Travel photographer and NFT artist Eric Rubens is known for his sunset photography. In his Genesis NFT collection, “Ocean Intersection,” he shares 50 sunset images he’s photographed over eight years. Each showcases his mastery in creating captivating digital content. His love for travel photography runs as deep as those ocean waters and extends beyond himself and towards those he also hopes to bring along with him in his journey.

Fans of Rubens’ work can admire from afar by owning one of his NFTs (or following along as one of his over 400k Instagram followers) or commit to building a more travel, creative, and adventure-filled world alongside Rubens through his other web3 projects.

For instance, in 2021, Rubens co-founded Collective Strangers, a photography studio committed to connecting travel-obsessed artists, creatives, and photographers. Since its founding, the studio has also spurred a PFP NFT collection, “Strangers HQ,” with a similar mission.

No matter the destination, Rubens has built a career focused on community, creativity, and exploration. Here are three things to know about the Southern California-based creative.

Eric Rubens’ background and career

Eric Rubens is a photographer and social media influencer with a unique combination of skills and experiences that set him apart in the world of travel photography. Before he ever picked up a camera, Rubens studied engineering. While he ended up following a creative path, his rational approach to life has allowed him to make strategic pivots and break into industries he set his sights on early. It's possible his distinct perspective and approach to his world has even given him a unique edge by allowing him to see the world through a multifaceted lens.

Rubens’ transition from engineering to photography might seem drastic, but it was simply a shift in how he chose to capture and share the beauty around him. His technical expertise from his engineering days seemed to have contributed to his meticulous attention to detail in his photography. Over the years, he has worked with a variety of high-profile clients, including United Airlines and various international tourism boards.

With an Instagram following of close to half a million (@erubes1), Rubens has built a community of enthusiasts who eagerly await his next breathtaking shot. His work focuses on travel photography, capturing the ephemeral beauty of golden hour and the serene landscapes that define his adventures. Whether he’s shooting a sunset over the ocean or a bustling cityscape, Rubens’ images resonate with a sense of wonder and exploration.

Eric Rubens picked up travel photography as a hobby

Before Rubens became a travel photographer, he was an electrical engineer building satellite systems for jets and cargo planes. In an X thread, a year into creating NFTs, he reflected on his career decisions and the unexpected road that led him to photography.

In the thread, he explained that he picked up photography after searching for a hobby he could practice during his off hours. At the time, he lived in San Diego, California, with easy outdoor access, so he created a photography challenge. He would go to the beach every evening and shoot the sunset with his iPhone camera. Simultaneously, he started sharing those pictures, as well as others from his outdoor adventures, on Instagram and slowly grew a strong following that is now over 400,000 people.

How Eric Rubens explored the early intersection of travel photography and internet art

In recent years, travel photography and digital art have begun to intersect in fascinating ways, largely due to the rise of non-fungible tokens (NFTs). These unique digital collectibles have updated how photographers can showcase their work, offering a new platform for ownership and authenticity. For travel photographers like Eric Rubens, this intersection has opened up a realm of possibilities.

NFTs allow photographers to create internet-first art pieces that are not only visually stunning but also verifiably unique. This has enabled artists to connect with collectors and enthusiasts in ways that were previously unimaginable. Rubens, with his keen eye for capturing the beauty of the world, is perfectly positioned to explore this new frontier. His travel photography, already rich with narrative and emotion, translates seamlessly into the internet art space, offering collectors a piece of his journey.

By experimenting with and ultimately harnessing the unique functionality of NFTs, Rubens is among the artists of our time who have created internet art that stands out in the crowded online space. Each piece becomes a unique identifier of his creative vision, blending the tangible beauty of his photographs with the innovative potential of NFTs. In hindsight, the technology likely won't be seen as just a trend, but rather the beginning of a new chapter in the story of photography — one that Rubens is helping to write.

'Ocean Intersections' was Eric Rubens' first non-fungible token collection

Over the years, Ruben’s photography hobby turned into a side project and eventually a full-fledged career. After slowly building his skillset and reputation as a travel photographer for over four years, opportunities like joining his first press photography trip to Jordan and joining Sony’s global photography team gave him the courage to part ways with his engineering career.

Ruben considers 2016 the start of his full-time career as a photographer and creative. Since then, he has built a client list with top brands and companies like Disney, Meta, and hotel company Four Seasons. His first NFT collection is “Ocean Intersections,” where he curates 50 1-of-1 photographs from the first few years of his career as a travel photographer.

Almost every image captures surfers at golden hour at a beach with sunsets painted vibrant orange, pink, and purple hues and waters that seem like an extension of the sky because of how clear and reflective they are.

Ruben explains that he wasn’t only entranced by the magical aura of a beach at sunset but that the images are an exploration of a human experience he has always been curious about.

“Ever since I was young, I’ve been captivated by the emotions surfers have entering and leaving the water and compelled to find a way to share the energy and colors of that fleeting moment,” explained Ruben in the project’s description. “This series captures the perfect recipe I’ve searched for and will continue to chase for the rest of my life.”

Eric Rubens’ NFT journey

Rubens saw blockchain’s potential to transform how we value photography and jumped in. A seasoned travel photographer, he recognized how NFTs could establish true ownership and authenticity for his images. What started as curiosity quickly became a passion project, pushing him to experiment with NFTs using his signature sunset photography.

His background in electrical engineering gave him the technical edge to navigate blockchain and smart contracts. That rare mix of skills helped him pioneer travel photography NFTs and change how photographers share their work. His landscape images, already breathtaking, gained new depth as internet art, each secured on the blockchain with a unique identifier.

Rubens didn’t wait for an invitation. He merged travel photography with digital innovation and built a fresh way to connect with collectors. His path shows how embracing new tools and taking bold risks creates unexpected opportunities.

As Rubens reflected in an Instagram post:

“[I] had many around me advise against leaving my engineering job to pursue photography but it was the best discussion I ever made. Took a lot of work, but no one knew the passion I had inside to build a sustainable career. Still, I love it to this day. Hope these tips can help someone take the next step towards chasing their dream.”

Overcoming challenges in the NFT space

As with all new technologies, every artist faces a few challenges when first learning about NFTs. As a photographer and videographer, Rubens learned blockchain technology and smart contracts from the ground up. Perhaps his background in engineering gave him the technical knowledge — or at least the confidence — to tackle those hurdles.

In addition, the NFT market moves fast. Demand shifts quickly. Consumer behavior changes. Trends appear overnight. One minute, collectors might covet an Eric Rubens photo, only to be replaced by the newest collection. Adapting requires strategy, persistence, and a sharp understanding of the space.

Yet, Rubens stayed ahead. He created new work, adjusted to market shifts, and found ways to connect with collectors. His success proves that technical skill and adaptability matter as much as artistic vision. By pushing forward, he secured his place in NFTs and cleared a path for other photographers to follow.

The future of travel photography and NFTs

The future of both travel photography and NFTs is brimming with potential and innovation. As technology continues to evolve, new and exciting ways of creating and showcasing digital art are emerging. Eric Rubens is at the forefront of this movement, constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible with travel photography and NFTs.

With his unique blend of skills and experience, Rubens is well-positioned to continue leading the charge of this evolving field. He is the co-founder of a creative collective and profile picture (PFP) project designed to do just that. In 2023, Rubens’ photography studio Collective Strangers introduced an NFT project centered around creativity, travel, and community building.

“Strangers HQ” is a 4,996-item NFT collection, with each NFT varying across ten different traits, like the character’s accessories, backgrounds, clothing, and glasses. The project’s artist, Nick Kuchar, designed each avatar to stand in for a bright, lively, and colorful depiction of different world travelers. The collection’s mission is to “enhance the ever-expanding travel space” by connecting holders through the Strangers HQ platform so they can bond and share their passion and tips on travel, photography, and more.

Rubens’ NFT collections prove he chases sunsets and landscapes from Laguna Beach, California, to the islands of French Polynesia, capturing stunning photos that highlight his different passions. 

Most importantly, Rubens’ journey exemplifies how following your passions can lead to a bountiful career full of beautiful sunsets (and just as many sunrises), along with plenty of new moments to savor. 

His work not only captures the beauty of the world but also explores the limitless possibilities of landscape photography when translated to digital art. As the NFT market grows and matures, we can expect to see more photographers and artists following in Rubens’ footsteps, exploring the intersection of travel photography and digital art.

The future holds endless possibilities for those willing to innovate and experiment. For Eric Rubens, this means continuing to create stunning digital art pieces that capture the essence of his travels. As he looks to the horizon, the world of travel photography and NFTs hints at a landscape filled with creativity, exploration, and endless opportunities.