Join us for an adventure as we take you behind the scenes of a recent photo shoot with Lisa, a fellow mama, and a passionate surfer. Discover how Lisa finds solace in the ocean and her love for surfing and surf-skating. In this post, we'll also share our creative concept for the shoot - surfing in knitwear, paying homage to the pioneering women surfers of the past. So grab your board and join us as we make waves with a knitted twist!

In collaboration with Lisa, Lou Lou B Photo brings a unique vision to life. Witness stunning images of Lisa on her longboard, celebrating the women who paved the way for the surf lifestyle of today. Our shoot took place on a chilly winter day in Mount Maunganui, with Lisa braving the waves in her knitted jumper. Swimming and shooting in the water was full-on, but Lisa made surfing in a jumper look effortless, even in the chilly water.

The inspiration behind this unique surf lifestyle photoshoot

This shoot was about more than just capturing stunning photos. It was about paying homage to the female surfers who paved the way for us. Women who, like Lisa, were willing to push boundaries and break the norms of their time.

Rewind to August 2019… I met some epic wahine surfers at the Sea Together Mag x Aoka Surf Studio female surf weekend in Whangamata, NZ. One of the standout convos I had was with a veteran wahine surfer who grew up in Whanga and was one of the original female crew loggers - when logging wasn’t at all cool. She explained to me how they didn’t have wetsuits, in those days (70s) they would just surf in their bikinis with a knitted jumper on while surfing in winter. They pushed boundaries in their time - from taking out longboards in a male dominated short board world, to braving winter waters in a bikini and jumper. All in the name of surf.

From that moment I wanted to recreate that look, and celebrate the women who have gone before us, who paved the way for where we are now in surfing both lifestyle and sport. Surfing in a bikini and knitted jumper in winter? That was just one of the many ways these women challenged the status quo.

Why I was compelled to create this new look for female surfing

As a surf lifestyle photographer, I'm always looking for new ways to capture the beauty and essence of surfing. This shoot was a perfect example of that. It was a creative concept that paid tribute to the past while also looking towards the future. And it was a lot of fun.

Lisa was enthusiastic to fully embody the experience, but encountered a challenge as the sweater sleeves made paddling difficult and catching a wave seemed nearly impossible. This made us appreciate the pioneers who came before us even more, the women who had no other choice but to push through and paddle on in their knitted jumpers. It is with great respect that we acknowledge their contributions to the sport and lifestyle of surfing.

So, if you're a female surf and water photographer looking to get into surf lifestyle photography, I encourage you to think outside the box. Find ways to pay tribute to the pioneers who came before us while also pushing the boundaries of what's possible. And don't be afraid to try new things and have some fun along the way. Who knows? You might just create something truly amazing.

Finding strength and fun in motherhood: Lisa's journey

This shoot was a two-in-one deal. Not only did I want to photograph Lisa for the Soulskin project, but she's also a friend and fellow mama who finds solace in the ocean. I've been itching to capture her wild spirit on camera since we met, but our shared love for surfing always got in the way. We planned the shoot regardless of weather or waves, and to our surprise, the conditions were perfect. The glassy waves and warm sun made surfing in a jumper and togs bearable (I was in a 4/3 wetsuit, so no judgement).

While other Wild Woman shoots have delved into the rugged and raw side of returning to nature, I wanted this shoot with Lisa to showcase the fun and fearless side of the female psyche. Her adventurous spirit was the perfect match for the concept, from surfing in knitwear to playing with flowers by the shore.

Lisa shared her thoughts on returning to the wild, but at the core of her experience is a childlike attitude. Becoming a mother has made her feel stronger than ever, and she now incorporates surfing and surf-skating into her self-care routine. As a new mother myself, I found her to be a true inspiration on how to have more fun and let go even more in motherhood. Thank you, Lisa!

Lou x