SJHHS student Luke Chavez fulfilled a lifetime dream and was recently named the newest photographer on two big surf companies, Dafin and Watershot housing. Luke was put on the team late last month and his photos were shown at dafin’s new fin release party.

Q:How did you get into photography?

A: I had been following various ocean and landscape photographers like Zak Noyle and Chris Burkard on Instagram when I realized, why can’t I do that too? That year I met Zak Noyle at the U.S. Open of Surfing and after hearing about my interest in photography, he offered to help mentor me if I ever decided to start taking photos myself. That was kind of a moment where I knew that this whole photography thing was something that I should try. A few months later, me and my cousin sold hundreds of hydrangeas outside our grandparents local grocery store to earn some money. With that money, I bought the only camera equipment I could afford, a Watershot Housing for my iPhone 4S. Then from there, I started taking low-quality screenshots of iPhone video And posting them on Instagram. The pictures were good but the quality was embarrassing. Last year I switched to an iPhone 5S and so now the quality is a lot better than before. I also take a lot more slow motion video now. The camera on my new phone has really helped my work look more professional.
Q:Why do you like photography?
A:I like photography because every time I go to shoot, I get a chance to better myself. Shooting with an iPhone has its limitations, but when you can get an amazing photo using one, it’s a lot more rewarding. Also there are so many applications available to iPhones that can replicate functions on DSLR cameras. My favorite photos to take are long exposures near water. When people see them, they don’t believe me when I say I used an iPhone. Ultimately though, I take photos because it allows me to portray my creativity in different ways.

Q:What does it mean to you to be on the DaFin team?

A: Zak reached out to me personally to tell me that I was on the DaFin swim fin team. It was so sick hearing that a company wants to support you, especially when the one telling it to you is your favorite photographer. It is such an honor being on the team with so many people I look up to and it’s super sick hearing them compliment your work. Last week one of my photos was printed and hung up on the wall at a photo gallery in San Clemente for all of the DaFin team artists. It was such a special experience having people come up to me and ask me questions about my photos. I’m really thankful to the founder of DaFin, Kenui and also Zak Noyle for giving me this chance to represent their products, it means a lot!

Luke hopes to make photography a career and wants to follow in the footsteps of his mentor and teammate Zak Noyle, who is a pro photographer from Hawaii.