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atching massive waves and hanging around with fellow surfer buddies may sound like a lot of fun initially, but photographer Chris Burkard, filmmaker Ben Weiland, and a bunch of experienced thrill chasers were looking for a lot more than just waves in the winter of 2017. In the remote fjords of Iceland’s Hornstrandir Nature Reserve, the group searched for abnormally large waves in the dead of winter, not at all expecting the largest storm in 25 years bellowing straight for them. With nowhere to escape, the group had to wait out the storm for five days, resulting in some of the most challenging and exciting events Burkard ever faced. Burkard initially met up with Weiland and other surfers to shoot an epic travel story in Iceland, hoping to surf the best waves on that side of the equator. However, the trip did not go as planned as the storm not only derailed the trip but possibly even threatened their lives. Having no choice but to ride out the storm, they had to make a difficult decision: hope for good waves or simply return home. Burkard could not help but feel the thrill of real adventure lurking in these dire circumstances. After sticking it out, they accomplished their goal. With the Northern Lights above and some gnarly waves below, they managed to get the best shots of their careers and experienced something dangerous but rewarding, telling a story unlike anyone had ever done before.
Born in 1986 in San Luis Obispo, California, Burkard had a normal upbringing, raised by his mother and stepfather. After graduating from Arroyo Grande High School in 2004, he was exposed to photography for the first time. His big opportunity came when he shadowed landscape photographer Michael Fatali and later interned under Transworld Surfing photo editor Pete Tara. This sparked his adventurous spirit and made him want to see the world. Currently, Burkard is known for his outdoor travel photography, often filming his experience traveling to new and exciting climates like the Arctic Circle. When making films, he ponders the meaning of his subject, such as the freedom of surfing in the Arctic or trekking through Iceland. For Burkard, adventure isn’t something you can just read about in a book. To do it justice one has to see it for themselves to truly understand the vast greatness of the world. Burkard made it his mission to tell people’s stories and show people parts of the world they cannot see for themselves. Early in his practice, he realized there was more to photography, that it was a passage to the new lands that lay beyond the borders of his known world, and with the power of photography, Burkard saw new horizons. “It was
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