Clark Little’s career is likely one of the happiest accidents in the history of the photography business.

While growing up on Oahu’s North Shore, Little spent a lot of time on the other side of the lens. He appeared repeatedly in surf magazines riding Waimea Bay’s ferocious shorepound — at a time when few else dared to go with him.

Little grew up with a parade of hilarious buddies, including the late Todd Chesser, 9-time world champion Kelly Slater, and surfer, singer (and fellow photographer) Jack Johnson. Even his older brother, Brock Little, is one of the best big-wave riders in the world.

Then just a few years back, years after settling into family life and running a successful nursery business, Clark grabbed the camera himself one day in an effort to capture the images he spotted from his vantage point…and the rest is history.

Today, suddenly, Clark Little is one of the most revered water photographers in the business. He’s regularly slobbered on by all the posh, arty publications and photographic journals. He’s done all the morning talk shows and just this month he’s nailed the cover of National Geographic Extreme Explorer.

Starting this week, Clark will be touring California to promote some of his work, and his new book. For times and places check here. Until then, have a look at the torture he puts himself through just to get the shot!