, hobby and passion.
What inspired your first solo trip, and where did you go?
My first solo trip was for a photography course in New York City. I had wanted to do the course for a long time and realised that the opportunity was going to pass me by if I didn’t just go and do it, even if it was on my own. I ended up spending five days after the course wandering NYC alone, and I had the time of my life.
How often do you travel solo these days?
It’s kind of a lifestyle now as I travel a lot for work. I also have a campervan and spend my time exploring the UK. Abroad is less frequent, but by the end of 2025, I’ll have done six solo trips abroad!
“I want to live every experience I can and I think it’s important to spread the message that doing it solo is empowering, possible and absolutely still enjoyable.”
I’ve always wanted to give van life a go! How are you finding it?
I love it, I've never felt so free and independent. I can go anywhere I want, whenever I want and still have all my own home comforts. It's exactly what I need and allows me to live more on the minimal side, which is great and stops me from spending so much!
How has travelling solo had a positive impact on your life?
It’s changed my life completely. It’s how I learnt to get to know myself, to trust myself, to love my own company.
I’ve learnt to be completely independent and feel deep gratitude without relying on validation from anyone else. It’s made me a better, more well-rounded person in almost every aspect of my life.
Can you share a challenge you faced while travelling solo, and how you handled it?
I’ve been extremely fortunate not to have faced a challenge yet, really — so if that’s not an encouraging sign, I don’t know what could be! Six trips and nothing has gone wrong (touch wood).
Tell us about a moment of kindness you’ve experienced while travelling alone.
I’ve had plenty! I think the most memorable was probably when a woman paid for my ice cream in Italy for no reason at all!
“I’m a huge advocate for solo travel; it allowed me to understand myself and become a much happier person.”
What advice would you give to someone about to take their first solo trip?
Journal, write down how everything feels and make sure you have a just-in-case contingency plan. For example, if you’re hiring a car, make sure you know what to do if you get a flat tyre, that sort of thing.
Aren’t you afraid?
Of travelling alone? No. I’m more afraid of missing opportunities and experiences by waiting for someone to go with. I’d rather have done everything and done it alone than have done nothing at all.
Before you go…
Where’s the most memorable place you’ve stayed and why?
Ahh, this is hard! Aura Retreat Iceland.
What’s one thing you always pack?
My camera...
What’s the best thing you’ve eaten while travelling?
Sottozero Gelato by Lake Como, wow.
Is there one safety tip you swear by?
Situational awareness — always know a way out or have an excuse to leave.
Do you have a souvenir that always makes you smile?
A puffin charm from Iceland that’s on my journal!
Heather’s 3 tips for taking better travel photos
1. A zoom lens is the best place to start! It’ll give you the most versatility in capturing places and the finer details, too.
2. Use apps like Sun Position to find out what time the sun will look best at the locations you’re visiting.
3. Use an ND (Neutral Density) filter! This is like sunglasses for your camera; it means you’ll have better control over how your images look without worrying about bright daylight.
Want to keep up with Heather’s adventures? Follow her here:
✍🏻 @rovejournal
I’d love to know what you thought of this interview! Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments.
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Thanks for reading!
P.S. If you liked this, you might like:
this was lovely to read ! I recently got back from my own solo travels and I really miss it so it feels good to read about others' experiences and travel with them through your texts 🥳
I enjoyed reading this. I follow Heather's substack and that is actually how I found the article. She takes wonderful photos.