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ABOUT AWA
- Who's behind this project?
The USA-based husband and wife team of Wally & Amanda conceived of the AWA platform as a way to develop a personal travel bucket list. First established on Instagram, their personal project quickly developed into a wide-reaching resource, providing inspiration for travelers & creatives from around the world. With their puppy mascot, Dexter, by their side, the adventurous couple’s mission evolved from curating and researching interesting locations to bringing the Community along on virtual Adventures around the world. Their mission remains the same from the start – provide a dose of delight and inspire a sense of adventure and curiosity for all that wish to participate.
- Where’s Wes?
The distinct visual lens that frames up each image or larger adventure narrative is inspired by the beloved film director, Wes Anderson. Over the course of 10 films and counting, Wes has honed in on a distinct visual aesthetic that is both undeniably beautiful and deserving of adulation. Each frame of his films stands alone, resulting in a collection of delightful gems. AWA has built upon Wes’ imaginative scenes and seeks out their real-life counterparts around the globe. We are forever indebted to Wes for opening our eyes to the beauty that surrounds us. Sometimes all we need to do is “reframe the perspective”.
That said, AWA is not operated or moderated by Mr. Anderson himself. We hope that he loves what is shared here, but please, no fan mail, we don’t have his postal address!
- What is AWA IRL?
While this project initially started online it has moved beyond the small screen and into the real world. Take a look at some of the exhibitions and public events that we have over at our Events page. We’d love to see you out and about. Give it a go, these people have!
- Do you host events?
Sure do! Drop us a line and we can chat. (hi @ accidentallywesanderson dot com)
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY
- Who is an Adventurer?
Our growing community of one million individuals is composed of travelers, architects, professional creatives, history buffs, artists, editors, teachers, students, photographers, and those intrigued by the wonders of the world and civilization. Each of us is an Adventurer at heart, and all are welcome here.
- How can I participate?
Absolutely! There are many ways to engage with the AWA Community. You can visit an IRL event, or submit some of your own work. Check out some inspiring Adventurers in the Wild!
- How can I win stuff / what is the secret link?
We run giveaways and select winners with every single Bulletin newsletter! Sometimes it may be an exclusive sticker – other times it’s a book signed by none other than Wes Anderson himself.
Sure, we also have giveaways on our Instagram – but those are few and far between!
We’ll let you in on a little secret… we save the best giveaways for our Bulletin crew – AKA “Super Adventurers.”
So what are ya’ waiting for? Join us for some smiles in your inbox, and find out what the next giveaway will be. (And just to prove that we really do what we say… take a peek at some past winners)
Oh yeah, the Secret Link. Learn about it here.
CONTRIBUTING CONTENT
- What makes for a good place?
A good AWA place not only captures the quirky, symmetrical, and visually striking elements often associated with Wes Anderson’s style but also offers more than just an aesthetic appeal. While the image is important, it’s only half of the value. To be considered for inclusion on the AWA Map, a place must have an interesting historical connection or a curious story that adds depth to its visual charm, blending the extraordinary with the mundane in both appearance and narrative.
- How do I capture a great photo/video?
To capture a great AWA-style photo or video, focus on symmetry, balance, and clean lines. Look for vibrant colors and unique architectural details that stand out. Lighting is key—natural light works best, especially during golden hour for softer tones. Frame your shot thoughtfully, keeping the subject centered or creating a sense of depth with layers. Lastly, don’t forget to capture the spirit of the place—whether it’s the mood, a quirky detail, or a subtle narrative that makes the location feel alive and meaningful.
- Will you use my content on your site?
While we review every single submission, our role is to help curate the best of the best for the Community. Therefore, as a short answer… “maybe”. In any case, we’ll remain in communication if your image/story is selected to be shared with the rest of the AWA Community!
- Will my work end up in a book or at an exhibition?
Occasionally there are opportunities to share your work with the world beyond the internet. Check out our events page to get a sense of some of the places where the AWA Community stories can end up. Again, we’ll be in direct contact with you prior to using anything that you may have shared with us. We’re all about providing credit where it is due.
USING THIS WEBSITE
- How do I make a profile?
To create a free profile, simply click “Login” in this site’s top navigation. From there, you’ll have 3 options to create an account and then personalize your profile: Google Authentication, Apple Authentication, or a custom email + password approach.
Once you have a login, you can add places to lists, called “collections”, by clicking on the bookmark icon on any place’s page.
Upon click, you will have the option to create a public collection that you can share with others via a link (default setting) or you can set your collection to be private by changing the settings on your personal collection page.
- How does AWA IQ work?
AWA IQ is a daily trivia challenge game. Each day, our team presents an image of a place that can be found on the AWA map. You have 5 chances to guess which country the place is located in. Come back each day to develop a win steak!
- I have a question about merchandise
All merchandise related information can be found on our Shopify FAQ here.
Still have a questions for us? Hopefully we can help. Please send us your question via the form below and someone will respond at the earliest convenience!
