What Is a Photowalk ?
A photowalk is simply a walk with a camera.
Sometimes it's a familiar loop; other times it's just following paths as they appear. Some walks are planned, others aren't. Both are fine.
Photography fits easily alongside walking because it gives the walk a loose purpose without turning it into a task. You walk, you stop when you want to, you take a photograph if something holds your attention, and then you carry on. Nothing more complicated than that.
It doesn't matter what camera you use. A phone, a compact, or a larger camera all work. For me personally, I prefer using a dedicated camera — not because it's necessarily better; after all, the best camera you have is the one you have with you. It's simply that I've never got on with using a phone as my camera, plus I prefer the tactile feeling of buttons and dials.
Why I Enjoy Them
Most of my photowalks are local, and almost always with Elvis along for the walk. He sets a good pace — interested in everything, never rushing — unless a squirrel crosses his path. Occasionally I manage to persuade my girlfriend to come too, usually with the promise of a pub lunch at the end.
What matters to me more is being outside, walking at a comfortable pace, and letting the walk unfold without pressure. It's a great way to relax and unwind, breathe in fresh air, immerse yourself in the sights and smells of the countryside, and ignore what else is happening at home or in the rest of the world.
Around Buckinghamshire and the Chiltern Hills where I live, there's no shortage of places that suit this kind of walking — paths, tracks, villages, and stretches of countryside that reward time rather than effort.
Keeping It Simple
You don't need much gear for a photowalk.
Comfortable footwear matters most. A lightweight waterproof, a few layers you can adjust, and a small bag for water, snacks, and a camera are usually enough. If the walk is longer or unfamiliar, a map is useful — even if it stays folded.
The only time this changes is if I'm out on a proper day hike, when my kit changes depending on where I'm going, what the weather is doing, and how long I'll be out. Check out [THIS blog] if you'd like to know more.
Walking With a Camera
A photowalk isn't about productivity or outcomes. Some walks end with photographs worth keeping; others don't. If you're reading this as a beginner photographer, it's important to realise early on that not every walk or trip will produce a memory card or film reel full of keepers. Some days — like my last walk, for instance — I never took the camera out of my bag, which is why there are no images in this blog. Just so you know, it's not an uncommon situation; you will have days like that, for whatever reason.
For me, the walk comes first. The camera is just there, carried rather than used, brought out when it makes sense and left alone when it doesn't. Nothing needs to be forced, planned, or justified — but yes, I do still take my photography seriously.
A photowalk is simply walking, with the option of making photographs along the way — and not forgetting to enjoy yourself in the midst of the mad world we live in.