Father's Day Featured Photographer—Kaylor Dastrup

With Father's Day just around the corner, we decided to spotlight landscape and action photographer, Kaylor Dastrup. Not only is Kaylor a talented photographer but he's also a father of two. We love seeing Kaylor in the store and we decided to get the scoop on what dad life is like for him.

1. Tell us a little about yourself. How did you get started in photography and where has it taken you?

I discovered my love for photography shortly after I became comfortable on a skateboard. I picked up a camera so I could capture those moments of my progression in skateboarding. Realizing after having the camera in my hands I preferred being behind the camera capturing someone else's love for skateboarding. Years passed and the same love for being behind the camera grew, but the stories I told changed. I've always loved being outside, but my love and understanding for the outdoors developed after my first backpacking trip when I was 16. I felt the need to share my love for the outdoors, in hopes to get more people outside and to motivate others to live their passions.

I get filled with gratitude thinking about the places photography has allowed me to see. It has taken me to new places physically and mentally. I still have so much to accomplish in my career, but the locations I’ve traveled to, and the people I’ve met have completely changed my life. For that, I’m so grateful.

2. How many kids do you have and what is your favorite way to spend time with your family?

I have two kids, Kozwell who is 3, and Reggie who is turning 1 later this year. My favorite way to spend time with them is taking them to places when they get to experience somewhere new for their first time. We try to camp as much as possible with them and expose them to new surroundings. The mountains are my happy place, and so far the kids feel the same way.

3. How do you manage your work/life balance?

Managing work/life balance is still something I'm trying to develop. I am gone a lot, and in fact, I will be gone this Father's day, on an assignment in Wyoming for Maverik. Luckily I have the best wife who supports me and understands how deeply passionate I am about being a photographer. Although I'm away from my family a lot, I'm extremely grateful for technology and being able to FaceTime them whenever I have service. It's difficult, but it has created a special unity when we are with each other. There are pros and cons to every career and everything. It's a bummer I am away from my family roughly 12 weeks out of the year, but to live a life without regrets and passion has created the best version of myself and has helped me be a better husband and father.

4. Although you primarily shoot landscape/action photography, do you find yourself taking photos of your family?

Simplest answer, kind of ha. When we're traveling I will always try and take a couple photos of them. I'm never chasing them around the house with a camera, my wife probably wishes I would. Although, I'm more likely to take photos of them when I bring my film camera with me. It feels more personal and allows me to capture a moment more authentically.

5. What's the best part about being a dad?

The privilege to love deeply, and to just freaking make them laugh. I love seeing them discover the world and learn something new in their own way. I have learned a lot about myself from watching them learn and discover something new. I've actually been able to apply certain learnings to my photography. Being a Dad is the raddest, hardest, most rewarding thing I have ever done. Yeah, kids are just rad!

6. What has been your favorite memory with your kids so far?

There was a time that Marissa (my wife) was working graveyards as a nurse when we only had Kozzy. Instead of sleeping at home when she was gone, I would quickly pack up the Subaru and go camping with Kozzy two or three times a week. He was only one at the time, but having that quality time really made me grateful for those experiences and is a time frame that I think about often.

Reggie is still really young, so more memories are coming. Our recent camping trip to the Tetons has to be my favorite memory with her so far. She loves everything about being outside and watching her discover new things makes time slow down for me. She’s pretty stoked on dirt and rocks right now.

Thanks, Kaylor for sharing some adorable photos of your family and letting us get a small glimpse of what it's like for you as a dad. To see more of Kaylor and his photography, you can follow him on Instagram.