"From Earth to Ocean, Stories in Light"
Hi, I'm Gemma...with a background in Geography and a deep-rooted curiosity for the world around me, I’ve long used my camera as a tool to uncover the hidden gems in nature, especially through the lens of landscape photography.
Recently, I’ve been more drawn to the energy and movement of the ocean. When I’m lucky enough to be near the coast, i'm chasing waves with my camera, exploring the dynamic world of surf photography, a growing passion that combines my love for movement, nature, and storytelling.
Portugals
Ericeria 2017
Early Inspirations
Back in 2017, after several surfing daydreams I headed out on my first surf camp trip with my sisters to Ericeria, Portugal! Around this time, I was gifted my first GoPro and eagerly packed it with me. I was SO excited to be there I captured all the waves and wipeouts and posted it amaturishly on youtube...as 'The Best Surf Camp in Portugal Everrrr' (it is probably still there).
Working on the beach RNLI.
First day of training RNLI.
During the following summer of 2018, I worked for the Royal National Lifeboats Institution, famously known as the RNLI. I was based in Portrush, Northern Ireland, learning and promoting the ‘Float to Live’ educational water safety campaign whilst working alongside beach lifeguards, rescue services including the lifeboats and coast guards.
Outside work I was doing all kinds of water activities and capturing moments on my camera. This is where I took some of my first surf photographs. I shared some of these photos on social media and within that same morning and they managed to circulate back one of the surfers. He sent a thankful message over mentioning he’d very rarely seen a photo of him surfing. He was a father out on an early morning surf. Now I look back, it was this moment I saw my photo like it was a gift I was giving to someone.
First Surf Photographs
NOW
Last August 2024, after a few years into my professional career I took a sabbatical and headed east with my Nikon DSLR and a couple of my favourite lens. I was snapping everywhere I went but the vision for Earth and Surf Photography came to me in New Zealand earlier this year. A true exploration of my passion and creative lens.
This year 2025, I had a full circle moment when I landed my first role in a Surf camp as a photographer, capturing the same excitement for guests that I experienced those years ago...
From impressive peaks to coastlines, this journey has opened up new perspectives and possibilities with my camera. It was the inspiration I needed to curate and share my portfolio, a collection of moments where light, landscape, and emotion meet.
ENJOY!!!
