Season 2 of First Take With Chris Burkard features the Sony Artisan connecting and creating with a wide range of accomplished photographers. In Episode 5, Burkard is joined by talented photographer and director John Larracas. Originally from the Philippines, Larracas now calls Sacramento home, and is someone that Burkard says he’s watched pretty much his entire career. “He’s amazing at documenting endurance athletes and also training like one himself," Burkard says. "And I figured, well no better way to introduce him to what I love, than to take him to shoot surfing for the first time in Cayucos, California.” Watch as the two meet to discuss personal growth and finding balance while photographing surfing action.

A major part of Larracas’ success in photography is his ability to empathize through his storytelling, thanks to his very hands-on approach. “I work a lot with athletes, with people who are doing these sports,” Larracas explains. “And for me, to better understand what’s going on in their head, I need to be like in that pain cave. I need to experience what a training week looks like so when I work with them, I can better understand how to tell their stories because these are real people.” Building trust with the athletes is very important to Larracas so his clients feel like he’s on their team.

Larracas has never photographed surfing before – in fact, he’s never even worn a wetsuit. “I think the theme from last year to this year is balance. When work is going good, something will always have to give. And at what point are you ready to decide, this is what it’s going to be for the next few years? And I’m still trying to manage that, especially, you know I like this saying – when I was starting years ago: If you want to go fast, go alone. And then, years later I realized that I want to go far, so I want to start working with people.”

Using the Sony Alpha 7C paired with the Sony 24mm f/1.4 G Master, the two hop in the ocean to photograph some surfing action. Burkard shows Larracas the ropes to this completely new form of photography for him – a rare chance for a creative to be a student again. “I like being a student because it gives you the chance to learn things and without having the expectation of how things should be,” Larracas concludes.

See more videos like this one on the Alpha Universe YouTube Channel.