Chris Burkard - Photographer
Age: 39
Country: United States Occupations:
Photographer
Chris Burkard is an American photographer, filmmaker, explorer, author, and speaker renowned for his stunning captures of surf, landscape, outdoor adventure, and travel subjects. Born and raised on California's Central Coast in San Luis Obispo, he grew up immersed in the ocean, honing his skills in body surfing and surfing before discovering photography as a teen. A self-taught artist and graduate of Arroyo Grande High School, Burkard left college to pursue his passion full-time, quickly rising in the surf and outdoor industries through his photojournalistic style that emphasizes raw emotion, dynamic compositions, and the interplay between humans and untamed nature.
Based in the Central Coast region, Burkard travels the globe—from the icy waves of the Arctic Circle and remote Icelandic interiors to the vibrant coasts of Mexico and New Zealand—documenting energized landscapes and moments of bliss. His work, often featuring surfers against epic backdrops, has graced the pages of Surfer Magazine, where he serves as a staff photographer, and earned him accolades like the Red Bull Illume award in 2010. As a committed conservationist and member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he uses his platform to advocate for wild spaces, authoring books like "The Art of the Surf Trip" and producing films that highlight environmental urgency. With a career spanning editorial projects for brands like Apple and National Geographic, Burkard inspires audiences through workshops, TEDx talks, and social media, blending creativity with a willingness to endure extreme conditions for the perfect shot.