It’s an easy way of life on California’s Central Coast and local surfer and photographer Colin Nearman takes full advantage. The scenic coastline drew him into photography and that has allowed him to blend his passion for surfing and the ocean with a career in photography. Adventuring up the coast, skateboarding and chilling with friends, anything outdoors is free game here for Colin. This California native is proud to call the Central Coast home and owes it all to the person he is today.

Watch the full feature film on our YouTube channel.

Watch the full film on YouTube

Colin’s start in photography was based all around the ocean.  If it wasn’t for surfing, he wouldn’t have ever got started taking photos.  It evolved from him going on trips with friends and being around all these beautiful places all the time into asking himself, “why don’t I have a camera in my hand!”

“I think we’re all essentially products of our own environment.  The hills I drive through to go surf, the cold water I shoot in and the art community here on the central coast.  Both the landscapes and everything plays a huge roll in my photography and my surfing.  I have become the person I am today because of my home.”

“Ocean and landscapes are what drew me into photography the most. I think being able to capture something that is so simple but showing all the details inside that simplicity.”

“I can have a really bad day and go take a 3 hour drive to go shoot in the woods, go shoot the ocean or something and my minds better and not in a bad spot.”

“My start in photography was kinda based all around the ocean.  If it wasn’t for surfing, I wouldn’t have ever got started taking photos.  It evolved from me going on trips with my friends and being around all these beautiful places all the time into why don’t I have a camera in my hand.”

Let your worries go away

“It’s just an easy way of life up here, on any given day you can go cliff jumping and go surf right away. Anything outdoors inspired is free game up here. My favorite thing about living where I do, to the core, is just the simplicity of everything.”

Watch the full feature film on our YouTube channel.

Follow us on Instagram? If you do, rad, and you’ve probably seen a lot of Colin’s photos featured. If not, give us a follow and get a feel for the vibe of 805. Here’s a small sampling of Colin’s photos, many of which have been shared on our social channels.