Today we’d like to introduce you to Austin Mullen.
Austin, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I spent the majority of my life skiing. I grew up in Minnesota and right after high school, I moved to Colorado to pursue a dream of skiing professionally. I spent nearly 9 years living in the mountains skiing and pursuing various passions.
I ended up getting injured fairly badly on multiple occasions, this caused a major setback in my progression. Through that, I picked up a camera, something I had been interested in for most of my life, but never seemed to take it to heart. After I began shooting, I also developed a massive interest in travel. I would work 2-3 jobs, lived in my car for a small period of time in order to save to travel. I sold off everything but the basics and went to Indonesia for a few months. This is where I found out how much I love the ocean, specifically surfing and shooting surfing. I left Colorado in 2014 and started working odd jobs to pay for travel. One summer I went to Alaska to work on a Salmon Boat. Right after, I backpacked throughout Central America with a close friend and ended up working a hostel in Nicaragua to focus only on surf photography. Once my time was up in Nicaragua, I decided to go directly back to Indonesia where it all began. I spent months in the water learning everything there was about how to shoot surfing, and how to surf.
After 5 months, I decided to come to California and try my hand at freelancing and continue to focus all my energy on surf photography. I found myself in Carlsbad and this is where I am today! I have plans this summer to go back to Indonesia to keep pushing myself in the water while continuing to learn everything there is about how to shoot a sport and lifestyle I have grown to love with an incredible passion.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It’s been anything but smooth, but it certainly has taught me how to enjoy the moments when life is incredible.
I’ve run out of money multiple times in various countries and had to figure out how to make a few dollars to get where I needed.
Freelancing is a challenge all on its own which I’m learning along the way. I work many jobs that don’t have anything to do with photography in order to pursue my passion and keep my dream afloat.
The absolute best feeling in the world is when you’ve finally saved enough to go on a new trip and focus all your energy on photography. It’s a freedom all in its own. I’ve had to learn to calm my energy and put my mind at ease knowing a new adventure is always on the horizon.
Shooting surfing as a newcomer was extremely tough, along the way I met a few extremely talented surfers who have really helped me out. Two of them are who I shoot with on the regular, we travel, surf, and shoot together. It’s been a wild ride and it has just begun.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Austin Mullen Photography – what should we know?
I am a freelance surf and travel photographer. I specialize in fine art, surfing and travel photography. I shoot in and out of the water. I love to capture the energy of the ocean, and the peace it brings to myself and everyone who spends their time with the ocean. I love the power and calming affect surfing brings to me, my goal is to capture that feeling in my photography.
I think what sets me apart is that I didn’t come from a surfing background, I found it through chasing dreams and having goals. Now my life revolves around surfing and the ocean. Surfing and photography, in a way, saved my life.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Never giving up, and learning to think in different ways.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.austinmullenphotgraphy.com
- Phone: 952-688-1138
- Email: austinmullen81@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/austinmullenphoto
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