This year, I attended the New York Women’s Surf Film Festival in Rockaway Beach, NYC. It was such an incredible experience connecting with so many female surfers and creatives.

Prior to the festival, I connected with Davina of Lava Girl Surf; she asked me if I’d be interested in photographing behind the scenes of a Women’s Surf Photography Workshop led by Bryanna Bradley. Of course I said yes! The workshop was put on by Lava Girl Surf, Clifbar, Aquatech Imaging Solutions and Borrow Lenses. It was amazing hearing Bryanna share her experiences and her knowledge of surf photography. She taught the workshop attendees basics about how to use a water housing and professional DSLR camera. She also went over her techniques for shooting in the water and took the girls out to shoot real surfers! Bryanna is such a sweet girl and talented artist, and I feel so lucky to have connected with her!

After the workshop, I spent the day on the beach, surfing + exploring Rockaway with friends. During the evening, the Rockaway Beach Surf Club hosted the film showings of some of the most inspirational films I’ve ever seen! All the films shown were either made by women or about women; so cool!

After attending the festival I’m feeling so inspired to get in the water with my camera! I can’t wait for the next swell!

Getting lunch and hanging with friends at the Rockaway Beach Surf Club!

It has been a dream of mine for YEARS to see Pipe Masters in person, so being there on the beach was literally a DREAM COME TRUE! We saw Joel Parkinson retire after an amazing career and Gabriel Medina win the world title, and then go back in the water for the final heat to win Pipe Masters. I feel so lucky to have the opportunity to see this event and I’d love to make it back again in the future!