Passionate newbie wins renowned surf photography contest
Born and raised in Swansea, Wales, UK, Sean Pritchard has always had an affinity for the waves, both as a photographer and as a surfer. From riding to shooting, Pritchard has traveled the world in pursuit of his passion, even living in New Zealand for seven years.
In December 2022, Sean Pritchard was named Carve Magazine’s 2022 Surf Photography of the Year for his stunning shot “Shoot the Pier”. It shows a surfer at sunrise riding a wave just before diving under the piers of New Brighton Pier, taken when Pritchard was living in Christchurch, New Zealand.
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But photo contests are new territory for Pritchard, who entered his first just last year. Photography itself is a relatively new full-time passion, he may have owned a camera since he was 15, but it was the pandemic that spurred him to take it more seriously. We caught up with the newly crowned winner to find out how it felt to win his first competition and whether his passion for surfing or photography came first.
Sean is a freelance photographer based in Swansea, South Wales, inspired by travel, surfing, the people I meet, the places he visits and the spontaneous nature of photography. I was originally born and raised in Swansea, South Wales but have lived and worked in various countries around the world. I am fortunate to be a permanent resident of New Zealand and to call New Zealand my home for 7 years between 2015 and 2022
Have you always been a surf photographer?
What excites you about the sport?
I’ve loved both surfing and photography for a long time, but I wasn’t always a surf photographer. After spending so much time on the beach, it was only a matter of time before two of my dearest passions would merge. Surfing is an incredible sport surrounded by an amazing culture. It will take you to amazing destinations and allow you to meet some inspiring people.
What equipment do you use?
I currently use Canon mirrorless gear along with a mix of Canon RF Prime, zoom and telephoto lenses (opens in new tab). I prefer to shoot with a longer focal length that captures more of the landscape and surroundings than get up close and personal with the tight action. I also still try to shoot on film as much as possible, but I’ll admit that in the digital age I’m less patient when waiting for my images to be developed.
Remember a time when you had to have a lot of patience to snap a photo or go out in horrific conditions?
Shooting anything that moves requires a lot of patience! Not every wave will be perfect, surfers can fall over and there can be long waits between good waves.
As much as I would love to photograph perfect waves in Indonesia and enjoy the tropical weather, the reality of photographing Wales is that conditions are often difficult. It’s raining a lot and it’s persistently windy and cold! However, if you’re from Wales you’ll love these conditions and if you’re having a good day there’s no place you’d rather be.
Have you ever won a photo contest and if not, how did it feel?
I’ve never won a photo contest. The Carve Surf Photo Contest was the first time my work was recognized.
I only started entering some photo competitions at the end of 2021. So this was the first time I entered this particular competition. It was incredible to win. Photography is very subjective, so having your work judged and being at the forefront is unbeatable. The standard of surfing photography is high and it is a true honor to be recognized in this way.
After surfing, what is your favorite thing to photograph?
I also enjoy doing landscape and wildlife photography. Hiking is one of my favorite hobbies, and these styles of photography complement that hobby well.
I’ve been fortunate to live and work in some beautiful countries. Most of my landscape and wildlife photography is inspired by the incredible landscape and nature of Wales and New Zealand.
Do you have any tips for anyone trying to break into the world of sports photography?
Don’t be afraid to start. Just go out and shoot. We could talk all day about the best gear and the perfect shutter speed, but none of that matters if you’re not out there doing what you love.
Often you’ll find that some amazing shots are taken by photographers who aren’t professionals and don’t have top-notch gear! All you need is a keen eye for the moment and being in the right place at the right time.
Whatever the sport, people are always happy to see photos of them in action.
What were your biggest obstacles to overcome?
The hardest thing for me was taking the first step and getting out of there. That’s something I think a lot of creative people struggle with. For years I struggled with terms like “Your photos are better than mine” or “They’ve been doing this for years”.
Although I have been photographing for over 15 years, I only started to get more involved with photography in 2021 as a result of Covid. Once you realize that everyone has to start somewhere and you do it because it makes you happy, those fears don’t matter anymore.
Are you a surfer yourself?
Yes! The biggest problem I have is often whether to surf first or take photos. Most trips to the beach often lead to both.
Surfing and photography are similar in many ways. For me, the main benefit is the mindfulness they both provide. Whether you’re catching a wave or snapping a photo, you’re in the moment and nothing else matters. That’s the best feeling there is.
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