What do you think?
Rate this book
Wayward: Stories and Photographs
Breathtaking photographs and deeply personal stories from a leading surfing and nature photographer, conservation advocate, and social media force
Wayward is a collection of striking photographs and the revealing personal stories behind them by one of the leading surf, nature, and adventure photographers of our time. At remote beaches and locales in places like Russia, Norway, Iceland, and the Aleutian Islands, Chris Burkard suffered from hypothermia, destroyed thousands of dollars' worth of camera gear, and spent a few nights in jail. But in the process, he captured amazing and iconic images that have defined his life’s work. And while millions have seen his photographs in magazines, marketing campaigns for Patagonia, Sony, and others, and via his social media, Burkard has never given a full account of these journeys--until now.
With never-before-seen images and the stories behind them, Burkard crafts an original narrative that combines the page-turning drama of a great explorer’s adventure story and the immediacy and power of unforgettable photographs. Chronicling both the failures and the successes he has experienced in building a career, Burkard shares an infectious passion for photography, surfing, and chasing dreams in some of the world’s most awe-inspiring places.
Wayward is a collection of striking photographs and the revealing personal stories behind them by one of the leading surf, nature, and adventure photographers of our time. At remote beaches and locales in places like Russia, Norway, Iceland, and the Aleutian Islands, Chris Burkard suffered from hypothermia, destroyed thousands of dollars' worth of camera gear, and spent a few nights in jail. But in the process, he captured amazing and iconic images that have defined his life’s work. And while millions have seen his photographs in magazines, marketing campaigns for Patagonia, Sony, and others, and via his social media, Burkard has never given a full account of these journeys--until now.
With never-before-seen images and the stories behind them, Burkard crafts an original narrative that combines the page-turning drama of a great explorer’s adventure story and the immediacy and power of unforgettable photographs. Chronicling both the failures and the successes he has experienced in building a career, Burkard shares an infectious passion for photography, surfing, and chasing dreams in some of the world’s most awe-inspiring places.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 1, 2022
28 people are currently reading
254 people want to read
About the author
Chris Burkard
15 books40 followersChris Burkard is an accomplished explorer, photographer, creative director, speaker, and author. Traveling throughout the year to pursue the farthest expanses of Earth, Burkard works to capture stories that inspire humans to consider their relationship with nature, while promoting the preservation of wild places everywhere.
Layered by outdoor, travel, adventure, surf, and lifestyle subjects, Burkard is known for images that are punctuated by untamed, powerful landscapes. Through social media chris strives to share his vision of wild places with millions of people, and to inspire them to explore for themselves.
His visionary perspective has earned him opportunities to work on global, prominent campaigns with Fortune 500 clients, speak on the TED stage, design product lines, educate, and publish a growing collection of books. Along with his team, Burkard is based out of his production studio and art gallery in the Central Coast of California.
At the age of 31, Burkard has established himself as a global presence and influencer. He is happiest with his wife Breanne raising their two sons Jeremiah and Forrest in his hometown of Pismo Beach, California
from https://www.chrisburkard.com/Pages/About
Layered by outdoor, travel, adventure, surf, and lifestyle subjects, Burkard is known for images that are punctuated by untamed, powerful landscapes. Through social media chris strives to share his vision of wild places with millions of people, and to inspire them to explore for themselves.
His visionary perspective has earned him opportunities to work on global, prominent campaigns with Fortune 500 clients, speak on the TED stage, design product lines, educate, and publish a growing collection of books. Along with his team, Burkard is based out of his production studio and art gallery in the Central Coast of California.
At the age of 31, Burkard has established himself as a global presence and influencer. He is happiest with his wife Breanne raising their two sons Jeremiah and Forrest in his hometown of Pismo Beach, California
from https://www.chrisburkard.com/Pages/About
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
October 22, 2022
Fantastic read for anyone who loves nature, photography, adventures and pushing towards your dreams. Chris Burkard has been an inspiration for me to challenge and push my photography boundaries for over 7 years! He continues to be one of my favorite photographers. Thanks for sharing about your experiences.
May 18, 2023
A photographic journey supplemented with the adventures that produced said photographs. This was an absolute joy to thumb through and knowing the backstory to some of my favorite photographs taken by one of my favorite photographers made them all the more tantalizing. I guess if I’m being truly honest this probably deserves a slightly lower rating (4.75?) because Chris Burkard is not a writer and the stories leave some literary talent to be desired. That being said, 80% of the book is made of jaw dropping photographs and the writing is sufficient to paint an additional picture of the sense of adventure that the pictures convey. Also acknowledging my huge bis due to a 10 year obsession with surfing, especially the idea of cold water surfing odysseys and this particular photographer.
May 18, 2024
Images - 5
Stories - 4.9
Writing - 4
Photography learnings - 3.5
A really fun, colorful, graphic book with interesting stories. Picked it up hoping to learn something about photography, which I did. As a surfer, it was very easy to enjoy the subject matter - most of each chapter was about documenting a surf trip.
Glad I stumbled across this one at Barnes and Noble.
Stories - 4.9
Writing - 4
Photography learnings - 3.5
A really fun, colorful, graphic book with interesting stories. Picked it up hoping to learn something about photography, which I did. As a surfer, it was very easy to enjoy the subject matter - most of each chapter was about documenting a surf trip.
Glad I stumbled across this one at Barnes and Noble.
December 12, 2022
A good read more than a photo book: Burkard goes step-by-step through his career, from the origins to the latest expeditions in Iceland, remarking the change in the photojournalistic landscape.
When a memoir and a photo book meet halfway, that’s where this book finds its spot
When a memoir and a photo book meet halfway, that’s where this book finds its spot
October 3, 2023
Great stories from Chris Burkard photographer career with amazing pictures. Passion, craziness and a bit of hope.
"In life there is no shortcut to joy; anything worth pursuing requires us to suffer just a little bit." (c)
"In life there is no shortcut to joy; anything worth pursuing requires us to suffer just a little bit." (c)
January 31, 2023
More of an autobiography than a typical photobook which just shows how much drive and passion Chris Burkard has for his craft. Well worth a read even though I've never tried to surf in my life.
February 21, 2023
I’m not into surfing and I loved it. The writing is occasionally a bit ‘surf’ but not as much as it could be. The story is simply one of someone constantly pushing to go further. Inspiring.
March 17, 2024
Fun read and even better photos… you’ll need to dress warm to get through it 😁
July 21, 2024
3.75 stars.
Amazing photographs, and fascinating behind-the-scenes stories.
Amazing photographs, and fascinating behind-the-scenes stories.
April 10, 2025
goddamn gorgeous surf pics and some cool ass stories
August 13, 2025
Really amazing pictures and great stories. I loved the last one in Iceland with the snow storm and the aurora borealis.
May 14, 2022
So good!!
Chris Burkard has been my favorite photographer for years. I’m not a surfer, but the sublime way he captures remote and natural places always fill me with wonder. I picked up his Califórnia Surf Project book years ago, as it captured spots along the Lost Coast where I grew up and I have followed him since with a mix of awe, respect and unbelief at that places he captured.
In Wayward I got to hear the stories and the behind the lens view of what goes into the shots and I’m even more impressed. It was parts memoir, parts photo book and parts travelog. I loved all parts of it. He also invited collaborators and friends to write little vignettes from their perspectives and these were great.
Highly recommend. If you aren’t familiar with Chris, this is the perfect book to purchase. It also makes for a nice small coffee table book!
Chris Burkard has been my favorite photographer for years. I’m not a surfer, but the sublime way he captures remote and natural places always fill me with wonder. I picked up his Califórnia Surf Project book years ago, as it captured spots along the Lost Coast where I grew up and I have followed him since with a mix of awe, respect and unbelief at that places he captured.
In Wayward I got to hear the stories and the behind the lens view of what goes into the shots and I’m even more impressed. It was parts memoir, parts photo book and parts travelog. I loved all parts of it. He also invited collaborators and friends to write little vignettes from their perspectives and these were great.
Highly recommend. If you aren’t familiar with Chris, this is the perfect book to purchase. It also makes for a nice small coffee table book!
May 8, 2022
This was such a fun read for me, as a photographer! I loved reading all of the fun stories of Chris's travels and adventures and was extremely giddy looking at all of the amazing photos! I also enjoyed the side stories shared from the perspective of others on the adventures. Really cool book overall!
January 22, 2022
Great stories supplemented by amazing pictures throughout the book. Book and print quality is superb. Literally went through the entire book in one night. Would highly recommend to anybody.
+ wonderful coffee table book for the house
+ wonderful coffee table book for the house
February 22, 2022
Beautiful photography complemented by entertaining stories! This book is an amazing display of taking risks and the beauty of life.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews