‘The industry has no money for you unless you’re “in”.’
Sean Balusek
March 2026
Can you tell us something about Texas that no one knows?
Man, that’s hard. Half of skating here is driving if that makes sense (laughing).
How is the skate scene across Texas from vibe and culture perspective?
I would say mostly everyone who has stuck around skating for more than 10 years is friends or know of each other at this point. The vibes are good, the bad ones get wheated out. Culturally everyone is from different backgrounds of life. Some grew up with money, some not so fortunate but rich with family and friends.
You are from Houston, but which city would you consider the skate capital of Texas?
Austin has all the trendy skaters and stuff of that nature, Houston has the worst spots, but I might just be too used to it. Dallas has the most spots in my opinion when you include Fort Worth since they’re basically the same place. So, shit I don’t know. El Paso is King (laughing).
What came first for you? Skateboarding or Photography?
Skating for sure, then filming then photography. There are too many filmers so I jumped ship. I’ll never forget being at this spot in Galveston and there was 6 filmers, that’s when I decided I needed to focus on photos from now on.
Which skate photographer inspires you?
Oliver Barton, everything he shoots is spectacular. I flip through his website weekly.
Proudest moment so far?
Getting to shoot my buddy David Langston going pro ad in Thrasher. Dude rips.
Nice. Did you get paid?
(Laughing) Nah, I’ve never been paid by any “core” brand I have shot for. It’s pretty whack but hey what can you do? I try and make money from photography through my Real Estate media business I own. But that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t love to finally get paid from one of those companies. The industry has no money for you unless you’re “in”.
‘I’ll never forget being at this spot in Galveston and there was 6 filmers, that’s when I decided I needed to focus on photos from now on.’
Anything embarrassing or funny you willing to share?
It took me like 8 years to understand F stop, sadly.
Is there any skate shot you wish you had taken?
Would have been really cool to shoot Reynolds backside on Wallenburg. That’s one of the first skate photos that ever really stood out to me.
Who would you call the godfather and godmother of Texas skateboarding?
Jeff Grosso and Marisa Del Santo.
Can you tell me more about Marisa?
Marisa goes hard. Her parts hold up to today’s standards. She seriously has the gnarliest part for any girl I can think of. If anyone hasn’t seen it, go watch her ‘Strange World’ part. Bangers.
How would you pick if you can shoot for any brand in the world?
2012 Girl and Chocolate would be awesome. That is one of my favorite eras for a company.
What are some of the challenges people in Texas face every day?
The weather. It’s very bipolar. One moment its bright and sunny. 110 heat index, then it’ll pour rain and go back to sunshine. Fall only lasts a week and Winter is a day.
Last Question. If you could interview any person in the world?
It woud be nice to hear Dylan Rieders outlook on today’s climate in skating. His opinion on the Olympics, instagrams control, and the death of Phelps.