Austin White is a photographer, videographer, climber, surfer, snowboarder, avid hiker, and dirt road explorer.
He has also been living off and on the road since he was 9 years old when his family ditched the corporate lifestyle and ladders for a life of travel. With his parents, two younger sisters, two dogs, and a cat, he hit the road in a 37ft Winnebago RV for what they thought would be a year. They ended up traveling for close to 10 years and couldn’t get enough of the freedom.
They became the BareNakedFamily and their story continues to be shared. Since then, they’ve each done their own adventures and travels. He is now based in Bend, OR while still traveling around the Pacific Northwest, chasing the things and places that give him inspiration. He lives by the philosophy “the smaller the house, the bigger the backyard” and spends as much time as possible in the great outdoors.
In this interview, Sam chats with Austin about his childhood on the road, how it has influenced his life and photography career, and his advice for other traveling families.
Connect with Austin on his website and on Instagram!
Check out his mom’s book about the BareNakedFamily here!
Some highlights from this episode:
- 1:30 – Life in Bend, Oregon
- 3:30 – Becoming the Barenaked Family
- 9:00 – Advice for roadschooling families
- 12:00 – Biggest takeaways from this lifestyle
- 14:00 – Stories from the road
- 17:30 – Adult life as a roadschooled kid
- 22:00 – Building a photography career with a travel lifestyle
Austin’s advice for traveling families:
Every kid is different. Listen to your kids and let them have a say in life on the road and their education. If they need to be stationary for a while, try slowing down. If they want to go on adventures, travel more. Help them explore the possibilities in life and find their own way.
