As a photographer, I’m always drawn to stories that celebrate strength, passion, and community—so when I had the opportunity to capture content for Her Surf Spirit, I knew it was going to be something special. Her Surf Spirit is an emerging women’s surf brand dedicated to empowering women of all ages through surfing and the transformative power of the ocean. In November 2025, they hosted their first-ever girls' surf camp, designed to give young surfers (ages 12-17) the skills and confidence to participate in surf competitions.
Over the course of the weekend, I captured the training sessions, workshops, and—thanks to my newly acquired underwater housing—the girls in the water surfing! As a surfer myself, I was especially excited that this camp was happening right in my own neighborhood, at my local surf break. Even more exciting was the opportunity to witness and document young women supporting each other in their surfing journeys.
The founder of Her Surf Spirit, Tash, asked me not only to document the experience but also to create content that could be shared with their sponsors—Sealand, Reef, Ocean Freedom, and others. This meant bringing a brand photography mindset into the weekend, keeping an eye out for shots that highlighted the brands whose support made this camp possible.
Over the two days, I watched incredible female surfers and movement experts share their wisdom, helping the girls develop their skills—physically, mentally, and psychologically. Beyond improving their technique and competition mindset, the girls also took responsibility for the health and cleanliness of the ocean, reinforcing the connection between their sport and the environment they cherish.
One of the most powerful moments for me was being in the water, immersed in the energy and excitement of the girls as they surfed. Hearing them cheer each other on, push each other forward, and celebrate each other’s successes was truly inspiring. In a world that often encourages cutthroat competition, these young women proved that true success comes from community, support, and shared growth.
This weekend reminded me why I love photography—not just for capturing beautiful images, but for telling the stories of people, passion, and purpose.
