The Hard Way Home: Stories and Photographs

Breathtaking photographs and deeply personal stories from a leading surfing and nature photographer, conservation advocate, and social media force.

Wayward is a collection of striking photographs and the revealing personal stories behind them by one of the leading surf, nature, and adventure photographers of our time. At remote beaches and locales in places like Russia, Norway, Iceland, and the Aleutian Islands, Chris Burkard suffered from hypothermia, destroyed thousands of dollars’ worth of camera gear, and spent a few nights in jail. But in the process, he captured amazing and iconic images that have defined his life’s work. And while millions have seen his photographs in magazines, marketing campaigns for Patagonia, Sony, and others, and via his social media, Burkard has never given a full account of these journeys--until now.

With never-before-seen images and the stories behind them, Burkard crafts an original narrative that combines the page-turning drama of a great explorer’s adventure story and the immediacy and power of unforgettable photographs. Chronicling both the failures and the successes he has experienced in building a career, Burkard shares an infectious passion for photography, surfing, and chasing dreams in some of the world’s most awe-inspiring places.

Chris Burkard is an accomplished explorer, photographer, creative director, speaker, and author. Traveling throughout the year to pursue the most remote places on earth, Burkard works to capture stories that inspire humans to consider their relationship with nature while promoting the preservation of wild places everywhere.