MORGAN MAASSEN

Surf and Art. 

There is so much to say...

Photographing or filming a moment of gliding, a trick or a performance is within everyone's reach...with a little practice.

Having an artistic approach in the image is quite another thing ...

Morgan Maassen has this eye and this reflection. 

He knows how to make us dream, travel and question ourself with his images of unreal beauty.

Originally from Santa Barbara, Morgan is above all a passionate and in love with the ocean.

 The light, the textures and the abstract nature of the earth fascinate him.

Despite his young age, he already has a very impressive background in the history of surfing, as a photographer and director of surf, travel, fashion and art films.  

He was an official photographer for Surfer Magazine, Quiksilver and Roxy from 2011 to 2013.

He then worked for Apple, Red Bull, Corona, Monster Energy, Patagonia, Billabong, Hurley, Nixon, National Geographic, Outside, The New York Times, Elle, The Daily Mail, ESPN, Stab...

His latest videos on Kelly Slater, Imogen Caldwell, Soli Bailey, Stephanie Gilmore, Victoria Vegara, Jordy Smith...are all outstanding.

Despite a busy life, Morgan took the time to enthusiastically answer our questions for this new Focus on www.aroundthewaves.com.

 - Do you remember your first glide and your first surf photo ?

"I'll never forget my first wave.

I was seven years old and my dad pushed me into a crystal clear, thigh high wave on a hot summer day in Santa Barbara.

It was the best feeling in the world, and I was hooked from that moment on!

My first surf photo, was just me and my friends standing at Rincon point, on a windy, cold, beautiful winter morning.

It was the moment that I said to myself that I wanted to use photography to capture what I appreciate, what inspires me, my curiosities in textures and moments..."

I love Alex Knost as much as I love Kelly Slater.

Good surfing is good surfing.

And people who push themselves and the way they ride waves is all that matters.

- What is your surf culture ?

"I like to consider myself a fan of all surfers and its culture.

I don't judge.

I love Alex Knost as much as I love Kelly Slater.

Good surfing is good surfing.

And people who push themselves and the way they ride waves is all that matters.

But to me, personally, my relationship with surfing is a way to escape people and enjoy nature.

I love surfing alone, experiencing the weather, wildlife, adventure."

I try to embody my imagination in my photographs.

Capture places and feelings that we dream of, that are not perfect, but represent emotions and wonderment. 

- One of your photos that you are most proud ?

(following photo)
 

"I try to embody my imagination in my photographs.

Capture places and feelings that we dream of, that are not perfect, but represent emotions and wonderment. 

This wave, I waited days to break.

I finally got the photo, right as a rainstorm destroyed everything.

A moment in time that may never happen again, but for that split second, I was transfixed. "

Teahupo'o.

I love it so much.

It's so challenging.

It makes my stomach fill ill, but it brings about a creativity that keeps me awake at night."