Travis Burke Photography

Travis Burke Photography Photographer. Athlete. Dream Chaser. From deep space to the depths of the oceans and everything in between.
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This morning, as I stood between the two palm trees, with a lightning storm approaching and the universe overhead, I fel...
04/15/2026

This morning, as I stood between the two palm trees, with a lightning storm approaching and the universe overhead, I felt small in the best kind of way.

For most of human history, skies like this were something we all shared. We lived by the stars. They guided us and kept us connected to something far bigger than ourselves.

Now, over 80% of the world lives under light-polluted skies, and for many, this view no longer exists. It’s not just about us, artificial light is disrupting entire ecosystems that rely on darkness to survive.

Photographing and learning about the night sky has always been one of my biggest passions, and with this week being International Dark Sky Week, I wanted to share a simple reminder:
Our night skies are changing fast, but we still have the chance to protect them.

When was the last time you saw a sky like this?

(Self-portrait, shot alone on a remote beach in Costa Rica)

Camera Settings:
Shutter Speed: 15 sec
Aperture: f/2.8
ISO: 6400

I spent the last four months wandering Costa Rica.
With a camera, a couple of surfboards, and a lot of curiosity.Explori...
03/13/2026

I spent the last four months wandering Costa Rica.
With a camera, a couple of surfboards, and a lot of curiosity.

Exploring places that are still wild. Places where I found jaguar footprints in the sand, and hidden waterfalls deep in slippery jungles with no trail.

Living out of a vehicle has a way of simplifying things.

You carry gear that has to last.
You repair what breaks instead of replacing it.
Sometimes you even build entirely new systems just to stay out in nature a little longer.

Over time, you start to appreciate the craftsmanship behind the tools that make this life possible.

Cameras that have been my companions for years.
Surfboards that have taken me down thousands of miles of coastline.

And with every year that passes, I realize the moments that stay with me aren’t always the big flashy ones. They’re the ones that could easily pass by unnoticed.

A quiet lineup at sunrise.
The sound of raindrops on the roof of Luna at night.
Conversations about distant stars being born while staring up at the universe.
The grateful words of a stranger who needed help starting their car.

Photography is simply my way of holding onto those moments a little longer.
And I know that without photography, none of this would have been possible to begin with.

Here are a few small fragments from the last four months.
Today I’m grateful for every mile of this journey.

Wow, I can’t believe I managed to capture yesterday’s total lunar eclipse while camping next to one of the most active v...
03/04/2026

Wow, I can’t believe I managed to capture yesterday’s total lunar eclipse while camping next to one of the most active volcanoes on Earth! 

We hiked to the summit of Acatenango 13,045 ft (3976 m) and camped above the clouds with a direct view of the explosions of Volcán de Fuego erupting roughly every 15 minutes.

At the same time, the sun, earth, and moon were all somehow perfectly aligned as we spin at 67,000 mph (107,000 km/h) through space. The Universe and this little rock we live on are humbling, mind-blowing, and inspiring.  

The first image is a composite captured over several hours as the eclipse unfolded. The exposure shifts dramatically from full moon to totality, which makes moments like this both technically challenging and fun to experiment with. This is why I fell in love with photography, it pushes me to places that feel bigger than me.

Huge thanks to .acatenango.campify for the incredible experience, and for helping make this adventure possible. It was so cool to be able to hike a portable telescope up a mountain.

Wow! I can’t believe we got the shot of my dreams! Tomorrow is the last supermoon of the year. Make sure you go outside...
12/03/2025

Wow! I can’t believe we got the shot of my dreams!
Tomorrow is the last supermoon of the year. Make sure you go outside and enjoy it!

This project is really special to me because it combines three of my biggest passions: skateboarding, astronomy, and photography.

After weeks of planning, scouting locations, and obtaining permits, a once-in-a-century flood destroyed the road to my original location. With the supermoon approaching fast and some camera equipment still delayed in shipping, I had to find a new location with clear skies and the right topography.

We ended up driving three hours into the desert and spending the day skating at the incredible in 110°F (43°C) heat. All day, I felt the pressure, knowing that we only had one chance to capture the final image as the sun went down.

As Sean ran up the mountain, I raced into position almost a mile (1.6 km) away, hoping that I had made all the correct calculations. In those few brief seconds, when everything lined up perfectly, it truly felt like a dream come true! Huge thanks to and for helping to make this possible!

If you’ve read this far, please leave a comment or share this post with someone who might enjoy it! Your support goes a long way. Don’t forget to step outside at night and look up!

Surrounded by volcanoes and Mayan history, this giant crater lake made us feel like we were stepping back in time. From ...
10/19/2025

Surrounded by volcanoes and Mayan history, this giant crater lake made us feel like we were stepping back in time.

From hiking sketchy drop-off trails at 3 am to trying traditional meals at local markets and sharing fireside stories where Mayans once gathered, everything about this place feels special.

We battled the elements to get here and made sure to do our part in leaving it better than we found it by picking up trash wherever we visited.

The rain didn’t make it easy, but with a bit of patience (and luck), I managed to capture a glimpse of Lake Atitlán’s beauty. I already can’t wait to be back in a few months to experience and document even more.

One year through Mexico. A journey of people, connection, stillness, and growth.Following dirt roads, shared meals, and ...
08/14/2025

One year through Mexico. A journey of people, connection, stillness, and growth.

Following dirt roads, shared meals, and quiet moments ingrained more lessons in me than any amount of books or screen time ever could.

I learned from artisans whose knowledge had been passed down in the same small towns for centuries, wandered through Mayan ruins swallowed by jungle, and surfed empty waves along the wild coast.

These moments felt sacred, so I chose to shoot each of them in black and white. Something about it feels more honest and timeless.

This series is a little different from my usual style. Let me know if it speaks to you, and if you’d like to see more along my journey south.

Gracias por todo México 🙏🏼

It’s rare that International Surfing Day and Go Skateboarding Day land on the same date—and for me, that’s something spe...
06/21/2025

It’s rare that International Surfing Day and Go Skateboarding Day land on the same date—and for me, that’s something special.

Though I’m a photographer by trade, both skateboarding and surfing have shaped my life in powerful ways, teaching me lessons that continue to guide me today.

As a shy, introverted kid, skateboarding helped me find confidence. It taught me that with passion, dedication, and the belief that it’s possible, I can achieve anything!

Surfing, on the other hand, helped me face my fear of water. It brought me closer to my dad, who also surfs, and taught me to adapt to ever-changing conditions—in the ocean and in life.

Both sports have brought me incredible highs and humbling lows. And honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way. It’s in those moments that I’ve discovered who I really am—and what I’m capable of.

Happy Skateboarding and Surfing Day ❤️

For me, this is what it’s all about. Solo traveling through Mexico for months, leaving my truck—my home—in what felt lik...
05/06/2025

For me, this is what it’s all about. 
Solo traveling through Mexico for months, leaving my truck—my home—in what felt like a sketchy neighborhood at 3 a.m. 
Hiking a steep, unfamiliar mountain in the dark.
All to experience and capture an incredible new location that brought me to tears as I stood there watching the first light spill over the ridges. 

Most of the time, I’m either in a beautiful landscape or a city – but here, I felt like I was standing on the edge of both worlds at once. 

I’d been shooting vertically all morning, and when I finally turned the camera horizontally and saw the full perspective, it blew my mind. I knew this was the shot! Check out the last slide to see the full image.

Camera Settings:
14mm | 0.5 sec | f/8 | ISO 800

Update from Mexico: Yes, I am alive. I disconnected from the outside world for the last year. It wasn’t intentional, but...
03/20/2025

Update from Mexico: Yes, I am alive. I disconnected from the outside world for the last year. It wasn’t intentional, but I had what felt like a mountain of challenging things going on in my personal life, and each time I went online, I found myself getting easily overwhelmed, anxious, and depressed. To be honest, I felt like I was losing faith in humanity. So, I took some time to restore my energy and connect more deeply with the people and places around me.

Mexico and its people have shown me nothing but love, hospitality, and beauty– a far cry from what is constantly portrayed in the news.

So much of this trip, driving through all of Central and South America, is intended for me to get outside of my comfort zone, self-discovery, and growth, and it’s definitely living up to that so far haha. I have a lot more to share, and still an incredibly long way to go, so let the adventures continue.

Thank you for your continued support and to everyone who reached out with concerns. I appreciate each of you, and I hope you’re doing well!

Much love,
Travis

This morning, as night turned into day, the scent of wildflowers filled the air, birds sang as they started their mornin...
03/18/2024

This morning, as night turned into day, the scent of wildflowers filled the air, birds sang as they started their morning routine, and our galaxy illuminated this ancient landscape before we rotated back toward the sun.

Spring officially begins tomorrow, and the season already feels full of life and beauty! It’s the start of a significant new chapter in my life, and for many people I know. Hopefully, this is a sign of the beauty and growth coming for us all.

Have a great day! 🌼🌌

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