About

Chris Rickman grew up in the Santa Ynez Valley.  A rural community nestled between the expansive Los Padres National Forest and the pristine Gaviota Coastline. Early on, his life became deeply rooted in the outdoors and the endless interactions between it.  From surfing and freediving to hiking and exploring the backcountry, an intimate relationship was forged. The passion ignited by these relationships fueled a creative flame, a desire to visually portray a unique perspective of the world around him. Photography came to be his medium of choice. 

"I am enamored by natural light. It has the power to physically and mentally change the way you feel and see the world. It's perpetually changing. Illuminating what was dark, casting shadows off what wasn't, changing color, dancing and bending through water, breaking through clouds, creating warmth and contrast all around us.  I find myself constantly chasing after it. Searching for that magical moment when all the elements come together. Then, as soon as that moment arrives, its gone again.  Thats the allure of photography for me.  Its a delicate balance between the elements you can control and those you cannot. The deeper the connection you have with your subject the greater your ability to capture its very essence."

-Chris Rickman