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“12 Female Surf Photographers You Should Be Following Right Now – THESE TALENTED WOMEN OFFER UNIQUE PERSPECTIVES ON LINEUPS AROUND THE WORLD” by Gabriela Aoun via Surfer Mag

“12 Female Surf Photographers You Should Be Following Right Now – THESE TALENTED WOMEN OFFER UNIQUE PERSPECTIVES ON LINEUPS AROUND THE WORLD” by  Gabriela Aoun via Surfer Mag

On a huge day at Waimea Bay in the early 1970s, filmmakers Jack McCoy and Dick Hoole needed an additional photographer to shoot from land as they filmed in the water. They handed Shirley Rogers, a young woman from Ewa Beach barely out of high school, a Century 650mm lens and asked if she could help.

Thus began Rogers’ career as a surf photographer, one of the first women to be called such and certainly one of the few in the ‘70s and ‘80s to make a name for herself on the North Shore of Oahu. She shot surf action along the Seven Mile Miracle as well as candid, behind-the-scenes moments with some of the most legendary surfers of that era, access that only her status as a local afforded her.

Much has changed since Rogers first picked up a camera. Women worldwide are making their mark in all areas of surf photography. Some of the best barrels at Pipe and the most monstrous days out at places like Mavericks or Waimea Bay are captured beautifully by women.

Though the number of deserving talent exceeds this list, we’ve rounded up 12 female surf photographers and filmmakers you should know and asked them to share some advice for up-and-coming creatives. The days of Shirley Rogers being the lone lady shooter are far behind us, and as this roundup shows, the diversity of perspective, technique and interests means female surf photography is only just beginning its golden age.https://bafe7b0200c44ac1631e5b79a2a15a78.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html

AMBER MOZOOahu photographer Amber Mozo’s first photographic inspiration was the work of her father, surf photographer Jon Mozo. “I look at his art hanging on my mum’s walls and it makes me want to shoot photos that beautiful,” she says.For Mozo, good photography requires self-expression. “You have to mentally be connected to yourself so that you can create art that touches you and means something to you, so that others can feel that.”Being connected to yourself also means knowing your limitations. “The skills I’ve needed for my photography have been to learn the ocean,” she says. “To know when is right for me to be shooting, when to go and when to not go out, and to be patient. I don’t always swim because I know my limits and don’t have anything to prove to anyone.”Still, Mozo has her sights set on swimming in bigger surf. “I know this takes a lot of time and effort,” she says. “I’m in no rush. You have to put in your ‘10,000 hours.’”

AMBER MOZO

Oahu photographer Amber Mozo’s first photographic inspiration was the work of her father, surf photographer Jon Mozo. “I look at his art hanging on my mum’s walls and it makes me want to shoot photos that beautiful,” she says.

For Mozo, good photography requires self-expression. “You have to mentally be connected to yourself so that you can create art that touches you and means something to you, so that others can feel that.”

Being connected to yourself also means knowing your limitations. “The skills I’ve needed for my photography have been to learn the ocean,” she says. “To know when is right for me to be shooting, when to go and when to not go out, and to be patient. I don’t always swim because I know my limits and don’t have anything to prove to anyone.”

Still, Mozo has her sights set on swimming in bigger surf. “I know this takes a lot of time and effort,” she says. “I’m in no rush. You have to put in your ‘10,000 hours.’”

Advice to aspiring female photographers? "Don’t compare yourself or your art to anyone else ever," says Mozo. "That’s just rubbish. Everyone has a story to tell; photography is so beautiful because it allows people to express themselves. Practice makes perfect. You can’t buy experience. You have to be brave, you have to get out there and try."

Advice to aspiring female photographers? 
“Don’t compare yourself or your art to anyone else ever,” says Mozo. “That’s just rubbish. Everyone has a story to tell; photography is so beautiful because it allows people to express themselves. Practice makes perfect. You can’t buy experience. You have to be brave, you have to get out there and try.”

ANDREA COLEMANAndrea Coleman spends most of her time shooting the stylish crew of classic loggers who frequent San Onofre and Malibu. The San Clemente-based photographer learned by trial and error: “I’m an incredibly determined human, so I can stand in one spot for many hours until I get it right," she says. The fruits of her determination have yielded mesmerizing photos of freewheeling log masters like Andy Nieblas, below. “You never know what Andy’s going to do in the water, he’s always spontaneous and has the most fun,” says Coleman.

ANDREA COLEMAN

Andrea Coleman spends most of her time shooting the stylish crew of classic loggers who frequent San Onofre and Malibu. The San Clemente-based photographer learned by trial and error: “I’m an incredibly determined human, so I can stand in one spot for many hours until I get it right,” she says. The fruits of her determination have yielded mesmerizing photos of freewheeling log masters like Andy Nieblas, below. “You never know what Andy’s going to do in the water, he’s always spontaneous and has the most fun,” says Coleman.

https://bafe7b0200c44ac1631e5b79a2a15a78.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html
Advice to aspiring female photographers?"Just shoot, everything and anything, no excuses," says Coleman. "It will teach you what you love and what doesn’t work for you. Don’t be intimidated, don’t worry about it being perfect, it will come and will be perfect for you. Your images are not going to be liked by everyone. Critics are loud -- tune them out, do you, everyone else is taken."

Advice to aspiring female photographers?
“Just shoot, everything and anything, no excuses,” says Coleman. “It will teach you what you love and what doesn’t work for you. Don’t be intimidated, don’t worry about it being perfect, it will come and will be perfect for you. Your images are not going to be liked by everyone. Critics are loud — tune them out, do you, everyone else is taken.”

BROOKE BERRYThe daughter of a North Shore lifeguard, Brooke Berry inherited a deep understanding and appreciation of the ocean. “Growing up surrounded by the ocean taught me so much about how to approach and coexist with it,” she says. Influenced by classic North Shore culture and the photographers of the ‘60s and ‘70s, Berry prefers to shoot with the first camera she ever used: a Pentax K1000 35mm. One of her favorite photos is one she took with a disposable water camera she brought along to the Eddie Aikau opening ceremony. Despite her soft spot for analog, Berry has made a name for herself with her commercial photography, shooting for brands like Billabong and Mercedes Benz. “Being a creative and a business person can be tough,” says Berry. “I want to continue growing and evolving as both.” When she’s not on a hired shoot, Berry looks at surf photography as a means of preserving meaningful moments: “The way the conditions aligned, the people present will be able to live on a lot longer if I’m able to capture it.”

BROOKE BERRY

The daughter of a North Shore lifeguard, Brooke Berry inherited a deep understanding and appreciation of the ocean. “Growing up surrounded by the ocean taught me so much about how to approach and coexist with it,” she says. Influenced by classic North Shore culture and the photographers of the ‘60s and ‘70s, Berry prefers to shoot with the first camera she ever used: a Pentax K1000 35mm. One of her favorite photos is one she took with a disposable water camera she brought along to the Eddie Aikau opening ceremony. 

Despite her soft spot for analog, Berry has made a name for herself with her commercial photography, shooting for brands like Billabong and Mercedes Benz. “Being a creative and a business person can be tough,” says Berry. “I want to continue growing and evolving as both.” When she’s not on a hired shoot, Berry looks at surf photography as a means of preserving meaningful moments: “The way the conditions aligned, the people present will be able to live on a lot longer if I’m able to capture it.”

Advice to aspiring female photographers?"Learn as much as you can from as many other photographers as you can," says Berry. "Nothing beats experience. It doesn’t matter what equipment you have, work on your composition and drive behind your lens and you will go far!"

Advice to aspiring female photographers?

“Learn as much as you can from as many other photographers as you can,” says Berry. “Nothing beats experience. It doesn’t matter what equipment you have, work on your composition and drive behind your lens and you will go far!”

CHRISTA FUNKIt was Christa Funk’s time in the Coast Guard Academy that propelled her to the photographer’s lineup at Pipeline. “In high school, I had to do well in math and science classes to qualify for photography courses," says Funk, originally from Grand Junction, Colorado. “That led me to the Coast Guard Academy, where I further studied science, which helped me learn the behaviors of light.” That training, along with her strength as a competitive swimmer, allows Funk to produce radiant images at Pipe (like the one below of Keito Matsuoka), easily the most competitive and crowded wave in the world.With a front-row seat to some of the best tube-riding in the world, Funk’s favorite shot she’s ever taken is still of her husband, Jake DiPaola. “He’s getting blown out of a barrel, soul arched and stoked,” she says. “He has been dreaming about that wave since he was a grom. I still can’t believe I was there to shoot it.”

CHRISTA FUNK

It was Christa Funk’s time in the Coast Guard Academy that propelled her to the photographer’s lineup at Pipeline. “In high school, I had to do well in math and science classes to qualify for photography courses,” says Funk, originally from Grand Junction, Colorado. “That led me to the Coast Guard Academy, where I further studied science, which helped me learn the behaviors of light.” That training, along with her strength as a competitive swimmer, allows Funk to produce radiant images at Pipe (like the one below of Keito Matsuoka), easily the most competitive and crowded wave in the world.

With a front-row seat to some of the best tube-riding in the world, Funk’s favorite shot she’s ever taken is still of her husband, Jake DiPaola. “He’s getting blown out of a barrel, soul arched and stoked,” she says. “He has been dreaming about that wave since he was a grom. I still can’t believe I was there to shoot it.”

Advice to aspiring female photographers?"Don’t worry about being a woman," says Funk. "Earn respect with hard work and dedication. Fearlessly submit your work: The worst someone can tell you is no."

Advice to aspiring female photographers?
“Don’t worry about being a woman,” says Funk. “Earn respect with hard work and dedication. Fearlessly submit your work: The worst someone can tell you is no.”

HA’A KEAULANADaughter of Brian Keaulana and granddaughter of Buffalo, Ha’a Keaulana grew up shooting her family of watermen and women doing all manner of ocean-related activities near their home in Makaha. “Whether it is my grandfather on the Hōkūle’a, my dad steering canoe or supsquatch, or just my cousins and their keiki out in the water for a family beach day, my ohana are my favorite people to feature,” she says.Second to her family, Keaulana loves to capture the raw talent of the Westside locals. “Shooting them and giving them photos is my way of showing appreciation and giving back,” she says. “Mākaha is special in that way. Nothing ever compares to home.”

HA’A KEAULANA

Daughter of Brian Keaulana and granddaughter of Buffalo, Ha’a Keaulana grew up shooting her family of watermen and women doing all manner of ocean-related activities near their home in Makaha. “Whether it is my grandfather on the Hōkūle’a, my dad steering canoe or supsquatch, or just my cousins and their keiki out in the water for a family beach day, my ohana are my favorite people to feature,” she says.

Second to her family, Keaulana loves to capture the raw talent of the Westside locals. “Shooting them and giving them photos is my way of showing appreciation and giving back,” she says. “Mākaha is special in that way. Nothing ever compares to home.”

Advice to aspiring female photographers?"My advice to any photographer would be to respect the craft, acknowledge the pioneers, and be mindful and respectful of what you are shooting and sharing," says Keaulana.

Advice to aspiring female photographers?
“My advice to any photographer would be to respect the craft, acknowledge the pioneers, and be mindful and respectful of what you are shooting and sharing,” says Keaulana.

JONI STERNBACHBased in Brooklyn, New York, large-format photographer Joni Sternbach’s introduction to surf photography was accidental. On the bluffs of Montauk, New York, she was setting up an ocean shot when surfers drifted into her frame. “Suddenly, and only for a matter of seconds, the sun broke through the clouds in this incredible, god-like way and I could hear the surfers give off these cheers of joy,” says Sternbach. "It turned out to be one of the most incredible photographs I’ve ever made, and it was pure chance. As a result of this incredible moment, I felt like I had a connection with these surfers who shared that experience with me.”Sternbach’s weapon of choice is an 8×10 Deardorff Large Format Camera, which she uses to take portraits of surfers “caught in a moment of stillness and out of time.”

JONI STERNBACH

Based in Brooklyn, New York, large-format photographer Joni Sternbach’s introduction to surf photography was accidental. On the bluffs of Montauk, New York, she was setting up an ocean shot when surfers drifted into her frame. “Suddenly, and only for a matter of seconds, the sun broke through the clouds in this incredible, god-like way and I could hear the surfers give off these cheers of joy,” says Sternbach. “It turned out to be one of the most incredible photographs I’ve ever made, and it was pure chance. As a result of this incredible moment, I felt like I had a connection with these surfers who shared that experience with me.”

Sternbach’s weapon of choice is an 8×10 Deardorff Large Format Camera, which she uses to take portraits of surfers “caught in a moment of stillness and out of time.”

Advice to aspiring female photographers?"Find women you admire and work with them, find positive female role models, and work hard," says Sternbach. "Insecurity is the hardest thing to overcome. No one likes to talk about it, but there it is, underneath the surface. Make some pictures you can be proud of and remind yourself during the tough times of these pictures and your ability to continue to make meaningful and important work."

Advice to aspiring female photographers?
“Find women you admire and work with them, find positive female role models, and work hard,” says Sternbach. “Insecurity is the hardest thing to overcome. No one likes to talk about it, but there it is, underneath the surface. Make some pictures you can be proud of and remind yourself during the tough times of these pictures and your ability to continue to make meaningful and important work.”

LUKI O’KEEFELuki O’Keefe’s first foray into surf photography was on a trip with friends from her hometown of San Clemente up to Malibu. “We just wanted cool photos of each other surfing, and I was the only one who was interested enough in photography to take a break from surfing to shoot,” she says. “I never even dreamed of it becoming a career at that point.”Today, O’Keefe is still shooting some of the same friends she went on that first trip with, like Makala Smith, as well as other stylish female longboarders like Lola Mignot (below) and Karina Rozunko. “There was a lack of variety in women’s surfing content when I started shooting,” says O’Keefe. “It was frustrating as a surfer, but exciting as a photographer to see so much beauty undocumented. I’m happy to see that change and to see so many women making cool shit.”

LUKI O’KEEFE

Luki O’Keefe’s first foray into surf photography was on a trip with friends from her hometown of San Clemente up to Malibu. “We just wanted cool photos of each other surfing, and I was the only one who was interested enough in photography to take a break from surfing to shoot,” she says. “I never even dreamed of it becoming a career at that point.”

Today, O’Keefe is still shooting some of the same friends she went on that first trip with, like Makala Smith, as well as other stylish female longboarders like Lola Mignot (below) and Karina Rozunko. “There was a lack of variety in women’s surfing content when I started shooting,” says O’Keefe. “It was frustrating as a surfer, but exciting as a photographer to see so much beauty undocumented. I’m happy to see that change and to see so many women making cool shit.”

Advice to aspiring female photographers?"Clarity comes from action, not thinking," says O'Keefe. "Assisting and working on personal projects is the fastest way to learn. I was put to work quick and just had to figure out what I didn’t already know.""The mindset and workflow [of freelancing] was and is hard to grapple with as a photographer," continues O'Keefe. "I started working when I was 13, and by the time I was 16 I was working three jobs while going to high school, which taught me how to work hard and get shit done. But working as a photographer isn’t the same as clocking in. I’m proud of how much my mindset has evolved. Despite how much I just wanted consistency and security, I’ve become comfortable being uncomfortable and following my intuition even when it doesn’t perfectly make sense or promise success."

Advice to aspiring female photographers?
“Clarity comes from action, not thinking,” says O’Keefe. “Assisting and working on personal projects is the fastest way to learn. I was put to work quick and just had to figure out what I didn’t already know.”

“The mindset and workflow [of freelancing] was and is hard to grapple with as a photographer,” continues O’Keefe. “I started working when I was 13, and by the time I was 16 I was working three jobs while going to high school, which taught me how to work hard and get shit done. But working as a photographer isn’t the same as clocking in. I’m proud of how much my mindset has evolved. Despite how much I just wanted consistency and security, I’ve become comfortable being uncomfortable and following my intuition even when it doesn’t perfectly make sense or promise success.”

MARIA FERNANDA BASTIDASMaria Fernanda Bastidas followed an unlikely path to surf photography. Born and raised in Mexico City, she got a B.A in Business Administration and Tourism Hospitality. It wasn’t until her early twenties when she was invited to tag along on a surf trip and casually snapped some photos that she discovered her calling. “I decided to leave behind the city lifestyle that I had known my entire life and change it for the ocean,” says Bastidas. “I started from zero.”Today, she’s one of the few photographers, male or female, swimming on big days at Puerto Escondido or Waimea. “Being able to capture what only few get to experience first hand, is what makes me feel most alive,” she says.

MARIA FERNANDA BASTIDAS

Maria Fernanda Bastidas followed an unlikely path to surf photography. Born and raised in Mexico City, she got a B.A in Business Administration and Tourism Hospitality. It wasn’t until her early twenties when she was invited to tag along on a surf trip and casually snapped some photos that she discovered her calling. “I decided to leave behind the city lifestyle that I had known my entire life and change it for the ocean,” says Bastidas. “I started from zero.”

Today, she’s one of the few photographers, male or female, swimming on big days at Puerto Escondido or Waimea. “Being able to capture what only few get to experience first hand, is what makes me feel most alive,” she says.

Advice to aspiring female photographers?"Always chase your dreams and fight for the goals you set, it doesn’t matter how crazy or big they seem," says Fernanda Bastidas. "Work hard for them and prepare as much as you can and do not give in to fear or to what other people might tell you to bring you down or keep you from achieving your goals or dreams. When we have a gift and passion for something, we are responsible to use them for good and share it with the world."

Advice to aspiring female photographers?
“Always chase your dreams and fight for the goals you set, it doesn’t matter how crazy or big they seem,” says Fernanda Bastidas. “Work hard for them and prepare as much as you can and do not give in to fear or to what other people might tell you to bring you down or keep you from achieving your goals or dreams. When we have a gift and passion for something, we are responsible to use them for good and share it with the world.”

ROXY FACERRoxy Facer travels the world for commercial swimwear shoots, but her favorite place to shoot is the sandbar at home on the North Shore. “When conditions are sunny, with waist-to-shoulder waves, it becomes a playground for everyone here,” says Facer. “Getting to shoot all your friends on every board imaginable, in turquoise water, without worrying about reef, is top of the list for me.”Facer has an eye for the nostalgic and playful, often filming video on 8mm or 16mm cameras and capturing the timelessness of female logging, through talents like Waikiki's Haley Otto, below.

ROXY FACER

Roxy Facer travels the world for commercial swimwear shoots, but her favorite place to shoot is the sandbar at home on the North Shore. “When conditions are sunny, with waist-to-shoulder waves, it becomes a playground for everyone here,” says Facer. “Getting to shoot all your friends on every board imaginable, in turquoise water, without worrying about reef, is top of the list for me.”

Facer has an eye for the nostalgic and playful, often filming video on 8mm or 16mm cameras and capturing the timelessness of female logging, through talents like Waikiki’s Haley Otto, below.

Advice to aspiring female photographers?"I was really intimidated for years to even get into the water," says Facer. "It’s always been so heavily dominated by men, I weirdly figured they’d be territorial or annoyed with me. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Nine out of 10 times, the men you interact with out in the water are stoked to have you there. I’ve had so many men photographers go above and beyond with teaching me everything from gear to positioning. All those years I spent worrying were years I could’ve been out there learning. So if you’re like me, and you’re intimidated by the prospect of being the only girl out there in your local lineup, don’t be. I can almost guarantee being a woman out there will be to your advantage."

Advice to aspiring female photographers?
“I was really intimidated for years to even get into the water,” says Facer. “It’s always been so heavily dominated by men, I weirdly figured they’d be territorial or annoyed with me. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Nine out of 10 times, the men you interact with out in the water are stoked to have you there. I’ve had so many men photographers go above and beyond with teaching me everything from gear to positioning. All those years I spent worrying were years I could’ve been out there learning. So if you’re like me, and you’re intimidated by the prospect of being the only girl out there in your local lineup, don’t be. I can almost guarantee being a woman out there will be to your advantage.”

SACHI CUNNINGHAMIn the foggy, sharky lineups at Mavericks and Ocean Beach is where you’d least expect to find a smiling swimmer, but that’s where Sachi Cunningham thrives. The San Francisco-based photographer has always loved big waves, and for the last six years has focused her lens on the women currently pushing the limits in big-wave surfing. “SheChange,” a documentary she's currently working on, follows Andrea Moller, Bianca Valenti (below), Paige Alms and Keala Kennelly and their fight for gender equality in surfing.Cunningham is also an associate professor of journalism at San Francisco State University, a career that has enabled her to focus on the joy of storytelling without the pressure of making surf photography her main source of income. “I used to be very focused on becoming a ‘professional’ water photographer, getting paid to live the dream,” says Cunningham. “But some of the barriers that existed when I was coming up over two decades ago…meant that I had to develop a lot of marketable skills beyond water photography to pay the rent.”Cunningham turned these limitations into strengths. “It gave me the freedom to take risks with my passion for water photography that have been critical to my development. I think I had to overcome my fantasy of what I thought being a successful water photographer was in order to find and develop my own path and creative voice.”

SACHI CUNNINGHAM

In the foggy, sharky lineups at Mavericks and Ocean Beach is where you’d least expect to find a smiling swimmer, but that’s where Sachi Cunningham thrives. The San Francisco-based photographer has always loved big waves, and for the last six years has focused her lens on the women currently pushing the limits in big-wave surfing. “SheChange,” a documentary she’s currently working on, follows Andrea Moller, Bianca Valenti (below), Paige Alms and Keala Kennelly and their fight for gender equality in surfing.

Cunningham is also an associate professor of journalism at San Francisco State University, a career that has enabled her to focus on the joy of storytelling without the pressure of making surf photography her main source of income. “I used to be very focused on becoming a ‘professional’ water photographer, getting paid to live the dream,” says Cunningham. “But some of the barriers that existed when I was coming up over two decades ago…meant that I had to develop a lot of marketable skills beyond water photography to pay the rent.”

Cunningham turned these limitations into strengths. “It gave me the freedom to take risks with my passion for water photography that have been critical to my development. I think I had to overcome my fantasy of what I thought being a successful water photographer was in order to find and develop my own path and creative voice.”

Advice to aspiring female photographers?"Shoot, shoot and shoot some more." says Cunningham. "And don’t look at what everyone else is doing! Follow your heart and listen deeply to your soul. Be yourself. Everyone else is taken."

Advice to aspiring female photographers?
“Shoot, shoot and shoot some more.” says Cunningham. “And don’t look at what everyone else is doing! Follow your heart and listen deeply to your soul. Be yourself. Everyone else is taken.”

SARAH LEEWhen Sarah Lee was growing up in Kona, Hawaii, she spent countless hours in the pool as a competitive swimmer. At a swim meet her freshman year of high school, she borrowed a camera and began taking photos. “It allowed me to experience what was going on around me in a much richer way,” says Lee. “Ultimately, it gave me a sense of contributing as I engaged with my surroundings and peers.”A skilled freediver, Lee’s comfort underwater allows her to capture the intensity beneath the surface of the wave (as she does below with the shot of Anna Ehrgott). Her favorite place to shoot is Cloudbreak (when it's absolutely pumping), but she’s equally content capturing small, glassy peelers. “I feel a strong pull to be in the water and to capture and translate what’s happening in front of me,” she says. “It gives me a sense of purpose that I can do and create something that’s beyond myself.”

SARAH LEE

When Sarah Lee was growing up in Kona, Hawaii, she spent countless hours in the pool as a competitive swimmer. At a swim meet her freshman year of high school, she borrowed a camera and began taking photos. “It allowed me to experience what was going on around me in a much richer way,” says Lee. “Ultimately, it gave me a sense of contributing as I engaged with my surroundings and peers.”

A skilled freediver, Lee’s comfort underwater allows her to capture the intensity beneath the surface of the wave (as she does below with the shot of Anna Ehrgott). Her favorite place to shoot is Cloudbreak (when it’s absolutely pumping), but she’s equally content capturing small, glassy peelers. “I feel a strong pull to be in the water and to capture and translate what’s happening in front of me,” she says. “It gives me a sense of purpose that I can do and create something that’s beyond myself.”

Advice to aspiring female photographers?"I kind of just go with the flow and don’t force my way into anything," says Lee. "So when something doesn’t work out for me, I find something else to dive into. Cultivating anything takes time, and isn’t always instantly gratifying.""I also feel that you’ll inevitably attract the part of the industry or even a whole different career stream that you vibe with. As long as you keep chasing what gets you stoked, know your worth, have integrity, and are fun to work with, you’ll be fine."

Advice to aspiring female photographers?
“I kind of just go with the flow and don’t force my way into anything,” says Lee. “So when something doesn’t work out for me, I find something else to dive into. Cultivating anything takes time, and isn’t always instantly gratifying.”

“I also feel that you’ll inevitably attract the part of the industry or even a whole different career stream that you vibe with. As long as you keep chasing what gets you stoked, know your worth, have integrity, and are fun to work with, you’ll be fine.”

TAHNEI ROYTahnei Roy started making videos with a Canon G11 and a cheap water housing at the fresh age of 12. Growing up on Oahu, she spent much of her time hiking, surfing and bodysurfing around the Hawaiian Islands, and she would capture her adventures on video and come home to make little edits. “I remember watching Roxy and Billabong women’s videos and thinking that it would be a dream to shoot for them one day,” recalls Roy.Today, she does exactly that, splitting her time between the North Shore and Encinitas, California, and shooting video for surf brands and media, with female surfers like Kelia Moniz, Rosie Jaffurs, Leah Dawson, Leila Hurst and Victoria Vergara (below). “These girls make our jobs easy,” says Roy. “When you are in sync with the surfer you are shooting, it changes the game.”

TAHNEI ROY

Tahnei Roy started making videos with a Canon G11 and a cheap water housing at the fresh age of 12. Growing up on Oahu, she spent much of her time hiking, surfing and bodysurfing around the Hawaiian Islands, and she would capture her adventures on video and come home to make little edits. “I remember watching Roxy and Billabong women’s videos and thinking that it would be a dream to shoot for them one day,” recalls Roy.

Today, she does exactly that, splitting her time between the North Shore and Encinitas, California, and shooting video for surf brands and media, with female surfers like Kelia Moniz, Rosie Jaffurs, Leah Dawson, Leila Hurst and Victoria Vergara (below). “These girls make our jobs easy,” says Roy. “When you are in sync with the surfer you are shooting, it changes the game.”

Advice for aspiring female photographers?"Creativity is one of the most essential aspects of life, and I think that everyone should harness it and hold onto it," says Roy. "We’ve all got it in one way or another – it’s just a matter of getting in touch with it. If you have that thing that you love or something you are gravitated towards, stick with it. Do what you love, and you will find a way to get it out into the world."

Advice for aspiring female photographers?
“Creativity is one of the most essential aspects of life, and I think that everyone should harness it and hold onto it,” says Roy. “We’ve all got it in one way or another – it’s just a matter of getting in touch with it. If you have that thing that you love or something you are gravitated towards, stick with it. Do what you love, and you will find a way to get it out into the world.”


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