Consistency, Hard Work, and Never Giving Up

Photography By Tyler Kemph

Travel and lifestyle photographer Tyler Kemp talks about his experience traveling the world, finding different surf scenes, and using his camera as a vessel for exploration.

Planet Earth

How did you begin your journey as a photographer?

My photography journey began 8 years ago, I was fascinated by the lifestyle of travel photographers. The idea of traveling the world and shooting photos for a living sounded crazy to me. I knew I had to put my heart and soul into my camera and make it a reality for myself… Fast forward to the present day, my camera has been my vessel for exploration, leading me to produce content for brands from all over the world.

What have you learned along the way?

In my creative career, I’ve learned dozens of skills when it comes to running a photography business. From pitching brands, shooting in new elements, and meeting people from around the world. There’s always something new to learn. In the end, consistency, hard work, and never giving up will always payoff.

How would you describe your style? What makes your perspective unique?

I’m always experimenting with different styles within my niche. I love the freedom that photography brings where you can always try new styles and bring in new rhythms of creativity. My perspective behind the camera sparks when I’m not only capturing the action shots of surfing and adventure but all the in-between moments too, the vibes. Capturing the skateboard ride to the beach, driving up the coast in search of waves, surfing n vibing on the beach all day, and sparking up the campfire.

Your work focuses on the outdoor lifestyles of travel and surfing. Why does this subject matter inspire you?

Being in the water is where I feel at home and being outdoors is what keeps me sane. When traveling the world, I’m constantly introduced to new cultures and experiences. This feeling stimulates my mind where I’m learning about the world around me on a daily basis. I live for this feeling.

What are the joys and what are the struggles that come with shooting travel and surf photography?

The most rewarding aspect is meeting like-minded souls who share similar values. I find that surfers, skaters, and nomads always share an immense appreciation for life. We are constantly immersed in the ocean and in nature where we all have a deep respect for its beauty and its power. A challenge that I face every once in a while is knowing when to put the camera down and to fully immerse myself in the present moment.

Tell the story behind one of your images (that you send).

My buddy Zak and I went to Hawaii with no plan & determination to make it a grand adventure. We were seniors in high school at the time and ditched a few days of school to make the trip happen. We managed to hitchhike our way around the whole island, made tons of new friends, slept in hammocks on the beach, got millions of bug bites, lived off of freeze-dried food, and woke up to some incredible views. All the images in the collection were shot on a $7 disposable film camera. Was a trip I’ll remember forever.

You recently bought a one way ticket to Europe and currently traveling and shooting different surf cultures. What made you want to do this?

I’ve dreamed of making this lifestyle a reality since middle school. Whenever sitting in a classroom, all I could think about is the endless places to travel to and all of the places that are yet to be explored. Over the past 2 months, I’ve been exploring Italy, Israel, Egypt, and Turkey. I’ve been able to immerse myself in new cultures and see different coastlines along the Mediterranean Sea.

Which surf community stands out the most? How is it different and similar to the one you grew up with in Southern California?

About 5 years ago, I heard there was surfing in Israel, I was mesmerized. Growing up I thought of Israel as a place of “camels, desert, and Jesus.” Over the past year, I’ve spent a decent amount of time in this beautiful country. The biggest difference from the surf culture is that in the Middle East, they have the Mediterranean Sea, not an ocean. The water is tremendously warm and the waves range in all sizes throughout the year. Amid the elements, all the locals have so much love for surfing and are always stoked to be in the water, which makes me feel at home.

Which surf community in the world would you want to immerse yourself in and why?

I've been to Hawaii numerous times and it never fails to lure my eye. The vibe in Hawaii is like no other. Down the line, I will definitely move to Hawaii to immerse myself in the lifestyle. Going for a morning surf, hitting the skatepark at noon, and climbing peaks by sunset.

What would you tell 10 year old Tyler?

Every day is a blessing, not a guarantee. We're living in a big world with endless opportunities. Full of places to explore, people to meet, and millions of experiences to be had. Do more than just exist.

What’s next for you?

My next 8-12 months will be non-stop travel. I’ll be traveling to 5 different continents in search of good waves and good vibes. I’ll be documenting the journey and will be connecting with like-minded surfers and nomads along the journey.