I’m Zak Noyle, and this is my class with Inspire Courses. 

I got my start in photography at an early age. My dad is a commercial photographer that shoots a lot of hotels, food, and fashion. I was always around photography, but never drawn to it at an early age. I always wanted to be in the water, surfing with my friends, having fun in the sun. It wasn't until I really truly fell in love with the ocean that turned me on to photography and brought me to where I am today. Being able to capture images of the water and surfers and my friends is what really got me into photography. It allowed me to be able to create these images and capture these moments that I was able to share with my mom, with my friends, with all kinds of people, to be able to see the visions that I was seeing in the water. 

Starting out early in photography, I was shooting with film, eventually jumping into digital photography. Today, it is easier than ever to get into it as it is more accessible. And you will see through this course how you can become a surf photographer. 

Growing up, doing swimming and water polo definitely gave me extra comfort in the ocean while being able to be in the waves for long extended periods of time. As I started to get into water photography, I started to submit my images to magazines. Submitting my images to Transworld Surf was my first foot in the door. Eventually that led to being a staff photographer with Transworld Surf, which then led to a senior staff role with Surfer Magazine, allowing me to travel with some of the best surfers in the world. 

One of my first photos I got published was a photo of Jamie O'Brien at Pipeline. And I remember it clear as day, backlit Pipeline, gorgeous shot with I think the 20D and a fisheye lens. And that was something that really started to ignite my career. It allowed me to get my foot in the door with the surf magazines. It allowed me to get a little more notoriety with the surfers, as well as with my peers that were shooting. 

Being around photography with my dad, it was something that was always there, but he never pushed me into it, and I think that was a very valuable aspect. I found photography through a love for the ocean, but you better believe the moment that I loved and found photography, he was right there to help me. He has helped me to be where I am today.

And today, we're going to share with you guys all of these tips, tricks, and back-end business to allow you to take your photography to the next level. Through photography, I've made lifelong friends. I've been to places I've only dreamed of. It has allowed me to create this lifestyle and to be able to create a career path that I never even imagined. It is something that I'm very fortunate to have. And it came with a lot of hard work and dedication. 

Thinking outside of the box, surf photography is a unique type of photography. It is something where you're the athlete. You're in the water. You're swimming among these waves. You have to be in the zone. You have to be in the moment. We aren't just in a studio. We aren't just shooting online. We are in the water. We are right there and you need to be focused. 

Why do I shoot water photography? Why do I love being in the ocean and shooting and creating these images? It's a love for the ocean. It's a love for being able to share these images and these moments with people that won't be able to see it with their own eyes. It's being able to capture something and freeze that water, being able to share it.