UNC TV-MUSE 2018 EMMY AWARD WINNING "BEST ARTS FEATURE" [Outer Banks Surfing Photographer] Produced by: Katy Loebrich and Morgan Potts // Videographer: Jonathan Duran | Photograph: Duy Ho
Drawing from his intense passion (perhaps… obsession) for photography, Daniel's life + work centers around pursuing the mastery and excellence in photographic storytelling. He is a descendant of 9 Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Keepers and has deep roots in the Hatteras community. Fueled by his love of the ocean and surfing, he began to pursue his passion for art and photography in his teens. By his 20’s Daniel had gained notoriety for his unique style: a marriage of fine art, surf, and documentary photography. As a result of his success, in 2003, he founded Pullen Art & Photography, a business blending surf art & documentary photography with professional event and freelance photography. In 2016 Daniel opened “The Gallery” a studio featuring the best of his work, and space for people to gather, discuss and appreciate photography. In 2014, he began teaching 1:1 and group photography workshops. The result has been a new-found passion for teaching, and in 2018 he launched his first year-round workshop schedule. Daniel is a proponent of art education, and he regularly volunteers his time and expertise with local non-profit organizations, such as Outer Banks Community Foundation, Hatteras Island Youth Foundation, Little Pink Houses of Hope, Hatteras Cancer Foundation, Dare County Schools, Young Life, and Dare County Parks & Recreation. He served two years on the Board of Directors for the Dare County Arts Council. In 2016 he completed, Foundation Workshop, the world’s most intense wedding photojournalism workshop, as well as David Alan Harvey’s Storytelling workshop in Puerto Rico. He was selected as Dare County Artist of the Year in 2018. Daniel is set to publish his second book, “The Independent Waterman" soon.
Daniel and his wife Kate live in Buxton, with their two children Jackson (16) and Makenzey (14) and four- legged children Walter, Gerty, Crimson, Rae, Pokey, and Willow.
We founded Daniel Pullen Photography in 2003. At the time we were newly married, expecting our first child, and knew we were called to do something creative together -- and to pursue Daniel's passion for surfing, photography, and art. I left a job as a National Park Ranger to manage the business, while Daniel continued to work part-time at Natural Art Surf Shop, and paint murals + surf boards until we had "both feet on the ground." It was a whole different world back then... we were shooting film, coding our own website, sending out negatives and paper prints... and it would be seven years before we posted our first images on social media. Supported by an amazing community, and encouraged by our dear friend, Jinny McBride, we dove into the world of wedding and portrait photography. We are so thankful for God's leading, direction, and grace as we've learned from success, failure, and everything in-between. Now, over 16 years later we're still pursuing the same dream to make images that reflect how deeply we treasure our home, community, and the human connection that unites us all.
-kate