When Phillip Hernandez heads to the beach, he’s not just chasing waves. The San Diego-based photographer is known for capturing the beauty and rhythm of coastal living — from surfers carving through dawn swells to lifestyle campaigns that feel as cinematic as they are authentic. A recent outing with professional surfer Shea Porter at Cardiff State Beach came with an added twist: the chance to take the all-electric, three-row 2026 Kia EV9 along for the ride.

An East Coast native, Hernandez was born in Virginia and grew up in Washington, D.C. – far from the waves where he now spends much of his time. But his pull toward the ocean started early.

“I’ve always been drawn to the water and that coastal lifestyle,” he said. “When I was growing up we traveled a lot to Hawaii and the Philippines,

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