Daily Inspiration: Meet Phil McKenzie

Today we’d like to introduce you to Phil McKenzie.

Phil, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
As a teenager, nothing got me more excited than skateboarding. I dreamed of going pro, but I didn’t quite have the chops to make it. In high school, I took a photo class, and suddenly my relationship with skateboarding shifted. I fell in love with capturing those fleeting moments. I found deep satisfaction in blending the skater’s talent with my creative vision to make something collaborative that surpassed what either of us could do alone.

In my early 20s, I traveled up and down the West Coast in my van, chasing skateboarding and soaking in that world. I even spent a brief stint living in San Francisco. In 2019, I moved back to Boulder. It was my first time experiencing the town without the weight of college. I had always been interested in snowboarding but hadn’t had many chances to pursue it, so I dove in. Within a year, I was shooting for Eldora, Copper, Burton, and other snowsports brands. I was still juggling part-time jobs at the time, but I used that momentum as a springboard to commit fully to freelance work in October of 2020.

Now, five years into my freelance career, I still shoot skateboarding, snowboarding, and cycling for the joy of it. I aim to channel the fun I’m genuinely having with my friends into work for brands that value skate-informed, experimental, and playful imagery. Visuals that stand out because they are rooted in something real.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road has been anything but smooth. Like many creatives, I have found the business side of running a creative practice to be the hardest part. In the early years, things felt simple. Most of my work came through word-of-mouth referrals, and I had a nice balance of free time and income, although it leaned more toward free time. I was green and optimistic.

As the years have gone on, I have found myself spending less time with a camera and more time emailing, planning shoots, building decks, managing taxes, handling health insurance, negotiating contracts, rescheduling projects, and dealing with all the administrative weight that comes with being a solo business owner. The deeper I go, the more I realize how important a strong foundation is but at the end of the day, I just want to make photos. It’s a contant push and pull.

One of the biggest challenges is that I am the product. When work slows down or a shoot does not go how I hoped, it can spark imposter syndrome. Choosing a less conventional path leaves plenty of room for doubt. In recent years, I have made a point to lean into rest, time away from the camera, and support from my community. What first pulled me into photography was the skateboarding world, and that sense of connection has stayed with me. The people around me, whether encouraging me, showing up in person, or hiring me, have been the foundation that keeps me going.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m mostly known for capturing skateboarding in a way that feels true and authentic, but with a creative edge. I lean heavily on wide-angle lenses, unusual perspectives, and unconventional spots, often places no one in their right mind would consider skateable.

Fourteen year old me would be ecstatic to know that I’ve been published in Thrasher over a dozen times, shot covers for skate magazines, and worked with some of my favorite musicians, brands, and athletes, all while having a blast along the way.

What sets me apart is my ability to move quickly, handle fast and difficult motion, and bring out the full creative potential of a photo without losing its purpose. Whether that purpose is to sell a product or document a trick, I stay focused on what matters. The real magic happens when I get to shoot moments that my friends and I would be living out anyway on a typical Saturday. If that moment includes a specific brand of hats or a beer in hand, even better. We walk away with imagery that feels honest and unforced, and everyone has a good time in the process.

How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I’m always available for hire for fun brand campaigns, creative portraiture, and documentary-style outdoor work, especially anything involving skateboarding, snowboarding, or cycling. You can reach out to me at philmckenziephoto@gmail.com or connect on Instagram at @philmckenziephoto.

If you’re interested in seeing more of my work, my portfolio is available at philmckenziephoto.com.

I’ve also been getting a lot of requests for prints lately, so I’m in the process of building a print shop. It will be available soon at philmckenzie.shop.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://philmckenziephoto.com
• Instagram: philmckenziephoto

Image Credits
Phil McKenzie