Why I Hired a $12/Hour Photographer While Traveling Solo in Taiwan

By Zach Schleien

Solo travel doesn't have to mean selfies. I hired a local photographer on Upwork for $12/hour in Taiwan - and it was the best travel decision I've ever made.

32,000 steps. 12 hours. One photographer. $144 total. And some of the best travel photos I've ever taken.

This holiday I traveled to Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Japan. For the Taiwan leg, I went solo - and decided to try something different: hiring a local photographer to follow me around for the day.

The Inspiration

My buddy Richard hired a photographer through Airbnb Experiences in Thailand and came back with Instagram-perfect photos. I wanted the same thing, but Airbnb Experiences didn't exist in Taiwan at the time.

I Googled "hire photographer in Taiwan." The prices? Around $200 for a couple of hours. Way out of budget for a full day.

The Upwork Hack

Then it hit me: I use Upwork to hire designers, developers, and lead generators - why not a photographer?

Here's the step-by-step:

1. Post the job - Title: "Hiring a Photographer"
2. Filter by location - Set to Taipei, Taiwan
3. Set your hourly rate - Expect to pay less in Southeast Asia than in the US
4. Invite freelancers - Don't wait for them to find you
5. Ask key questions: Do you expect me to pay for food/transport? What camera do you use? What's your rate for 12 hours? Can you share your portfolio?
6. Pick the best fit

I hired my photographer for $12/hour for 12 hours. She had a full-time job but loved photography as a passion. Win-win: she gets paid and practices her craft; I get a local guide with a camera.

The Day

I sent her my itinerary ahead of time (don't expect your photographer to also be your tour guide unless agreed upon).

9 AM - Breakfast at Fuhang Soy Milk. Rice milk soup and a fried dough egg sandwich. Incredible. She also helped me order since she spoke the language.

Morning - Elephant Trail hike. Photos with Taipei 101 in the background from the summit.

Midday - National Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall. Then lunch at Din Tai Fung - barbecue ribs and soup dumplings.

Afternoon - Portuguese-era alleyways. Local shops, bitter tea on the street (unbearably bitter), a tea egg from 7-Eleven. Then Ximending - like a mini Japan with shops and street vendors. Barbecue pork belly bun. Duck tongue (super crunchy - all bone).

Evening - Ning Xia Night Market. Stinky tofu (you smell the stench from a block away), oyster omelet, fried dumplings, fried chicken, octopus.

End of day - Beers at 7-Eleven. 32,000 steps. Exhausted. Happy.

The Verdict

Beyond the photos, having a local companion made the experience richer - recommendations, translations, and genuine conversation. I'll absolutely hire a photographer again on future solo trips.

This is the kind of creative, scrappy thinking I bring to growth strategy. If you're a founder looking for unconventional approaches to marketing, let's chat.