Alexandre Rouleau, better known on Instagram as @adrift.vision, has an artistic journey fueled by curiosity, travel, and a profound love for capturing unplanned moments. Long before photography took center stage in his life, Rouleau was involved in content creation—so much so that he even launched a YouTube road trip series before it was the "cool" thing to do. "That got cut short by an unexpected event in southern Mexico," he recalls, hinting at the untold adventures that shaped his early creative pursuits.

With the pause of the pandemic, Rouleau found himself ready to return to his creative roots. “By the end of the COVID days, I was ready to jump back in,” he says, and by December 2022, a trip to Japan with his Sony A6500 rekindled his passion fully. "It clicked—I was hooked again!”.

Rouleau’s approach to photography is grounded in a blend of spontaneity and a touch of pre-shoot planning. "Since I travel a lot, most of my travel and street shoots happen as I explore a place for the first time," he explains. When arriving somewhere new, he starts with research to discover standout spots—whether they’re local cultural hubs, hidden alleys, or unique neighborhoods with interesting characters. "I need a story to tell," with a mental map and a few spots saved on Google Maps, Rouleau heads out, letting his eye wander. He’ll keep a “flexible shot list” in mind, just enough to make sure he captures the essential moments without over-planning.

His true creative passion lies in street photography. "Street photography, 100%!" he shares enthusiastically, reflecting on what draws him to this genre. While it brings the challenge of photographing strangers, he’s found ways to embrace the thrill of it. "There are so many challenges—like getting past that initial fear of photographing strangers without permission,” he explains. “But capturing raw, real moments is what makes it so compelling.” Rouleau sometimes even approaches people directly, which has led to unexpected connections. “There’s no planning that guarantees the best shot; you just have to go out, shoot, and let the unexpected surprise you,” he says, describing the excitement of discovering a perfect moment on the go.

Rouleau’s creative fuel comes from multiple sources, from other creators to simply wandering in new environments: ”Other creators, documentaries, articles, ChatGPT, or simply exploring completely blind!” Southeast Asia, he notes, has been particularly inspiring: “It’s amazing for that—so easy to hop on a scooter, get lost, and stumble on remote spots.” Rouleau recounts one particularly memorable shot he took at the Giza pyramids. “The shot of the Giza pyramids with a line of camels heading toward them was a little tricky,” he remembers. Standing under the desert sun, he patiently waited for a tourist-free frame to capture the timelessness of the scene. "I wanted it to feel like a throwback to another era," he says, smiling, “but there’ll be tougher shots ahead, I’m sure!”

In terms of technique and style, Rouleau favors a Sony A7IV paired with a range of lenses that allow him flexibility across different settings. His current favorite is the Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8, which he uses heavily for street photography. "It’s my latest favorite for street shots," he notes, while also mentioning the Sony 85mm f/1.8 as a go-to lens for night street photography. “I recently got a Laowa 10mm f/2.8—a super-wide lens without the distortion of a fish-eye,” he adds excitedly. “I’m pumped to put it to work!”

To keep his creativity alive, Rouleau has made learning part of his routine. “I’ve realized in the past couple of years how much I enjoy learning new things." Whether it’s through photography tutorials or self-growth books, he finds inspiration daily. One of his favorite reads is Feck Perfuction by James Victore. “It’s super easy to read and an espresso shot of motivation on every page. Love it!”

When it comes to offering advice for emerging photographers, Rouleau emphasizes a mix of exploration, skill-building, and patience. “Learn as much as you can from different sources, travel, and get inspired by fresh places," he says. Revisiting familiar spots can also serve as a tool for growth, helping photographers notice their evolving perspectives. "Push yourself to shoot cool photos of ‘boring’ spots; over time, those ‘boring’ places start to feel fewer and farther between as you sharpen your skills."