Influencer Editorial Team
Gayathri Pandalai is proof that it’s never too late to turn a lifelong passion into a thriving creative career. After spending 30 years as a publishing and social media manager for a scientific publication company, Gayathri decided it was time to follow her heart and her camera.
In March 2024, she launched her Photowalking YouTube channel, a unique platform blending walking explorations with the art of photography. Unlike typical travel vlogs, Gayathri’s work focuses on capturing the world in motion—from the natural beauty of landscapes and seasonal changes to the energy of urban streets, striking architecture, and candid human moments.
What began on her old iPhone 6 Plus quickly evolved into a polished, professional production after she pursued formal courses in photography and digital media. Within a year, her channel skyrocketed to 659,000 subscribers, earning her the YouTube Silver Play Button in October 2024, an emotional milestone that validated her leap into the creative world. Today, Gayathri is not just a YouTuber but also a pioneer in her genre. She was the first to publish a scholarly journal article on Photowalking YouTube channels in the International Journal of Scientific Research and Management (IJSRM), helping define and legitimize the field.
What type of content do you specialize in creating, and what core themes drive your work?
Gayathri Pandalai:
I’m into Photowalking YouTube videos, a blend of photography through walking while exploring an area. My photo walks capture the natural beauty of landscapes, urban environments like city streets, architecture, and candid moments of people. I also love documenting seasonal changes. Each walk is both a personal journey and an invitation for viewers to slow down and really see the world around them.
How do you measure the success of your content?
Gayathri Pandalai:
Definitely through the number of views, likes, and comments, they keep me motivated to do more and better in future videos. But I never just repeat what’s worked before. For example, if a video exploring the Seattle Art Museum gets great engagement, I won’t upload another art museum video for at least a month, and when I do, I make sure it’s presented in a fresh way so the audience doesn’t feel fatigued.
My goal is to make sure viewers are always surprised, engaged, and inspired without realizing I’m deliberately mixing it up. So far, I am very much contented with the response I received, and I’m glad that I have raised awareness about the genre of Photo walking. I was the first person to even publish a journal about Photowalking YouTube channels in IJSRM. I also think it’s important to do what you love & your age doesn’t matter in exploring something you’ve always wanted to do. If there is sincerity and hard work, your passion will be rewarded.
About Gayathri Pandalai
With a thriving YouTube audience, a pioneering academic contribution to the field of Photowalking, and a rapidly growing creative brand, Gayathri Pandalai is redefining what it means to be a travel content creator. Her work proves that curiosity, artistry, and perseverance can transform a hobby into a global platform, at any stage of life.
“Sky is the limit, never hesitate to dream big!”
Links:
📹 YouTube: @gayathripandalai885
📸 Instagram: @gayathri_pandalai
