When most people think of an Instagram travel blogger, they picture luxury holidays, picturesque snaps, flowing dresses and immaculate fashion.
But Australian blogger Dana Williamson, aka Wandering Donut, has turned the stereotype on its head with her ‘perfectly imperfect’ and ‘awkwardly relatable’ image.
The 19-year-old, who is known for stunningly beautiful and colourful travel snapshots and mouthwatering doughnut photos has been blogging regularly over the past two years and hopes to turn her passion into a full-time career.
Australian blogger Dana Williamson, aka Wandering Donut , has turned the travel blogger stereotype on its head with her ‘perfectly imperfect’ and ‘awkwardly relatable’ image
The 19-year-old, who is known for stunningly beautiful and colourful travel snapshots and mouthwatering doughnut photos has been blogging regularly over the past two years and hopes to turn her passion into a full-time career
And with an impressive 22,500 followers under her belt and sponsor opportunities flooding in, there’s no doubt she will
And with an impressive 22,500 followers under her belt and sponsor opportunities flooding in, there’s no doubt she will.
‘I went on my first overseas trip with my family when I was eight and I just absolutely fell in love with travel and knew I wanted to do it for a living,’ Dana told FEMAIL.
‘We went on lots of amazing trips as I grew up and when I discovered the world of blogging and Instagram in 2015 I started up my page and then really got stuck into it in January this year.
‘I went on my first overseas trip with my family when I was eight and I just absolutely fell in love with travel and knew I wanted to do it for a living,’ Dana told FEMAIL
Dana, who has travelled to an impressive 26 countries and will head to Indonesia in a number of weeks, said that while she adores doughnuts, the name of her blog was inspired by her nickname
With the Internet filled with single female travellers and luxury travel couples, I just never felt like I belonged.
‘Beforehand I was studying tourism and event management as I knew those two things would allow me to travel for a living.’
Dana, who has travelled to an impressive 26 countries and will head to Indonesia in the coming weeks, said she adores doughnuts but the name of her blog was inspired by her nickname.
‘It is the name given to me by my family and best friend, I can only assume because I started to look like a donut after eating so many,’ she explained on her blog.
‘Then as Donut I began to wander with no intention of stopping and in late 2015, voilà, the Wandering Donut was up and running on the World Wide Web,’ she said
Dana says she has the unique talent of finding doughnuts no matter where she is in the world
‘Then as Donut I began to wander with no intention of stopping and in late 2015, voilà, the Wandering Donut was up and running on the World Wide Web.
‘Plus, there are so many basic travel blogs out there and for my very own magical creation I wanted to be so much more! What better way to do that with something that is so irresistibly delicious!
‘Seriously, who doesn’t love a good donut or two… dozen!’
Dana, who works casually in events in between her getaways, is overwhelmed by the travel opportunities her blogging has brought her.
Dana, who works casually in events in between her getaways, is overwhelmed by the travel opportunities her blogging has brought her
‘Plus, there are so many basic travel blogs out there and for my very own magical creation I wanted to be so much more! What better way to do that with something that is so irresistibly delicious!’ She said
This year alone, she was flown to the Philippines as part of a tourism campaign, was flown to New Zealand for a road trip as part of a juice campaign
I’m too awkward to be glamorous and prefer sweatpants to ball gowns and donuts to fine dining.
This year alone, she was flown to the Philippines as part of a tourism campaign, was flown to New Zealand for a road trip as part of a juice campaign.
‘I feel so lucky as a teen to be able to do all of this because there are so many talented and amazing bloggers out there – it’s crazy how it’s all taken off,’ Dana said.
‘I think partly its because I am different to the norm – I eat a lot of doughnuts so you won’t see me promoting skinny tea anytime soon and I think I am quite relatable.
‘I think partly is because I am different to the norm – I eat a lot of doughnuts so you won’t see me promoting skinny tea anytime soon and I think I am quite relatable,’ she said
When it comes to editing, Dana said she ‘spends more time than I’d like to admit’ putting together the perfect snap
‘This doesn’t mean I don’t edit my photos or go to luxury places because I do, but I also know that I will always stay true to myself and there will always be photos of me hanging off rocks, posing weirdly in front of my tripod or floating around on giant doughnuts!’
When it comes to editing, Dana said she ‘spends more time than I’d like to admit’ putting together the perfect snap.
‘People don’t realise how much effort goes into different pictures, they think it’s just a filter,’ she said.
‘Lightroom is my favourite editing program to use but I am still learning and am spending time creating presets and things.
‘Lightroom is my favourite editing program to use but I am still learning and am spending time creating presets and things,’ she said
Dana, who has gone on several solo trips and regularly has friends or her dad take her Instagram photos, also pens thoughts and tips on her blog and recently explained why she believes she stands out from the crowd
‘Sometimes it is easy but when you want your feed to match properly then you need to spend some more time.’
Dana, who has gone on several solo trips and regularly has friends or her dad take her Instagram photos, also pens thoughts and tips on her blog and recently explained why she believes she stands out from the crowd.
‘Not only did I want to be more than your average travel blog, I want this to be your escape from the miserable things that seem to clutter our newsfeeds and often our life,’ she said.
‘The point is I am just a female traveller with a sprinkle of donuts and whether you are exactly the same or even a little different I want you to feel welcome,’ she said
‘With the Internet filled with single female travellers and luxury travel couples, I just never felt like I belonged.
‘After all I’m too awkward to be glamorous, prefer sweatpants to ball gowns, donuts to fine dining and while the #instagirls gracefully float around the infinity pool on an inflatable swan I am more likely to be clumsily draped over a blow up donut with my butt in the air and head under water.
‘The point is I am just a female traveller with a sprinkle of donuts and whether you are exactly the same or even a little different I want you to feel welcome.’