Meet Paul Greene

Today we’d like to introduce you to Paul Greene.

Hi Paul, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Growing up around the mountains and coastline of Santa Barbara, my surroundings were always a big inspiration for wanting to create art. The time I started surfing was when my passion for photography started to really take off though. Seeing amazing photos in the surf magazines and witnessing all the beautiful things I would see while in the water was the perfect combination to make me obsessed with wanting to capture those moments in my own way. It wasn’t until I picked up a used Canon 50D when I was 14 that I knew I was going to pursue photography. Out of all the other mediums I had used in the past to create art, a camera was what I connected to the most. Photography has given me a greater appreciation of the environment and allows me to fully connect with nature and experience the surf in a new way. When shooting I don’t think about anything other than what I am doing at that exact moment in time and I can fully take in the space and scene around me.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
As far as me enjoying taking photos as an art form, I still love it more than ever. However, in this modern age where everyone is a photographer to some extent, it’s exciting and challenging to create something new. Every day I see amazing photos taken by people from around the world and I try to use what I see to think differently about the angles I seek out when shooting. I strive to capture images that draw inspiration from the viewer by either showing them a new perspective on something or simply showing them how beautiful our planet is. Another element that I focus on is simplicity. I use open space in many of my images to create depth and hopefully give a more realistic sense of the moment that I want to capture. Trying to create something unique and different is still an everyday test that fuels my passion for photography even more.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Photography has been a huge part of my life for over a decade now. It became the perfect tool for me to create art by allowing me to capturing the natural beauty of the world when I was a young teenager. When I first started out I would take photos of everything because I was totally obsessed, but the surf remained my main focus and still is today. Although that said, I am just as passionate to chase down a desert lightning storm or explore remote landscapes to get the shots I have I mind.

What does success mean to you?
For me, success can be taken in two ways. I consider it a success when I was fortunate enough to have found something I am more than happy doing for the rest of my life at a young age. However, I don’t want success to create contempt in how I view my work. I strive to always improve on something and never set a final goal for myself. Photography can never be perfect and capturing the ever-changing ocean, clouds, light and landscape always gives me something new to work with.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.paulgreenephoto.com/
• Instagram: @paulgreene