10 Photographs That Define Who I Am

Horses had always been part of my life. My father, a Jeremiah Johnson wanna-be, had owned horses since his childhood. While I was always interested in the beasts that lived just outside my window, my equestrian life began at a stable near my home in Wasilla, Alaska. Cypress Equestrian taught me gentleness and strength, generosity and hard work, laughter and disappointment.

The wilderness of Alaska is probably the most defining aspect of my life. There, I could appreciate the size of the world. I could expend energy that many put toward worrying or dramatics. I could discover what defined me most — a need for adventure.

Photography didn’t come into my life until late. I was inspired by childhood mentors to create art whenever I could. Painting, drawing and sculpting were all interesting, but experiencing the moment of inspiration while creating art was important to me. Photography gave me a perfect opportunity to create while experiencing the world around me.

I’ve loved the ocean since my earliest memory of it. The power of the waves, the grace in a seagull’s flight, the mystery of an island — all lead me to the ocean every time I had the opportunity dip my toes in. In fifth grade my family traveled to Hawaii for the first time. There, my love for the ocean became an obsession. Since then it has been the largest source of inspiration, relief and reflection.

The summer after my high school graduation I had the opportunity to travel to South Africa with my family. We went to two game reserves. At the time, I was quite opposed to trophy hunting. At these reserves, however, I could see the benefits of commercial game management. It helped me to realize that everything I believed in could be wrong, and that critical thinking about all issues is important.

In July of 2014 I walked the Camino de Santiago from St. Jean-pied-de-Porte, France to Santiago, Spain — a 500 mile backpacking excursion. My walking partner was my then-72-year-old grandmother. On the walk I learned the value in perseverance, the hypocrisy in religion and the friendship in strangers.

On my Camino walk I learned that the best way to experience a place was walking. This past summer I had the opportunity to experience another place, Iceland, in the same way. Iceland changed my perspective on the world. For many years, many landscapes bored me. Alaska had spoiled me as a child. Iceland was different though. It thought me that difference isn’t necessarily bad, and every place on the planet has something new to offer if you’re willing to stop and smell the roses — or in the case of Iceland, sulfuric geothermal vents.

This is Delilah. She’s a white German shepherd that I had the privilege of growing up with. At the age of five I was attacked by a dog in a small shop off of the Parks Highway. Util Delilah, I had a crippling fear of all dogs. Her gentleness gave me a new perspective on animal behavior that has been beyond valuable in recent years.

Last but not least — this is my dysfunctional large family. A stew of motor-heads, artists, athletes, musicians, workaholics and devoted mothers. They’ve been there for me to support me through everything I wanted to try.

10 Photographs That Define Who I Am

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Written by Luke Hyce

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