Stories By Dalton

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Santa Cruz, CA
Stories By Dalton

Photographer, filmmaker, and author specialized in telling untold adventure stories from around the globe

Our goal at The Adventure Travel Network is to help you discover your next adventure destination. So, if you love adventuring outdoors and traveling, you've found your new home:
https://the-adventure-travel-network.com/

11/06/2025

Dear Younger Self,

You hate it when people say to you,"oh, you're just lost. You'll find your way with time." And here's the thing, 10 years have past and people are still saying the same thing to you. But, they were right back then and maybe still right today.

Time is a funny thing. We, humans, made it up and change it twice a year because we can. But, here's the thing, your life in this body, born with this privilege, and this opportunity to share your musings with the world will come and go. As bleak as this sounds, I know you are making the most of every second.

I'm proud of you for that.

Don't change that in you.

I know, right now, you are sleeping in a tent on the side of the road, or the back of Mercury Mariner that you can't fully lay down in, just so you can see as much of the world as possible, but take a little bit more time in each spot. Breath, sip tea, watch the sun move across the sky, and keep talking with strangers.

Keep following your passion for writing and photography. It is going to be your key to seeing the world. You're going to travel above the arctic circle to watch the northern lights. You're going to cruise below the antarctic circle, with Mom, while seeking stories to tell around luxury tourism and avian flu. All of this will come, in time, if you remain consistent.

There will be many nights where you cry yourself to sleep alone, feeling like a failure, a waste of life, but this is part of YOUR process. It will hurt, badly, but find those little moments that bring you joy.

And, yes, to answer your long standing question:

If you plan spontaneous time into your calendar, it is still spontaneous.

Stay inquisitive,

Dalton

11/05/2025

I'll forever be in awe of landscapes that seem inhabitable.

I don't know why, but I'm drawn to places that seem like humans don't belong, yet have thrived for thousands of years.

Without question, Monument Valley is a powerful place that attracts people for an obvious reason, the stunning power of the landscape.

That is what attracted me at first as well.

Then,

I made a couple of trips and started to realize this place isn't just about a stunning landscape, but more the connection we have as humans to these places. Without getting too woo-woo on you all here, but I'm not surprised Hollywood has been attracted to these desert towers and the Navajo have called this home (something I barely know about and want to learn more).

I want to write more and pour out some emotions around this trip to Monument Valley, but here and now doesn't seem like the appropriate time. So, for now, enjoy these images and I hope you find some awe in this landscape.

Best,

Dalton

10/30/2025

Who still uses day rates when hiring a photographer? This is what I'm seeing...

Part of the industry is clinging to day rates meanwhile another part of the industry is looking towards photographers to be the producer, creative director, editor, photographer, etc.

In other words:
1/2 the industry still relies on the "old model"
1/2 the industry is looking for a new model

Now, that is a bit confusing so, let us dive into which half is doing what.

The 1/2 of the industry using the old model of day rates, photo reps, etc. are the legacy brands and agency world. So, think Satchi & Satchi, Coca-Cola, Ford, Oglivy, Garmin, etc. Why? Because it is the model they have built and it works. Moreover, they are more confined to budgets given to them and set day rates let them know if they can afford the photographer.

Meanwhile, the brands who are social first, or just a younger more agile brand, are moving away from day rates with photographers because they are handing over a full project to the photographer and letting them "do their thing". This is most common in the social space, but larger and larger brands are following this model. So, what does it really look like?

Brand has an idea, reaches out to the photographer and says, "We have $5k, can you build a library of images for us to use on social around product x?"

The photographer can negotiate, but for the sake of simplicity, let's just say they agree. That photographer is now acting as a solo-agency (assuming they don't have a team), so they are;
-storyboarding
-finding models and paying them
-location scouting and doing the permitting
-getting things approved by brand
-building and paying for the team
-shooting the project
-culling the images
-editing
-delivering

That's the life of a solo-agency owner.

Was this helpful? If so, I'd appreciate you letting me know with a DM or a comment. And, if you want to know more about the adventure creative space, give me a follow. I post about it every week! Lastly, I do have an e-book to help adventure photographer's go from nothing to booked in 18 months. Check that out here;
https://dalton-johnson.com/prints/the-adventure-photographers-playbook

10/29/2025

As winter approaches, anyone else feel this way too?

The swells get stronger and the coastline comes alive. Swimming with a camera becomes harder, but that is part of the game.

The personal challenge is to hold a position and create some art with the waves.

Personally, I am massively inspired by photographers like Ben Thouard, Russel Ord, and Fred Pompermayer for all things ocean, surf, and wave related.

I can say, I am grateful to know and have shadowed Fred at Mavericks as well as gotten a drunk email response from Russel. At least, Russel hinted at having one to many in the email, I wouldn't have known otherwise.

So, here's to the building excitement as I continue building my skill and portfolio in the water this winter in Baja.

For now, enjoy these awkwardly cropped images ✌️ aka horizontal is much better!

10/28/2025

Ever wonder how to structure your photo licensing contracts?

Photo Licensing is very confusing IF YOU LET IT be confusing. So, keep your life simple and understand the following:

Usage: Where will it live?

Duration: How long do they want it for?

Exclusivity: Can you sell it to anyone else?

Here are some common asks:
~full digital: this includes every aspect of digital marketing like newsletters, ebooks, internal, social, website, blogs, etc.
~organic and paid social: only to be used on social media but for both paid ads and organic
~print: magazine ads, expo banners, in-store advertisement, etc.
~1 time use: think cover of a magazine
~6, 12, or 24 months: most companies will not use an image past two years as their marketing efforts have probably changed

Try to avoid “into perpetuity” because this means they will have the images forever and you will lose all passive income from these images.

If this was helpful, consider picking up a copy of The Adventure Photographer's Playbook because this photography tip comes from page 34 and it's full of more helpful info for photographers. E-book linked below:
https://dalton-johnson.com/prints/the-adventure-photographers-playbook

10/27/2025

There are stupid ideas and then there are creative itches you have to scratch. This hike to a "hidden waterfall" in Alaska was kinda both.

Kristin packed a dress in her backpack and mine was full of camera gear.

Leaving the trailhead, there was no obvious way to this waterfall. In fact, you cross a tiny "bridge" then just hop off the side into the wash.

After crawling through some bushes a crazy wooden ladder that feels like it is going to disintegrate under your feet appears and you crawl down it. Then, you repeatedly crawl down ropes or ladders or slippery slopes until you start getting sprayed by water and hear a roar similar to that of a jet engine from around a corner.

Approach with caution, but finally, you have arrived.

Just remember, you have to crawl back out to get home!

The end result:
1) a great time wandering through the woods
2) I wrote my highest performing blog about this hike and it makes a few dollars a day (for the past three years straight)
3) licensed a handful of images to Big Agnes, a travel company, and a tourism board
4) a memory I look back upon fondly and dream of making more memories like this

Aka that silly itch really blossomed into a great outing.

10/26/2025

They tossed us the keys and said have fun, little did they know we were going to go crazy!

Polaris Adventures sponsored a video series I was directing in Sedona, AZ two winters ago and WOW they were trusting. I mean, I guess if we broke one of these things we had to buy it, but, they really just tossed us the keys and let us do our thing.

So, for two days we ripped around Sedona's trails day and night.

Hitting 70mph on trails... no problem
Attempting to jump it... we couldn't find a big enough ramp
Blast the stereo so loud it's all you can hear... all day, every day

What do you think, after reading this will Polaris Adventures loan me one of these again for another video series?

In all seriousness, the video series went well and dropped earlier this year on CarbonTV, so head over there and watch it if you are considering going to Sedona this winter.

Also, you can check out the full gallery and link to the video here as well:
https://dalton-johnson.com/polaris-adventures

10/25/2025

I am greatly indebted to road trips.

Not because I spent all of my money on fuel (although that might have happened early on in my career) but road trips have consistently been at the core of my body of work.

You might not recognize that when looking at this collection of images because only three images showcase a road or a car, but all of these frames come from a road trip. Most of these road trips were 6 weeks, or longer, or come from my years living van life.

8 years full time of van life if I really wanted to try to flex how hip I used to be.

However, it wasn't the freedom of the open road that really gave me all that much. No. It was access to capture those in between moments of daily life like:
~a stunning moon rise while sitting outside
~seals fighting for a spot on the beach, but honestly looking very silly
~stunning sunrises and sunsets all over the western United States

Honestly, just feeling grateful I get to head back down to Baja this winter for a 6 week road trip starting in December. I have room for two more brands to get involved in this project. Full brief is linked below:
https://dalton-johnson.com/vamos-a-baja

10/24/2025

The volcano glowed red in the night as magma bubbled a few hundred feet below.

We didn't start our day here, this was actually the end to an amazing day exploring the area surrounding the capital.

Our day started zip lining over sustainable coffee farms in a cloud forest. Each time I clipped into the line and edged my way to the platform terminus, my heart rate spiked. Leaping off the wooden safety, the zipline would catch me, I would be start to feel like I was floating across the sky.

While I don't have super-powers I wouldn't mind being able to fly.

Knowing my heart works from all the rapid spikes, Kristin and I enjoyed some coffee from the far and headed for a

But before we headed out, a rare frog was spotted. At this time I have forgotten the name of this frog, but everyone was pretty excited I had a camera to take a picture of it. If anyone can ID the frog, drop that in the comments.

A belly full of coffee and still riding that adrenaline spike, my adrenal glands were being tested today. But, we were headed for a calming boat ride around Lake Nicaragua; filled with feeding monkeys by hand, seeing a swarm of butterflies, and learning about the historical significance of this lake.

P.S. While I am still pinching myself, this recap comes from day 3 of 6 while on an assignment for Rancho Santana Nicaragua capturing images and writing about the experiences this surf resort offers. Truly a special assignment I won't soon forget.

10/23/2025

The camera has been my cheat code to life.

Unlocking opportunities I only dreamed about as a kid, the camera has been a driving force for me over the past 10 years.

I say this not as a humble brag, but a reflection upon where I am now.

With a childhood goal to "spend a week on every continent" I've pursued opening as many doors as possible with my camera. As a little boy, I thought writing was going to be my ticket to travel, and it has, but only when I add my imagery to the written work.

Internally, I am still wrestling with the selfishness of traveling, the art form of storytelling via photography and writing, and the egotistical nature of memoir writing.

At 32, I can't say I have figured it out, but my childhood self who dedicated 4 hours every day to the pool so I could "leave home and get out" would be proud to know I have spent more than a week on every continent!

Photo 1: DP & Photographer for an expedition on Aconcagua
Photo 2: Photographer & Writer for an editorial assignment about Norwegian winter and the Sami people
Photo 3: Photographer & Writer for kayaking in Antarctica
Photo 4: Photographer & Writer for a tourism company in Egypt
Photo 5: Photographer & Writer for a cruise ship assignment while stopped in Bozcaada, Turkey
Photo 6: Photographer & Writer for a tourism project in Western Australia
Photo 7: DP & Photographer making a documentary while climbing Denali

You can see my full body of work, which has assignments from around the globe, on my portfolio:
https://dalton-johnson.com/portfolio

10/22/2025

I laugh at the duality of my life in any given month and it kinda goes like this:

The first week, I am off in the woods without any cell phone service documenting an athlete, or artist, doing something cutting edge.

The next week, I am creating marketing assets for a luxury resort or cruise ship, typically around their experiences, with anything I could ever want at my fingertips. All I have to do is ask.

Then the third week, I am at home, playing with my dog, hanging with my partner, and remodeling our condo.

The last week, I'm creating lifestyle content for a brand to push out on social. Which means I'm doing something that's Instagramable, which means it's aspirational yet not too adventurous the content excludes people from the brand.

With the deepest gratitude for all the clients I work with, thank you for making my life unique :-)

PS if you want to see my body of work, photo or video, check out my portfolio:
https://dalton-johnson.com/portfolio

10/21/2025

Tropical paradise hidden an hour boat ride away from Belize City, Belize.

Before my plane touched down in Belize, all I really knew about this country was that there were Mayan ruins. Honestly, I didn't know Belize had a coastline, a big blue hole (IYKYK), fishing, atolls (I didn't even know this word before this assignment), or that their currency is quite high because of the countries relationship with the UK.

But, after four packed days, my memory cards were full, I was sunburnt, and blown away by this pristine property.

The crazy part about this assignment...

They put me up in the honeymoon suite, so I had my own "soaking pool" and covered balcony that was about 400 square feet.

Anyways, if you want to check out this full project gallery, it's linked below:
https://dalton-johnson.com/turneffe-island-resort-resort

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Santa Cruz, CA

Website

https://dalton-johnson.com/

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My Story

Getting into photography was kinda a fluke. It was my last quarter at University when I told my best mate to pick a class for us to take together. That bu**er picked an upper division photo class! First, I had to beg the professor to let me in with zero experience; luckily she permitted. Then, I had to find a camera I could borrow for the next three months. Every time I touched this camera I was afraid I was going to break it. As a matter of fact, I did break a minor part and had it fixed with haste! Once that class finished, I didn't touch another camera, besides my phone, for a year. Missing the thrill of capturing the adventure, I saved up and here we are today.

Upon graduation I have wandered. Living in one place no longer than a few months, my world continually expands as I see new places and meet countless people from all walks of life. My finger has not pinpointed why I love the continual change, but one thing has been consistent through it all, the camera.

Luckily, a fluke has turned into a living. My specialty is telling a story through images and a few words. Mostly I shoot surfing, climbing, and yoga because those are my passions and allign with my four core values; vulnerability, growth, freedom, and sustainability. However, I've been known to capture the stories of pets, people, and panoramas. If you have a story you would like captured, please get in touch!