Today we’d like to introduce you to Tristan Sizik.
Tristan, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
To begin, I’m born and raised in San Diego, California. Very blessed to say I have been raised in such a beautiful city filled with such diversity and character. Grew up in a house full of athletes – my family was very sports-oriented. Played baseball and football all my life since I could possibly start all the way until I finished high school. Baseball was my life, I’m not even exaggerating. I played travel ball growing up and we did that practically every other weekend. The tournaments were ongoing but I loved it. In the end, I chose to continue my education over baseball and I felt deprived. I wanted to pick up another hobby, something to keep my right brain working since I knew I would be getting some abuse impacted on my left due to Computer Engineering being my degree.
That’s when I picked up photography. At first, it was a hobby, all self-taught, bought a used camera off eBay. A bunch of messing around with friends; you know the drill. Then it started getting a bit more serious when my friends started throwing underground shows (shoutout Elijah Gray and The Foundation). We would run EDM shows in abandoned labs and stuff, haha, that was a good time. Then connections started happening and I started gaining more inspiration through all the festivals I attended at the time. Started shooting more shows for more collectives and DJs, documenting and accumulating my work experience. I exposed myself to opportunity and made it clear I was open to anything and more than capable to achieve it.
Within a span of a year and a half, I was a workaholic. I was doing videos and photos almost every other weekend while in school. Man was that difficult, but I had no interest in stopping. When I get ambitious I really tunnel in until I achieve. I was reaching out here and there. Eventually, I reached out to this collective called The Travelers Club to help cover one of their shows. Oh, man was that a huge change in my perspective of art. I met so many beautiful people through them that continuously show love and support. A real milestone for me, it really set me off to other avenues. I eventually got into graphic design a bit and released my line of Zines called “Hour Time,” which is essentially my improv “mashed photatoes” (lol) and design as displayed in about 20 or so pages.
Once I finished school, I made it a priority to replenish my energies that I was depriving myself of due to the nonstop ambitious work ethic I had. I’ve been sitting back and enjoying my friend’s success and the influx of inspiration is getting me super amped to start moving the business once more.
A lot of people ask me what the meaning of Mastless is and I always get sooo stoked to explain. Mastless is my analogy between a ship without a sail and my mental fortitude. Just as the wind would have an influence on a ship’s direction when the mast is casted, so would people’s opinions influence your decisions if you allow them to manipulate. Instead of making myself prone to other’s ideas or opinions, I like to direct my boat myself. It’s my metaphor for individualism. Although I keep my mind open – I enjoy the breeze – I still chose my own path and destination. I put the work into row my own boat and go where I think is best for myself. I’m Mastless!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Oh man. I think honestly photography was something that I was destined to do as it was a challenge that was necessary for my growth and development. It grew my confidence, it helped me with independence, and it helped me mature. It was hard trying to balance it out with school as passionate as I am, and it almost drove me to drop out. But man, those points of your life, you really see what you are capable of and it forces you to develop on so many levels.
Also, finding the right people I feel like is always something that was a pressure, to surround yourself with others who support and push you. I found my niche luckily but it was a weird stasis at the beginning that made me feel pretty stranded/dull. My advice is to take all the opportunities you can and to reach out to people, cause the worst that they can say is no. You’ll make beautiful connections if you expose yourself. And you’ll grow. Everyone wins!
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Mastless Photography – what should we know?
I’ve always promoted my talents in event photography. I feel like it really speaks to me. The energy and surge of emotion I feel real-time is completely unparalleled. I also do other portraiture work and have experience in fashion photography a bit here and there. I’ve done video work as well since I was a photographer/videographer for this one DJ group for a while.
I think my greatest strength is my diversity and willingness to learn. I think of myself as a true jack of all trades, which is both good and bad in a way, but I love it. I take pride in my work ethic.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Wow, this is so hard.
First of all, I want to thank my parents for being so supportive of my pursuits in photography, got in trouble a few times cause I would take our old car to drive far for events. My family is super open-minded and gives me great guidance, but also ample freedom. I love you guys.
Then to follow, but not any less important is my friends that I’ve met through the Traveler’s Club. Literally everyone at those shows who I’ve spoken to. You guys gave me a home, somewhere I can relate with others in as far as art goes. It made me comfortable in my ambitions and experiments. So many opportunities have blossomed out of my involvement with them. I don’t want to name anyone because I really can’t since there’s so many, but I know they know who they are.
Then, lastly is my boy Elijah Gray. He helped me figure out where to start since we ran those underground shows. The connections I established that slowly got me into event photography all started there. Those are my roots.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mastless.photography
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mastless_/
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