Lens Masters

Bryan Elkus - Pro

INTRO - We first started working with Bryan in 2008 when he started sending us some fresh and exciting perspectives of the action going on daily in Cape Hatteras. Clearly a top rider himself, it was obvious from the start that he builds up a great rapport with riders, so much so, that he was the official photographer for the 2009 Triple S contest in June, providing fantastic visuals for our report in issue #40. Click here for more on that issue.

Bryan is also a Marketing / Media Manager at Real Kiteboarding. Catch up with him at Real here

View the embedded image gallery online at:
http://www.kiteworldmag.com/lens-master-galleries/elkus/#sigProGalleria11bbb0d914

Where did you grow up?
I grew up in West Bloomfield, MI

Where do you live?
I currently reside in beautiful Cape Hatteras, NC

How old are you?
24

What was your first camera?
My first camera was a Canon 35mm

What is your current camera set-up?
I use Canon 40Ds, Pocket Wizards, Vivitar Strobes, SPL water housing with fisheye and 16-35mm ports, 10-17mm Tokina lens, 17-55mm Canon, 70-200mm Canon, MacBook Pro.

How did you get into photography?
My dad and grandpa got me into photography early, as they are extremely good photographers themselves. I took a class in high school, which gave me an excuse to shoot more, and I really enjoyed my time in the darkroom. As the price of film continued to rise, I sadly started to taper off my shooting. It wasn’t until I was able to dive into a digital setup many years later that I really got back into photography. It’s good to be back!

When did you become a professional photographer?
I started shooting kiteboarding as soon as I started kiting back in Michigan with the Great Lakes kiteboarding crew. My friends and I were all about trying to get fun shots to show all our non-kiting friends what could be done behind a kite. Although, someone should have stopped us because we really didn’t know what we were doing then and we have the pictures to prove it! Now, being at REAL, I have the opportunity to meet up and work with the best riders in the world when they all come to Cape Hatteras, NC.

When did you get into shooting kiting and how did it come about?
I started shooting kiting when we decided to start a kitesurfing magazine in SA. My first shoot was with Sebastian Cattelan; you can just guess how that ended up! The first thing he asked me was if my lens was big enough and if I would be able to keep up with him. This was when he was still doing freestyle and was full of attitude. Since then we have become very good mates and he helps me out a lot. He is a great rider!

Can you remember the first shot you got published?
The first image I had published ran in the local paper, and it also turned out to be the cover of MidWest What! a snowboarding documentary I helped a couple buddies in Michigan create.

Which is your favourite shot ever?
That is a very tough question. I really couldn’t give you a favorite. Each image holds its own story that reminds me of an event, feeling or time, so it’s difficult to pick out my best image (and plus it really wouldn’t be fair to all the other images in my library!).

Who is your favourite rider to shoot with and why?
Any of the REAL team riders! As the REAL Team Manager, Jason Slezak has done a great job passing along his knowledge and teaching the newer riders on how to ride for a camera. It makes everyone’s job much easier when we have to get a specific shot.

Where is your favourite place to shoot and why?
Cape Hatteras is the best of the best. I love shooting here as it really pushes you to not solely rely on the backgrounds to enhance the action shots. There is a great variety of riding locations here. We have the best flat water at the REAL Slick, the best waves the east coast has to offer and an abundance of windy blue-sky days.

Where is the most terrifying place you’ve ever shot?
There were a couple places I shot in the water in Maui that have never really sat well with me.

Do you have any advice for aspiring kiting photographers?
Shoot something everyday. Whether it be kiting or a blade of grass in your backyard take a picture every day, you’ll soon start to see a difference.