Steven Spencer, Drury University graduate and local Springfield, Missouri photographer, has lived an interesting life. He sat down with The Scoop to tell us about his journeys around the world taking photos of dancers and his adventures with strangers who became his friends.

In 2016 Spencer was inspired to travel the world after visiting with a friend in Panama. It was during that visit Spencer met with his friend’s girlfriend who happened to be a dancer with the National Ballet of Panama. While waiting for rehearsals to finish, he took some photos of the dancers.

He created a Facebook page and shared his photos hoping to spark an interest with others. Eventually Spencer had a following of people from around the world who were liking and sharing his photos, sending him friend requests and messages.

After the trip to Panama, Spencer was back in Springfield without a clear direction.  “I was uninspired here. I had photographed and I had nothing.”

He decided go embark another trip, this time around the world. Inspired by his connections on Facebook and the photos he took in Panama, he reached out to his followers and began planning his journey.  He was looking forward to meeting his virtual friends and becoming real friends.

Spencer began his adventure in Asia and moved east to Europe, building his portfolio as he traveled. While taking photos abroad he would talk to local people and share his story. Impressed with his work the people would often provide him with recommendations for his next destination.

“It just kinda took on its own energy, and I just went where they said. I didn’t have a plan. My plan was to photograph and that was it…and to make it around the world,” said Spencer

He traveled to over 25 countries during his escapade relying on his social skills, his camera and the connections he made to help him get to his next destination.

According to Tom Parker, professor emeritus and former chair of the art department at Drury, Spencer has always been skilled in his ability to make strangers into friends.  “Of all the students I have had at Drury, Spencer was the real deal. He really knows what he’s doing. Part of it is his social skills. I’ve never seen anybody turn him down,” says Parker.  “He bonds with people. He stays in touch with everyone.That’s a social skill we don’t tend to teach at Drury, but it’s very valuable. He uses his art as a door opener and a window as a way to view the world and connect with others.”

Another friend and fellow photographer, James Radke, had similar thoughts, “The best thing you need to do to befriend people is to find something in common with them, and if you can do that a lot of doors can be opened. Find something you have in common with them that is different and all of a sudden the walls fall down and everything opens up. This is something Spencer excels at.”

Spencer’s latest project is different from things he’s done in the past. He recently bought a 1970 Mustang Mach One. He plans on fixing it up and driving it to Panama City to the friend that inspired him to start his journey around the world. He intends to photograph the journey from beginning to end and create a documentary of the trip.

Spencer is currently in Springfield doing what he loves, taking photos for the fun of it. But this isn’t the end of his story or journey, he intends to travel the world again very soon. Through the friends he has made around the world and the connections he’s come across he’s been able to live an adventurous life.

“I’ve met people along the way, and made friends, good friends, and they’re keeping me going.”

You can see some of Spencer’s work in October at Gailey’s Breakfast Cafe. In the meantime check out his website for more photos.