#15 Gérard Trang ' There are no limits when I talk about travel'

The Sixth Power is our column dedicated to emerging or established influencers. Each week we give you a new interview with an influencer. This fifteenth post is dedicated to Gérard Trang.

HostelsClub's blog is hosting a new column dedicated to influencers, entitled 'The Sixth Power'. We are going to hear what they have to say, listen to their stories and discover their way of life. Many people aspire to be like them, and influencers are one of the latest and most desired professions. Their following, in some cases, exceeds the influence of important political figures! Kourtney Kardashian, with her 72.6 million followers, has more than the number of votes that led Donald Trump to the post of President of the United States of America in 2016. The Italian fashion-influencer Chiara Ferragni, before gaining an incredible 16.9 million followers on Instagram, was just an ordinary girl. We'll find out what it is like to be an influencer, giving a voice to travel bloggers in particular. There will be many good tips for those with open ears who may be thinking of entering into this incredible lifestyle!

#15 Gérard Trang ' There are no limits when I talk about travel'

A passion for travel combined with photography and technological research is the key to Gérard Trang's success. A Parisian and influencer with a steady following, his is a journey in search of timing the perfect shot. There are no great breathtaking landscapes, but rather scenes of everyday life seen in the right moment. The ancients called it kairos, or that perfect moment which, in the irreparable flow of time, shows itself at the right moment. This is how Gérard Trang goes about to telling the story of the world. Because kairos is not given once and for all, but continuously, you just need to know how to look for it. Svalbard, San Francisco, the Faroe Islands, Japan. It began as a hobby after winning a contest that led him to exhibit a photo in the center of Paris. His profile grew as he amassed more followers and he then started working on his first collaborations. Unlike many of his colleagues, Gérard Trang doesn't publish selfies. "I try to photograph places that are accessible to everyone but with something more", he tells us. "Sometimes you have to wait a few minutes to capture a charismatic passerby or to find the right angle."

@superchinois801

What ideas do you try to carry forward?

I try to photograph places that are accessible to everyone, but with something more. Sometimes you have to wait a few minutes to capture a charismatic passer-by, or wait for a scene to unfold before you, find the right angle.

What aspects of your life do you reveal to others?

I prefer to have some privacy. I don't really think that my followers are interested in what I eat every day or what I do at home. What I mostly show is my travels, I share them with my followers and show them the best parts.

For example?

The best photos, restaurants we've tried, but also hotels and hostels. There are no limits when I talk about travel. I also talk about technology and photography, so that I can exchange opinions and information with my followers.

@superchinois801

How do you create your content?

I let myself be inspired by many things. Internet, great photographers, social media. I am especially inspired when travelling, because when I leave my comfort zone and face a new environment my creative passion comes through.

When did you start using social networks in a professional way?

I started when I won a competition at Paris Plage and my picture was displayed in the city, and my account has only grown from there. A year later I started having requests for collaborations. I began to travel intensively in France, then the following year I went on more demanding journeys.

Has instagram has allowed you to travel more?

Absolutely, thanks to Instagram I visited Svalbard, San Francisco, the Faroe Islands, Japan and many more places.

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And then the hobby became a profession.

My profile was created almost as a game, to have fun and share photos with friends. I didn't intent to become a professional in this field, especially because at the time nobody was an Instagram professional.

Today many people dream of becoming an influencer, what mistakes should you not make?

Unfortunately, many influencers are fake.

What do you mean?

They buy followers. I think this is the worst kind of mistake that you can make.

@superchinois801

It is said that photographs do not always reflect reality. Have you ever visited a country that was totally different from what you expected?

Once I was really disappointed. It happened when I visited Norway.

Why?

Because I had an incredible reputation, I hoped to see fjords, wild animals, mountains and snow everywhere, but it was not like that at all. I only visited the cities and every time we tried to go on an adventure we were stopped by storms.

Any upcoming projects?

I have some ongoing projects, but I can't talk about it too much at the moment! I do have some great trips scheduled throughout the year in some incredible places.

As you know, HostelsClub promotes the culture of hostels, do you use them in your travels?

I remember my first big trip to Ireland with a friend, we only booked beds in hostels. At first the only reason was because it was cheap!

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And then?

Then during the journey we met so many people, incredible people, true backpakers. They were very nice travelers and we are still friends to this day! We spent our evenings together thanks to the network of hostels, meeting every evening at the pub or on the beach. It was really magical. We even met each other again in other cities after a few days of separation as we went on our respective trips.

More than other accomodation options, hostels guarantee a true experience of the places that travellers visit. Do you have any anecdotes about it?

I've had some of the best moments of my life in a hostel. Once a manager arrived with his banjo, started playing in front of us and taught us how to dance. It lasted a couple of hours and it was really nice. Moments of my life that I will never forget.

This column will be translated into the main 26 langauges of our blog. if you are an influencer and want to tell your story then write to us, and maybe the next Sixth Power post will talk about you!