Meet Mike Borchard — a photographer drawn to wild places and the people who thrive in them. Guided by a deep love for the ocean and the outdoors, Mike’s work is a reflection of connection — to nature, to others, and to the parts of ourselves that feel most alive outside.
Tell us about yourself
My name is Mike Borchard, and I am a photographer of wild places and unconventional people. In my free time, I enjoy surfing, spearfishing, hunting, and spending time outdoors with people who inspire me.
What first pulled you into this field — was there a specific moment you knew this was your path?
My love for the outdoors is what pulled me into the photo industry. I tried working an office job and figured out pretty quickly that being cooped up all day wasn’t going to work for me. I had been shooting photos as a hobby for a while, and I saw that skill set as a way for me to create a career where I was able to spend more time exploring, connecting with interesting people, and doing the things I love. Once I realized that I could use my camera as a way to gain access to all of these amazing people, places, and experiences, I was hooked.
Who or what continues to inspire your work today?
I am most inspired by other people who have chosen to live a lifestyle rooted in truth and connection to the natural world.
Is there a recent image or project that feels especially meaningful to you? Why?
A recent favorite is the image of a diver in a kelp forest from below. I’ve spent countless hours diving in the kelp beds surrounding the Channel Islands, and I have so many ideas for images saved in my brain from those experiences. For this particular image, the conditions all lined up, and I was able to create something that closely matched one of the visions I had in my head.
Any advice you would share with someone interested in entering the creative/photography world?
The best piece of advice I can give is this: your work has to have an opinion. Your unique perspective on the world is what will make your work unique. Technology has made it extremely easy to create “technically sound” imagery — photos that are pretty, exposed correctly, and in focus. These photos are a dime a dozen, and the world is bored by them. Instead, find what makes you tick, find what excites you, and double down on that. Form your own opinions about the things you care most about, and infuse these beliefs back into your imagery.
Outside of your work, what grounds or excites you most right now?
My sneaky hobby these days is cooking wild food. Going out hunting or spearfishing, bringing that animal back, exploring different ways of preparing it, and finally sharing those meals with friends and family — that gets me fired up!
When you’re seeking fresh inspiration, where do you find yourself turning — a place, a memory, etc.?
Always the ocean. I grew up as a beach kid, and the ocean always feels like home. Whether I am seeking inspiration, healing, or just a moment of calm, the ocean is always the first place I turn.
What do you hope people feel or carry with them after seeing your work?
I hope people are inspired to chase after the things that make them feel alive. For me, that’s always been interacting with the natural world as an active participant rather than a passive observer. As humans, we’ve domesticated ourselves enough to believe that we are separate from nature, but I think that is the greatest lie of the 21st century. I hope my work inspires people to get outside and rekindle that connection to the land — in whatever way makes the most sense for them.
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