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.
in recent years i've reconnected 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.
Early Inspirations
Ericeira, Portugal 2017.
8 years ago, after several surfing daydreams from home in the UK, I headed out on my first surf camp adventure with my sisters to Ericeria, Portugal. I'll never forget it! 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 uploaded it onto a video via youtube...
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.
After work, I was doing all kinds of water activities and capturing moments on my camera. This is where the excitement of taking some of my first surf photographs took place. There was one particular moment down at the beach one early morning. It was beautiful. Perfect conditions, stunning waves, pink skies. I captured my friends and some locals surfing. I immediately shared some of these shots on social media, within that same morning they managed to circulate back to one of the local surfers. They sent a thankful message mentioning they'd 'very rarely seen a photo of themselves surfing'. It was a father out on an early morning surf. Now I look back, it was this moment I could see my photos as a gift to share with people.
First Surf Photographs
NOW
Last August, during the summer of 2024, I headed east with my Nikon DSLR and a couple of my favourite lenses. I was taking photos everywhere I went, but the vision for 'Earth and Surf Photography' developed during my time in New Zealand earlier this year. Having the time to ground myself in one place, after being on the move so much, it gave me the time I needed to explore both my creative energy and passions into visions. Creating this piece is the first part of that adventure!
Shortly after, I started collating all my work together and hunted for some opportunities. I was lucky enough to have a full circle moment recently when I landed a dream role in a surf and yoga camp as a photographer!!! capturing the same excitement for guests that I experienced all those years ago...
From impressive peaks to coasts, this journey so far 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...
