Beyond the Lens: Life Lessons from Chris Burkard on Art, Adventure & Authenticity
- Court Whelan, Ph.D.
- 7 days ago
- 3 min read
If you know anything about the world of outdoor photography, chances are the name Chris Burkard rings a bell. But in my conversation on The Wild Photographer, we went far beyond the shutter clicks and drone shots. What emerged was not just a masterclass in photography, but a deeply honest, often vulnerable sharing of what it means to live a creative life with purpose, grit, and intentionality.
Here are some of the most powerful takeaways from that conversation—lessons that apply not just to photographers, but to anyone chasing meaningful work and a fulfilling life.
1. Master the Craft by Mastering the Conditions
Chris is revered for his aerial photography, but he’s quick to dismantle the fantasy. Getting "the shot" from a plane isn't about gear wizardry; it's about understanding your limitations and working with them.
"Your relationship with the pilot is everything," he told me.
From choosing the right window seat to wearing black to avoid window reflections, it’s the nuances that separate the decent from the extraordinary. His go-to lens combo? A wide-angle 16-35mm to get immersive, intimate landscapes—but only when the conditions allow.
Lesson: Great art comes from a deep understanding of your tools, your environment, and your limits.
2. Intention Supersedes Volume
In a world saturated with images, Chris urges us to pause.
"Don’t just spray and pray," he said. Whether you're shooting from a bush plane or the side of a road in Iceland, it’s the thoughtful, intentional images that truly tell a story.
Lesson: Take time to observe before you shoot. Fewer images with more soul beat a memory card full of mediocrity.
3. Creativity Loves Constraints
Contrary to what many believe, more options don’t lead to better results. Chris champions limitation as a creative fuel.
"The illusion that more choices make you more creative couldn’t be further from the truth," he said.
Whether it’s choosing a single prime lens for a day or forcing himself to work with challenging light, it’s these self-imposed boundaries that often yield the most striking results.
Lesson: Constraints aren't limitations—they're launchpads for innovation.
4. Storytelling Requires Sacrifice
When I asked Chris what makes a story powerful, his response was crystal clear: personal investment.
"Any good story will require some level of sacrifice," he explained. Whether it’s crawling out of a warm tent at 4AM for a sunrise timelapse or revisiting a location season after season, storytelling isn't passive. It's a commitment.
Lesson: If your story doesn’t cost you something—time, effort, discomfort—it might not be worth telling.
5. Start with the End in Mind
Chris's approach to projects is strikingly strategic. Before beginning a documentary or photo series, he visualizes the end product—and then reverse engineers it.
"People want directions to a place that doesn’t exist because they don’t know where they’re going," he said.
This isn't just for filmmakers. Even casual travelers with a camera should ask: Who is my audience? What am I trying to say? Where will this work live?
Lesson: Clarity of purpose sets the course for everything else.
6. Make Your Own Quotes
One of my favorite mic-drop moments from our conversation was when Chris said:
"Social media is where you make your own quotes."
He was talking about authenticity. About not regurgitating well-worn phrases over your photos but instead sharing the raw, real, sometimes messy truth of what you felt and saw.
Lesson: The world doesn't need more echo chambers. It needs your unique voice.
7. Evolve or Fade
When we zoomed out to the business side of photography, Chris didn’t sugarcoat it: *"The business changes. You have to evolve."
From speaker to author to filmmaker to creative consultant, he's never stopped learning. And it shows. He credits his resilience to being "a constant learner, a refiner of skillsets."
Lesson: Your job title might change. Your camera might change. But your commitment to growth should be constant.
8. Share the Wonder
What drives Chris today isn't bagging the next epic shot. It’s sharing wonder—with his kids, his followers, his audience.
"I've seen a lot of the world. If I never traveled again, I'd be content," he said. "But helping others experience it? That's the real gift."
Lesson: Passion multiplies when it's shared.
Final Thought
Whether you’re a weekend shooter or a working pro, Chris Burkard’s lessons land well beyond the camera. They’re about resilience, clarity, generosity, and the quiet power of being intentional with your time and talent.
Because at the end of the day, photography isn't just about what you see through the lens.
It's about what you bring to it.
Hope you enjoyed, and take a listen to the full episode for even more amazing insights!
Court
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