Even one small action that you can take, if everybody did that one small action, that is a huge amount of difference that you can make.
Fiona Mclean
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Fiona McLean’s incredible story is one of resilience, rediscovery, and commitment to making meaningful change. After burning out from a decade-long career in sustainable urban transport, Fiona found herself at a crossroads, searching for fulfillment and a new sense of purpose.
From this pivotal moment, she reignited an old passion for photography and transformed it into a powerful creative outlet. Today, she is not just a travel and landscape photographer but also a dedicated hiking guide and advocate for empowering women to connect with nature and themselves.
Fiona’s work bridges the beauty of outdoor exploration with the message of environmental preservation. Through photography and guiding, she creates spaces for others to develop confidence in their skills, connect with wild landscapes, and capture fleeting moments of beauty that resonate long after they’re photographed. Her story calls for finding balance, following passions, and encouraging others to take steps toward a more fulfilling and impactful life.
Here are three key takeaways from our conversation:
- Fiona recounts how taking a leap of faith led her to combine her love for the outdoors with her creative ambitions, building a life centered around photography and guiding.
- She shares how providing accessible opportunities for women through workshops and hikes can spark new passions and connections to the natural world.
- Fiona reminds us of the importance of small daily actions, whether through conservation efforts or personal growth, in making a bigger collective impact.
Join us for this episode as Fiona reflects on her personal and professional evolution, her dedication to helping others see and protect the beauty around them, and the life-changing power of revisiting your passions. Enjoy the conversation!
Q: You’re a travel and landscape photographer, a hiking guide, and you also run social media accounts. How do you balance it all?
Fiona: That’s a very good question. Over the past couple of years, I’ve realized I haven’t had the best work-life balance. I left my previous career due to burnout, and when I started working for myself, I thought I’d have all this free time. But that’s not the case at all. I’m now trying to focus on creating more balance, making time for the things that bring me joy, like hiking and photography for myself, not just for work.
Q: What drew you back to photography after stepping away from it for so long?
Fiona: I had been working in a toxic environment and was completely burnt out. I came back to Canada and started reflecting on what was important to me. I thought, ‘How can I get paid to travel, be in the outdoors, and take pictures?’ Photography had always been a passion of mine, and I didn’t want to look back one day and regret not pursuing it. So, I decided to give it a real shot.
Q: What do you hope to achieve through your workshops and guiding, especially for women?
Fiona: I want to create a safe and supportive space where women can build confidence in their skills, whether it’s hiking, photography, or just being in the outdoors. Many women feel hesitant to go out alone due to safety concerns or lack of experience. By providing guidance and opportunities, I hope to empower them to explore, connect with nature, and discover their own strengths.
Key Links and Mentions From the Episode
People Mentioned
Eugene Theron – A close friend of Fiona’s and fellow photographer who initially connected her with Perrin for the podcast interview.
Lisa Connor – A wildlife photographer and friend of Fiona’s known for her exceptionalwildlife shots and grounded approach.
Tools & Gear
DJI Mini 3 Pro – Fiona’s current favorite drone, praised for its portability and obstacle avoidance features that enhance her travel and landscape photography.
Mavic Pro – Fiona’s earlier drone, which first sparked her love for capturing abstract aerial imagery.
Projects & Opportunities
Scotland Hikes – Fiona’s guiding service offering hiking and wellness experiences, with a focus on empowering women through outdoor activities.
Women’s Monroe Hiking Program – A Scotland-based program run by Fiona, helping women develop confidence and navigation skills while exploring Scotland’s highest peaks, called Monroes.
Canada Photo Lovers – An Instagram community co-managed by Fiona that showcases the beauty of Canada while promoting ethical photography practices.
Women Photographers of Canada – A platform co-founded by Fiona that highlights the work of female photographers across Canada and addresses the barriers women face in the industry.
Places and Locations
Scotland – Fiona’s part-time home and the base for her hiking and photography endeavors, known for its rugged landscapes and rich history.
Vancouver Island, Canada – A place Fiona frequently visits and photographs, capturing its waterfalls, forests, and coastal beauty.
The Rockies, Canada – An inspirational location for Fiona’s drone photography, where she captures the unique textures of snow-covered forests.
Key Themes Discussed
Work-Life Balance – Fiona’s ongoing effort to balance her passion for photography and guiding with personal downtime and creative rejuvenation.
Empowering Women Through Outdoors – Fiona’s dedication to providing safe and supportive opportunities for women in hiking and photography to build confidence and connect with nature.
Environmental Awareness – Using her work to encourage appreciation of natural beauty and promote conservation through education and ethical practices.
Creativity Through Aerial Photography – The abstract and exciting perspectives drones bring to landscape photography, influencing Fiona’s creative approach across all mediums.
The Power of Small Actions – Fiona’s belief that individual efforts, no matter how small, collectively create meaningful change in both conservation and personal growth.
