Lucia Griggi is one of the world’s only female professional surf photographers, and an award winning one at that. Does she need more introduction than that? This is clearly a woman doing what she loves (and what talent!)
Here is how Lucia describes herself:
“My father is from Venice, Italy and my mother is from London, England so maybe I’m pulled by whatever inspired Marco Polo overland to China or the same psychic winds that took Captain Cook halfway around the world to Hawaii and Alaska. Marco Polo went east, Captain Cook went west and I want to go both ways at the same time. Some say wanderlust is in your blood, some say it gets in your blood. With me it’s both.
See a little, and you want to see a lot. See a lot, and you want to see a lot more. And if by chance you see it all, you can start all over again, because change is a constant. Becoming a photographer has given me a chance to realize what I genuinely believe is my destiny: to travel the world and understand it. I began as a surf photographer, obsessed with the search for the perfect wave. But that search has lead me on paths away from the beach, to worlds I didn’t know existed. Getting to know the unknown is now my passion.
My site www.luciagriggi.com is for those eager to look beyond everyday life – a showcase of my journey so far: North to Alaska; as far south as South Africa; west to California and as far east as Sri Lanka. Hawaii, the Maldives, Vietnam, Morocco, Australia: North, south, east and west. I’ve seen a lot but I haven’t seen it all and I share these photos, hoping they will inspire in others what I have found in myself: The desire to travel, have adventures and learn and experience different cultures. All I want to do is see the world and capture it in a way that will encourage others to follow their passions and make their dreams become a reality.”
1. How are you leading a life ‘doing what you love’?
I engage in my photography almost everyday. I feel that when you work at something enough it will be a big part of your life. There will be an element of success through this and working hard. Photography is my creative outlet and I love to be taking photos, whether it is a portrait or a landscape photo. I like to see beauty in everything.
2. What did you do before this?
I have always had photography as my main career. Before this I was at college studying nutrition and sports science. I traveled around the world working summers as a surf photographer and travelling to places like Morocco and Australia. I love to surf and travel, putting both together made a great combination!
3. Can you pinpoint a particular moment or event that inspired you down the road you have taken?
Surfing is my biggest inspiration, and I am also hugely inspired by my best friend Viki Walker who inspired me to pick up a camera. She is a photographer herself, and I looked at her lifestyle and knew straight away it was something I would love to do. Surfing has taken me to many corners of the world and many places I would not have gone if the ocean hadn’t led me there. Capturing moments from travel and moments that happen on the road attract me to what I do today in my photography.
4. Your father is Italian and your mother is English. What inspiration do you take from your parents and their respective heritages?
Both my father and mother come from very artistic backgrounds. Art and music has been in the family for a long time. My father’s mother was a famous artist in Venice and my mother’s sisters and brothers were art teachers. My parents have always supported me with everything I have done and helped me get a kick start with my photography.
5. You obviously love to travel. What is it about travel and new horizons that excites you so much?
Being on the road, moving from one place to the next is what keeps me ticking. Knowing tomorrow I will be in another place, another country, taking a different route. Meeting new, interesting and different minded people. To keep open-minded and see how the world works.
6. You are currently one of only five full time female surf photographers. What is the biggest obstacle that you have had to overcome?
The industry is definitely very competitive. It is very heavily male-dominated and there are very few women that have broken through. The biggest obstacle was breaking through this male domination and achieving a decent level of respect.
7. There is a considerable level of risk related to your job. What kind of a risk taker are you?
I think the risk element becomes suppressed with the idea and beauty of the subject. Swimming out at Pipeline on the North Shore of Oahu is worth the risk due to the symmetrical beauty of this wave – the sheer power and beauty is mesmerising and to be amongst it is the best!
8. Which of your own photographs is your favourite and why?
The underwater duckdive photo (above) is one of my favourites. It won a National Geographic award last year. The light fell beautifully, and the depth of field made the photo very dream like. It was taken in Fiji at a famous surf break where the water was crystal clear and the reflections falling through the water were perfect.
9. What moment or aspect do you dream of capturing on camera?
I would love to capture more of nature, spend more time in one place and capture the pure essence shooting the wildlife in that area. I would be interested to photograph a natural kill in the wild, and understand more about more about wild habitations. It would be wonderful to camp out in the jungle and see the natural and simple way of life for these creatures.
10. You are an inspiration for women all over the world. What advice would you give them to help them do what they love?
I would say, never give up! To become successful at anything takes time and persistence. You may hit walls and get knockbacks, but the key is to get back up and keep going. Sometimes a setback allows you to move forward and makes you stronger and more focused. And always dream in the daytime, as the people who do that are the ones that make their dreams come true.
You can find out more about Lucia and her business via her website and you can follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
GIVEAWAY
PRIZE: Inspired by Lucia, we are giving away a copy of one of our very favourite business books, ‘Let my people go surfing: the education of a reluctant businessman‘ by Yvon Chouinard, founder and owner of Patagonia – shipped anywhere in the world to one lucky reader!
TO ENTER: Answer this question in the comments below: “How are you living a life doing what you love? What do you want to do differently in the months ahead?” Please be sure to include your full name and country in your comment.
DEADLINE: This giveaway will close at 5pm GMT on Tuesday 12 November 2013. Any comments left after then will not be counted. THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO ENTERED. THE WINNER WAS ANNOUNCED HERE.
THE SMALL PRINT: There will one individual winner who will be chosen from the entries after the deadline, and announced on this blog shortly afterward. The competition is open to anyone over 18 anywhere in the world. There is no cash alternative. Our decision on the winner is final and no correspondence will be entered into. By entering you agree for your email address to be added to the mailing list of Do What You Love but you can unsubscribe at any time.
