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

Hi Nick, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Risks are necessary for the activities that I like to do in my life. Wether it’s shooting photos in some tough situations, or just having fun snowboarding in the back country, risk will always be involved. Everything that I consider fun involves a certain level of risk. Ive always been into action sports and there is for sure more risk doing those activities than I would say playing soccer or baseball. To get the shot, you have to step outside your comfort zone and maybe put yourself in a intimidating situation to get that “different photo”. Anyone can take a photo from the sidelines, but when you are actually in the middle of what you are shooting, you get a much better perspective. Im not saying to be reckless in certain, far from that, but if you calculate things and know what you’re doing risk can be very rewarding. It also gives you that rush, that feeling of adrenaline, which is why I like to do what I do.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
When it comes to my art and passion, Ive always liked to shoot a variety of subjects I never just stuck to one area in particular. I never considered my self a landscape photographer, however Im always in amazing places where I just had to take a photo of my surroundings. Actions sports has been my favorite over the years, specifically Bmx bikes, since that is what i’ve done most of my life. I grew up always riding a bike around with friends as a child and into my adult years. Id say a lot of my photography really was inspired by that sport and lifestyle when I was younger. Later on I got into surfing and started to become a surf photographer with a emphasis on water photography. Aside from being in the mountains and chasing the snow in the winter months, the ocean was also a big part of my life growing up. Being in the water and shooting someone while a wave is curling over the both you is pretty exhilarating. It’s a very unique perspective and not a lot of people shoot that type of stuff. Lifestyle photos and candid shots are some of my favorites too. Capturing the moment when people don’t realize what is going on gives me a great sense of joy. Usually when someone notices me taking a photos, thats when I put the camera away. The road has been a long, and not an easy one to get where I am today, and certainly not where I want to be just yet, but you just have to keep pushing forward and setting goals. Just keep shooting and enjoying the ride. I think it took awhile before I really found my style in photography but i’m pretty happy with how I’ve been shooting. Always looking forward to that next epic shot.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Whenever friends come to Colorado, I love to show them a great time. Usually we would start off up in the mountains. Get off the grid for a bit and hit the slopes. Copper mountain is one of my favorites resorts so would spend a few days there, hopefully with good snow in the winter. If it was summer, going for hikes and being outside in nature is the best. I would say all my friends agree with that too. Get out to some of the hot springs in the area is aways on the to-do list. I haven’t climbed any 14’s yet but they are on the agenda for summer and i’m sure I would get a crew to do a few with me. For sure would hit up some of the many breweries that Colorado has to offer. After a few days up in the mountains we would make our way down to the front range and check out a show at Red Rocks. Maybe hit up some sporting events down in Denver and get some good food. The grateful Gnome is always a must when I am down there.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Id like to shout out to all my family and friends over the years that have encouraged me to shoot photos and to pursue what it is I enjoy doing. Some of them have seen more in me than I ever could, and to them I want to say thanks for believing in me and pushing me to do better when I have doubted myself.

Website: StebenPhoto.com

Instagram: @terrible1stebs

Image Credits
Personal photo of myself – Dale Evans

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