Meet Owen Beim | Freelance Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Owen Beim and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Owen, what is the most important factor behind your success?
For me, it was mainly those early morning wake up calls for surf. During the spring through fall seasons, I would wake up at 4:3o AM and drive an hour to Newport Beach to shoot the infamous Wedge whenever there was swell. It was definitely taxing physically and somewhat mentally due to sleep deprivation, but the end result is always worth it. In winter, I always strike mission to Oahu for a week to shoot Pipeline and finally, this past trip, I got the photos I have been dreaming of in perfect 10-15 foot pipeline. I also travel with friends in the summer time and this past year we went to Tahiti to shoot the most dangerous wave in the world: Teahupoo. It was truly an eye opener of a trip, as we got two very solid swells there and connected with the locals in the small village.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My artwork/photos are simple, yet complex at the same time. Becoming a surf photographer is not an easy task whatsoever. Theres many factors to it: you have to be in the right mind set 24/7 in case things go wrong, you need proper equipment and you have to take risks. Ive had my fair share of days getting skunked with waves but then scoring some of the best waves of my life. Its all a balance. Ive learned to not be afraid to mix things up and try different styles and to take more unique photos because they mean a lot more to you in the long run. I started surf photography when I was 12 years old just simply with a GoPro hero 2, but now I have a Sony A7iii and Canon 80d with two water housings and I am extremely passionate nowadays and want to keep the ball rolling for the years to come.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Being based out of Carlsbad, I would take them to the spot I found my passion and grew up surfing and shooting: Beech Avenue, then take them to knockout burger for a nice burger and incredible seasoned fries for a post surf, then walk around down town Carlsbad and enjoy everything it has to offer. In San Diego, I know of some hidden gems (I cannot say because I like keeping the locations to myself), but each place is magical in some way. From La Jolla to Downtown San Diego to just 5 minutes from my house, San Diego county has everything you dream of as a 19 year old teenager.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Yes, 100% my sister. I come from a family full of camera directors for companies such as nascar, NFL, PGA and more, but my older sister is a professional photographer. She is the main influence behind me becoming a photographer. She has taught me all the fundamentals I need to know and we even started our own website selling our photos as prints. She is my rock.

Website: owenbeim.com and https://www.etsy.com/shop/A2OPhotoStudio

Instagram: @owenbeim

Youtube: Owen Beim

Other: Tiktok: @owenbeim

Image Credits
Image 1 (rainbow of me holding a Shaka): photo James Ferrell. Everything else was shot by me 🙂