Kate, the creator behind Kate Ventures Outdoors, has built a following by sharing long-form YouTube videos of her solo outdoor and overlanding adventures. In this interview, she talks about what makes adventure content resonate, how she balances filming with experiencing the moment, the gear she relies on, and her advice for newcomers.
What Makes Adventure Videos Connect
For Kate, connection starts with being real. "Every creator has a different approach, but I think being authentic and true to yourself is key. Talking to the audience and being yourself goes a long way." She also notes that viewers often appreciate her content because it's budget-friendly and accessible, a contrast to more expensive builds. To immerse her audience, she films the small details around her—"the textures on a plant, sound of the wind, colors of a sunset, and so on."
Filming Solo Without Losing the Joy
Solo trips present a unique challenge: keeping the experience genuine while capturing it. Kate's priority is clear. "One of my fears is that filming will start to take away from the joy of the adventure, and I no longer will enjoy making videos. So a big priority of mine while filming is to focus on my own experience first, and place filming second." She admits she'll stop the car for a driving shot, but the payoff is worth it: "Watching it back after filming and having the memories is always a reward."
Her storytelling is often unplanned. "Most of the time, I go into filming with no story whatsoever, but as I start to film, the story starts being drawn up in my head." She keeps her videos vlog-style and close to reality, building narratives from themes she reflects on throughout the day. For her occasional short films, the approach is entirely different—scripted and deliberate.
Gear That Works on the Trail
Kate's kit balances quality with portability. Her workhorse is a Sony A7IV, paired with a Tamron zoom lens that's lighter for hiking. For audio, she recently switched from a Rode Videomic NTG to a DJI Mic Mini. A GoPro is essential for active moments. This setup lets her capture vlogging shots, landscapes, and wildlife without weighing her down.
Advice for Aspiring Creators
Kate's top tip for newcomers is simple: "Be authentic and consistent!" She points out that some big creators use only an iPhone and natural light, editing on their phones. "You don't need fancy gear unless you want to have a more cinematic approach." She encourages learning from others but staying in your own lane. "I have always tried to stay in my own lane and stay true in my own approach rather than copy another creator's." Growth may be slow, but "it always will eventually if you keep persevering. The key is to be consistent. Find a way to make creating fun, so that it becomes easy to post regularly." For outdoor content specifically, she highlights the value of educational videos, reminding creators to fact-check before posting.
Working with Brands Authentically
Kate is selective about brand partnerships. "I find it important to promote products and services that I genuinely support and use myself." She values creative freedom and works with brands that allow her to maintain it. "Having that creative freedom lets me find fun new ways to be myself on camera, as well as push my boundaries a bit and try new camera shots, narrations, editing, and so on." This approach keeps her content genuine and her audience trusting.
For more on outdoor content creation, you can explore resources on solo travel filmmaking or tips for overlanding videography. Kate's work is a reminder that the best adventure videos come from a place of honesty and joy.
This interview was conducted via email and has been edited for clarity.