Daily Inspiration: Meet Evan Mulder

Today we’d like to introduce you to Evan Mulder.

Hi Evan, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My story is really about finding a way to share a unique perspective of the world. It began a few years ago, not as a business, but as a pure new passion for drone photography. I’m a Southern California native, having grown up in San Clemente, where the ocean and beach have always felt like home, strongly inspiring my work.
For years, especially while working on my teaching credential and Master’s degree, I had no time for hobbies or creative outlets. I had always enjoyed photography and was drawn to technology, so the chance to fly a drone and combine it with my passion for taking pictures felt like the perfect match. Launching my first drone changed everything. It wasn’t just about taking pictures; it was about rediscovering familiar landscapes from a whole new vantage point. Places I had known all my life, like the iconic San Clemente Pier and sandstone bluffs, looked completely different from the sky.
The turning point came when friends and family started requesting prints of these unique aerial perspectives of their hometown. I realized the emotional connection people had to these places was amplified when seen from above and presented as a tangible, high-quality piece of art. Today, the business is growing steadily. Beyond online sales, I began placing my work in local establishments, which significantly helped gain exposure in the community. I’ve shifted from just being a photographer to a curator and small business owner who is driven by bringing the beauty and a fresh, local perspective of Southern California into other people’s daily lives.

Alright, 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?
Absolutely not. Like any journey that goes from passion project to business, there have been continuous learning curves and a variety of challenges to navigate from the very beginning.
The primary struggle was the technical shift to quality print production. While my drone and camera operation skills improved, bridging the gap between being an artist and a local art business was a tremendous hurdle. I had to develop a detailed understanding of the professional print process, including the implications for various unique print mediums and the actual print technologies utilized. I also had to master the software elements, such as color calibration, to ensure the intense colors, lighting, and dynamic range of my photos printed exactly how they appeared on my screen.
The second major hurdle was the business shift and time management. Running a small-scale operation demands administrative work beyond just flying the drone and editing. Navigating this process while also working as a teacher full-time was particularly tedious. I gradually developed a brand, an online presence, a storefront, and a complete logistical system where my photography could be purchased, professionally printed, and delivered to a buyer’s specification. It took a lot of trial and error and time, but I continued learning everything I could about marketing, order logistics, and customer service to find solutions for each step of the process.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am an aerial photographer specializing in capturing the unique landscapes and coastal patterns of Southern California. The Southern California environment isn’t just a backdrop for my work; it is the subject itself and the element that defines the distinct style and allure of my photographs. My aerial photography is fundamentally a love letter to the place I grew up.
My specialization is capturing the unique relationship between the vibrant coastal light and dramatic geometry and textures of the landscape. I typically focus my flights around the “golden hours” of sunrise and sunset, when the low angle of the sun casts incredibly sharp, long shadows. This lighting better reveals the textures of coastal bluffs, the ocean’s surface, and the curvature of a breaking wave. The drone allows me to see order and abstraction in the natural and urban environment.
What sets me apart is this intimacy and local resonance. Beyond selling prints, I’ve also begun working on a number of commission projects for buyers and collectors, creating a completely customized piece according to their specifications of subject or location, lighting, color tones, print sizing, and print materials/design aesthetic. I particularly enjoy these projects because of the connection with people and the collaborative nature of the process from start to finish. It’s an incredible feeling to see their reaction when delivering their piece and seeing the finished product in their space. I am most proud that this sense of connection maintains the growth and support of my work as an artist.

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
The quality I feel is most important to my success is perseverance in learning and finding solutions.
When the project transitioned from a creative outlet into a business, I faced entirely new, non-artistic challenges, such as establishing an online storefront and mastering fulfillment logistics. Just as I self-taught photography and digital photo editing, I had to be dedicated to continuously learning about every subsequent step of the process. This characteristic is what allowed me to tackle the complex, technical elements like print production, color calibration, and order fulfillment that are essential for delivering a premium product. The success of this venture isn’t just in creating a beautiful image; it’s in the drive to master the complete, end-to-end logistical system required for my photography to be purchased, professionally printed, and delivered to a buyer’s specification.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://wayuphighsc.etsy.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wayuphighsc/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wayuphighsc
• Other: https://wayuphighsc.myportfolio.com/a

Image Credits
Me – Evan Mulder