Photography

How did you realize surf photography was what you wanted to do?

From Surf PE to Career: How Surf Photography Became a Passion

Hey everyone. Let's see, the question is, how did you realize your photography was what you want to do? I first started doing surf photography or making pictures when I was in Surf. PE in high school we had the option to take in Surf PE which would basically mean we'd go to the beach instead of run laps around the track which is really cool. It's kind of something native to San But I just loved being in the water. I really appreciated waking up early and going surfing with my friends and surf photography kind of gave me a way to not only like document the sessions my friends and I were having but also still being the water with them. I never just wanted to be on on the land, looking all my friends riding waves. So I thought if I was in the water with a camera it'd be like I was right there surfing with them and As far as a career goes, I for a long time, I didn't really think it would be a viable career. Even though I know there were there were surf photographer has who had done it for a long time. I just, I probably never thought my work was either good enough or I was going to the right places or I don't really, I don't really know why I didn't think I was able to do it, but I ended up going to school and getting a degree in commercial advertising and the first thing I did after Um, schools, I went on a surf trip with some friends and ended up turning into a story for Surfer magazine and that kind of kick started my career to the next level I guess but really surf photography. For me, it's a culmination of being a portrait photographer landscape photographer, Travel Photographer. A little bit of an athlete especially when you're in the water. So I got to combine, you know, all my passions of like travel photography and Surf and art into Into a career but really just being able to be in the water and spend time in the water with a camera. And, and with my friends, thanks, hope it helps.

I first started taking pictures when I was in Surf PE in high school. I loved being in the water and wanted to document the sessions my friends and I were having. I didn't think it could be a viable career until after I went on a surf trip with some friends and ended up turning into a story for Surfer magazine. Combining my passions of travel photography, surfing and art led me to pursue a career in surf photography.

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I realized that surf photography was what I wanted to do when I started taking pictures during Surf PE in high school. Instead of running laps around the track, we had the opportunity to go to the beach, and I fell in love with being in the water. Surf photography allowed me to document the sessions my friends and I had while still being in the water with them. I didn't want to be on land, watching my friends ride waves. Being in the water with a camera made me feel like I was surfing alongside them.

As for pursuing it as a career, I initially didn't think it was a viable option. I didn't believe my work was good enough or that I was going to the right places. However, after getting a degree in commercial advertising, I went on a surf trip with friends, and the story I created from that trip ended up being published in Surfer magazine. This experience kick-started my career and made me realize that surf photography could be a fulfilling profession.

For me, surf photography combines my passions for portrait photography, landscape photography, travel photography, and being an athlete in the water. It allows me to merge my love for travel, surf, art, and spending time with friends. It's a culmination of all my interests and has become my career.

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Todd Glaser is a San Diego-born photographer, surfer, and waterman. A SURFER Staff Photographer for over a decade, Glaser has earned more than a dozen covers. His work has appeared in The New York Times, Outside, Men’s Health, GQ and the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery. When not globetrotting, he can be found riding waves around his home, riding his bike, and enjoying his wife, Jenna.