If you’ve ever been skating hard in the streets or just been around people who live and breathe skating, Patrick O’Dell is a name you need to know.
He’s been capturing that world for years with a camera in his hand and an eye for the real stuff, not just the flashy tricks.
Patrick started skating when he was a kid, just like a lot of us did, but he didn’t stop there. He started snapping photos of his friends, the streets they skated, and the way the city felt around them.
You can tell he cared about the people and the spots more than just the tricks they were doing. That’s why his work hits differently.
Back in 2004, Patrick put out Epicly Later’d, which at first was just a blog but soon grew into a full-on interview series. He didn’t just ask skaters about tricks or contests. He let them talk about their lives, their struggles, the scenes they came up in.
Hearing him on Living Proof Radio is like sitting on a stoop while someone who’s been through it all tells their stories. He talks about skating, taking photos, meeting people, and just being part of the scene.
You get the sense that this isn’t some polished story for the outside world. It’s real talk from someone who was there, who lived it, and who still appreciates the streets, the community, and the people that made it all what it is today.
If you care about skateboarding, street culture, or just stories about people who stayed true to what they loved, Patrick's interview is a solid listen.