Chapter 1 / Sharing Stories
A Travel Story with Tim Aukshunas
Introduction: Courtney Chew
Words and Photography: Tim Aukshunas @tim_auks
Tim Aukshunas is a lifestyle photographer out of California, who reached out to us last year while we were prepping to head to LA for an upcoming trip. We immediately connected over our shared love for the oceans and the energy we both get from collaborating and ended up creating with Tim on an amazing shoot for our OCIN Magazine, featuring the wonderful Stacie Vanags and Annie McBride from Surfrider Foundation, LA Chapter.
We love Tim’s work — there is something beautiful and raw in the moments he captures, both in and out of the water, and his passion for photography and showcasing life in its most natural form is apparent.
Tim continues our ‘Travel Story Series with Friends’, this time taking us to Italy, where he traveled with his wife last May/June through Rome, Amalfi and Puglia. “It was right before the heavy tourist season, so it was awesome to pretty much have the beaches to ourselves!”
We are also excited to extend a 20% discount code this month, that can be put towards any print purchase on his website. Enter code Q7XU7SD at checkout on aukshunasphoto.com. *Please note, shipping times are seeing some delays, so if you're hoping to pick some prints up for holiday gifts, please give yourself ample time!
Check out Tim’s travel story below, and make sure to shop his prints on www.aukshunasphoto.com
Photo 1 Top Left: Swim off the coast of Positano at Pupetto Beach Club with my camera. It was the warmest day of our trip but water was cold. I'm a sucker for the half in, half out photo. Makes you feel like you are there...shivering and all! Totally worth the swim! Shot on Nikonos V 35mm camera.
Photo 2 Top right: Took a day trip to visit Polignano a Mare. They have a network of a couple caves right along the beach that are fun to explore. As the tide gets higher, you can see the water hit the rocks. This is an image of a father and son checking out the cave before the next wave hits. I love this image for a couple reasons. First, the dark tunnel is awesome, exposing them both and second, is the candid nature of the photo. I like the way they are standing and it gives life to the image. Photo was shot on a Leica M6 35mm camera.
Photo 3 Bottom Center: Cruising through the Rome train station before we head to Amalfi. Train stations are always interesting to me. Maybe being from S. California, it isn't a common mode of transportation and I do really like to see all the different types of trains - colors, shapes and the people. As I explore the station, I like to people watch too. This particular image stands out to me of these two waiting for their ride both looking the same direction. Love the candidness of the image and it makes you think about what they are looking. Shot with a Leica M6 35mm camera.
Photo 4 Top Left: The Puglia region is incredible! A friend recommended this area to visit - she called it the Italian Maldives. I highly suggest a visit. We stayed in Ostuni and made a day trip to Torre dell'Orso. The water is crystal blue, lined with rocky cliffs. The guy in the image was jumping off pretty much anything he could into the water, I followed him to this spot. It looks like he might be sizing up the jump or pumping himself up. Thought this was a really cool shot. Shot on the Leica M6 35mm.
Photo 5 Top Right: My wife and I put out our blankets along with a 6 pack of Heinekens at the jump off point at the top of Grotta della Poesia. It is about a 20 foot jump into the water hole with a network of caves. It's pretty amazing! This group of people all braved the jump. Shot on the Leica M6 35mm.
Photo 6 Above Center: The coast of Amalfi it stunning! Hands down one of the most spectacular landscapes! You can't take your eye off it. I had taken so many images on this trek from the fairy to Amalfi. I selected this photo for a couple reasons - first, it's impressively beautiful and I like the boat in the water. It adds perspective and shows how incredible and breathtaking Amalfi is! Shot on a Nikon 7200 DSLR camera.
Photo 7 Top Center: Preservation of traditional craft is at the heart of the Italian culture. Waiting for our ferry at Amalfi, I watched this man at the end of the dock fish with hook and line for about 45 minutes – no rod or weights, no bait. He was using the line and quickly wrapping around his hand as he pulled the line in to check his catch. This photo is so simple and shows the tradition that Italians hold on to. Shot on a Nikon 7200 DSLR camera.
Photo 8 Middle Left: The color of the beach chairs and umbrellas is classic Amalfi. It wasn't quite warm enough to fill them all out but that didn't stop us for hitting the beach. Shot on the Leica M6 35mm.
Photo 9 Middle Right: As I mentioned, I enjoy people watching...with a beer in my hand and camera around my arm. I thought this group of women strolling along the water was cool. The water looked so refreshing that day and these ladies were too casual. Shot on the Leica M6 35mm.
Photo 10 Bottom Center: When it hits 5PM, people stop working and enjoy their social lives. Leave work behind and focus on friends and family. That is something I can get used to. I remember sitting at our table with our beers watching a couple friends socialize over glass of wine. Shot on the trusty Leica M6 35mm.
Photo 11 Top Left: AirBnb is awesome! You find some hidden gems to stay at! This is our balcony overlooking the commune of Minori along the Amalfi Coast. I probably took this shot every evening at sunset! The layering of the homes through the valley impressive. Shot on the Leica M6 35mm.
Photo 12 Top Right: Much of our time was spent on beaches or in bars! We did do some sightseeing as well. This is the spiral staircase as we exited St. Peter's Basilica. Shot on a Contax T2 35mm.
Love Tim's work? Check out a selection of his prints at aukshunasphoto.com
100% of proceeds from his prints will be donated to Color of Change that leads the charge in support of racial equality. Stay inspired, stay kind, stay limitless.