Today we’d like to introduce you to CJ Kale.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I was raised on the Waianae Coast of Hawaii. After a tour in the Navy as a rescue swimmer. I got out and returned home to be a boat Captain and Divemaster. The entire time I was working and also my time in the Navy, I spent photographing learning the art and perfecting my skills as a photographic artist. I slowly started selling my work and eventually opened a small kiosk on Alii Dave in the heart of Kona. I specialized in photographing Lava and surf. Eventually, I decided to combine the 2 and became the first photographic artist to photograph lava down the barrel of a wave while swimming just feet away from where the lava met the sea. This gains me some notoriety. Shortly after I was in many magazines, newspapers, documentaries and news programs like the Today show. I decided to expand and open one of the largest galleries on the Big Island in the Queen’s marketplace, part of the Hilton Resort area. As my gallery did better and better, I started to travel more and more, photographing all over the world. Now I find myself traveling to Utah, Colorado, Nevada, Arizona, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, Washington, California and Alaska almost every year. We live in a beautiful world and I am so happy to be able to travel and capture it.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There are always struggles but I find if you work hard and are persistent, you can overcome almost anything.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a local photographer from Hawaii. I specialize in Lava, Surf, Night, and Travel photography. I try to capture extreme scenes in ways most others do not dare attempt. I am known for Photographing lava from inside the surf while swimming next to it.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
The people in Utah make it special they are a fantastic complement to the beautiful landscapes. I have always been treated so well every time I visit and it keeps me coming back.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lavalightgalleries.com
- Instagram: @cj_kale_hawaii
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cj.kale/
Image Credits
CJ Kale
