Our Founder

The founder of Focus Relief, Tarik Trad, is a wildlife photographer, digital strategist, storyteller and author, with more than 30 years of experience. He is known for his portraits, iconic landscapes, and dramatic sports imagery.

Photography has led him to explore and capture distant and not-so-distant destinations, such as the Antarctic Peninsula; the Galapagos Islands; Havana, Cuba; Mendenhall Glacier in Alaska; the Na Pali Coast of Hawaii; the Lacandon Jungle of Mexico; the backcountry of Yosemite and Patagonia; and many other unique places across the globe.

He has worked for such industry giants as the Los Angeles Times, Ernst & Young and Northrop Grumman and served as a backcountry ranger in Yosemite National Park. 

He is the founder of several Internet startups, served on the boards of numerous national and regional non-profit organizations, is engaged in interfaith dialogue and community partnerships, and has provided his services pro bono for various charities and NGOs. 

In 2022, he published his first book, “Antarctica – A Photographic Expedition.” In a limited-edition run, this full-sized, 92-page coffee table book was signed and numbered by the author. Filled with nearly 100 one-of-a-kind photos along with intimate stories from his transformative journey, it sold out almost immediately.

In 2006, he won a National Gold Quill of Excellence Award from the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) for his efforts during Hurricane Katrina.

Stuck in his home during the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr. Trad found an unusual escape to wildlife – in his backyard.

Mr. Trad has an MBA in marketing management from Loyola Marymount University and a bachelor of science degree in graphic design from Woodbury University. 

He was born, raised, and resides in the Los Angeles area where, among other things, he is trying to learn how to play the guitar.

Samples of his fine art photography can be found in our gallery and at www.tariktrad.com.