"It was all a dream..."
Actually, it was just a hobby that got way out of hand.
My journey behind the lens started the old-school way: shooting film in high school and developing it in a dark room. From there, I graduated to a trusty point-and-shoot, documenting raw, unfiltered moments- motorcycle road trips, family gatherings, and just kicking it with friends, long before we did it for social media.
The real turning point came when an old roommate handed down a DSLR camera to me. I spent countless hours dissecting that camera, mastering manual settings, and learning how to chase and manipulate light in any environment to capture the true feeling of a moment.
Fast forward to 2017, I was a random guy with a drone, flying through the canals of Venice, Italy and to abandoned shipwrecks in the Greek isles. It was then i came up with idea for calitrippin, to share my travel drone photography.
Today, calitrippin is a trademarked brand, a global apparel line, and a full-blown photography obsession with capturing movement in the moment with a camera.
From the Lineup...
I got my professional photography start capturing surfers from Crystal Pier in Pacific Beach. The "stoke" was contagious- I’d post a photo, someone would recognize a friend, and word would spread. That addiction pushed me to go deeper. I traded the dry land for water housings, high-speed shutters, and fins; swimming out into the lineup to get the heavy angles you just can’t see from the sand. I started selling individual photos direct on this website when surf companies started reaching out to capture their sponsored athletes, competitions and new product.
Whether it was the crowded lineups of 2020 or the pro breaks in Hawaii, Fiji, Mexico and Portugal- I’ve spent the last few years obsessed with capturing the "next best shot." My surf photography has since landed in magazines, on product packaging and on the walls of commercial galleries.
..To Trippin
If there's water and a wave, I'm there. My obsession with travel and surf photography led me to host curated, all-inclusive surf trips in Mexico for a while. I loved guiding crews through a 'sample platter' of different breaks and genuine cultural experiences alongside the local friends I made along the way.
Though those hosted trips are currently on pause due to other life adventures, that same easygoing, community-first energy is exactly what I bring to every single photo session today at home.
...To the Front Row
In 2022, a friend asked me to shoot their band at a tiny, dimly lit venue. I realized quickly that a mosh pit isn't that different from a heavy set of waves- It’s all about timing, energy and finding the calm in the chaos.
That one "challenge" session turned into a whirlwind year. I went from local bars to traveling the country, covering massive music festivals and capturing my favorite artists as they tour through Southern California. Whether I’m dodging a surfboard or a stage-diver, my goal is the same: to make you feel the noise of the moment.
...To the #1 booked photographer on a major platform
A while back, a major travel agency reached out and invited me to be one of the very first photographers on their global platform. It sounded like an awesome way to connect with new people, and it has turned out to be an incredibly rewarding adventure. Since joining, I’ve had the absolute joy of shooting with clients from every corner of the world, expanding my creative portfolio, and delivering galleries that leave them totally stoked.
100% Good Vibes
What started as an Instagram account for drone shots has turned into a lifestyle. I never expected to have a clothing line, but after the "calitrippin" logo took off, I started stamping it on the gear I wear every day- hats and tanks. Seeing that gear ship all over the world has been rewarding.
Fast forward to 2026, and the circus has only grown. When I’m not in a wetsuit, you can find me as the House Photographer at The Harp in Ocean Beach, capturing the raw, intimate energy of the OB music scene. I’ve also found a way to give back to the water that’s given me so much by volunteering with Urban Surf 4 Kids, helping foster youth find their own "stoke" through the healing power of the ocean. But my favorite, and definitely most chaotic gig is chasing my own personal circus of kiddos around the beach.
Like my photos? Grab a hat, follow the journey on Instagram, or contact me to book a session!
