Behind the Screen: Michael Pham on Building an Off-Grid Life Around a 9-to-5

By day, Michael Pham manages inventory accounting, spreadsheets, systems, and margin analysis. The moment work ends, he's out the door with a camera, a packed bag, and usually his dog Banjo. He's a photographer and creative who's built a life around a simple idea: you don't have to quit your job to get outside. You just have to be ready to go when the window opens.

That's the thinking behind the DayTripper Collection, our first-ever line of bags, built with weather-resistant StormGrid™ so one bag can carry you from the desk to the trail without repacking in between. Michael put them to work in our latest film, moving through a full day the way he actually lives it: work, shooting, training, and everything after five.

That training has a destination. Michael is preparing for the Pass of Tears, a 10-day horseback race across 400 kilometers of Patagonia's wildest terrain. Riders navigate independently with a team of two horses, a GPS, and their own survival gear, camping wherever the day ends and caring for their horses so both rider and animal stay fit to continue. It's a test of horsemanship and endurance in some of the world's remotest backcountry, and exactly the kind of challenge that pushes Michael outside his comfort zone. You'll catch glimpses of his preparation in the film, and it's a story we'll have much more to share on soon. For now, we sat down with him to talk about balancing an on-grid career with an off-grid life, what stood out about the bags, and why the best stories come from getting comfortable being uncomfortable.

1. What’s your day job, and how did photography come into your life? What do you love shooting most?

My day job is in corporate accounting, where I spend most of my time working with numbers, systems, and spreadsheets. I’m currently the inventory manager at Alo, I manage the cost accounting team for global inventory and margin analysis. My creative life is the complete opposite. Photography is where I get to tell stories and connect with people.

I first picked up a camera because I wanted to document adventures and the people around me. Over time that grew into commercial work with outdoor and lifestyle brands, and I realized I enjoyed much more than just taking photos. I love building the story—finding the right location, working with people, and creating images that feel authentic.

At the end of the day, I’m a storyteller. The camera is just the tool I use to tell those stories.

2. Between a full-time job, photography, horse riding training, camping, and dog dad duties, you’ve got a lot going on. How do you balance your on-grid life with your off-grid one?

I don’t think balance is something you find—it’s something you build.

Accounting gives me structure and stability, but getting outside is what keeps me grounded. Whether it’s camping, training, taking my dog Banjo on an adventure, or heading out with my camera, those moments recharge me and remind me why I love creating.

A lot of my favorite work has come from simply saying yes to a weekend trip or getting outside after work. Those experiences are where I find the stories I want to tell.

3. Tell us about the Pass of Tears. What got you involved, how are you training, and who’s riding with you?

I wanted to challenge myself and be part of something that pushes me outside my comfort zone. I’m excited to experience it alongside a great group of people and document the journey along the way.

I’ve been training by spending more time on the bike, building endurance, and getting comfortable being uncomfortable. I think those kinds of experiences make the best stories.

4. You put the DayTripper bags to work in the film. What features stood out most?

I appreciated how organized and versatile the bags are. Whether I’m carrying camera gear or everyday essentials, everything has its place, which means I spend less time digging through my bag and more time focused on creating.

They’re comfortable enough to wear all day, and durable enough that I don’t have to think about them while I’m out shooting or exploring.

5. How do the bags help you transition from desk mode to getting outside?

One of my favorite things is that I can keep everything packed and ready to go.

When I finish work, I don’t want to spend another half hour organizing gear. I can grab my bag, head out the door, and be on a trail or shooting before sunset. It makes it easy to go from spreadsheets to adventure.

6. What’s one piece of advice for someone trying to build an off-grid life around a 9-to-5?

Don’t wait until life is perfect.

Use the time you have. Some of my favorite memories and photographs have come from weekend trips or even a couple of hours after work.

You don’t have to quit your job to start living the life you want. Just keep making time for the things that inspire you, and those small adventures will eventually become part of who you are.

Michael's advice is worth repeating: don't wait until life is perfect. Keep your bag packed, use the hours you have, and let the small adventures add up.

Follow along with Michael's work at https://phamuel.com/, opens in a new tab and his road to the Pass of Tears on Instagram at @phamuelphoto, opens in a new tab. 

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