On this episode of The PHYS Podcast, Tyson Martin sits down with Canadian photographer and outdoor storyteller Sara Kempner for a conversation about adventure photography, action sports, creativity, and the landscapes that continue to shape her vision.

Born and raised on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Sara developed a deep connection to the natural world at an early age. Surrounded by rugged coastlines, dense forests, mountains, rivers, and endless outdoor opportunities, photography became a way to document and celebrate the places that inspired her.

Like many photographers, Sara's creative journey began with landscape photography. Drawn to the quiet beauty and power of nature, she spent countless hours exploring the wilderness with a camera in hand, learning how light, weather, and environment could transform a scene into a story.

Over time, her passion for adventure and action sports naturally expanded her creative focus.

Today, Sara combines her love of landscapes with the energy and intensity of outdoor athletics, creating compelling images that showcase both the beauty of the environment and the resilience of the people who move through it. From mountain biking and trail running to racing events and outdoor adventures, her photography captures the relationship between human performance and the landscapes that challenge and inspire us.

Tyson and Sara discuss the evolution of her photography, the influence Vancouver Island continues to have on her work, and why she refuses to limit herself to a single creative label.

In This Episode:

• Sara Kempner's journey from landscape photography to adventure and action sports photography
• How growing up on Vancouver Island shaped her creative vision
• The connection between nature, exploration, and storytelling
• Capturing athletes in challenging outdoor environments
• Why landscapes remain an important foundation of her work
• The role resilience and perseverance play in both photography and adventure sports
• How photography helps strengthen our connection to the natural world
• Why she continues to push creative boundaries and resist labels

This conversation explores the relationship between people and place, and how photography can reveal the beauty, challenge, and emotion found where nature and human experience meet.

Sara's work reminds us that the most powerful photographs often come from a genuine connection to the subjects we choose to photograph. Whether documenting a dramatic landscape or an athlete pushing beyond their limits, her images celebrate exploration, curiosity, and the spirit of adventure.

Whether you're a landscape photographer, outdoor enthusiast, mountain biker, trail runner, adventure athlete, or someone who simply loves stories rooted in nature, this episode offers inspiration and insight into building a creative life connected to the outdoors.

The greatest stories are often found beyond the edge of our comfort zone.

Follow Sara Kempner
Instagram: @sarakempner
Website: www.sarakempnerphotography.ca