Lucia Griggi - Photographer

When did you first start surfing and where?
I first started surfing when I was around 19 years old. I found my love for surfing down in Cornwall and commuted most weekends from my home in London. A friend at university introduced me to the sport and I was immediately hooked! I always loved the water and swimming so it was a natural progression.

What is it that you love about surfing and the ocean?
I love the energy of the ocean and how it seems to clear your mind. Surfing is a natural high and the combination of both is very exhilarating. Surfing helps clear the mind and gives you a good work out as you battle mother nature at her best!

Do you have a session that stands out as your most memorable?
I love Morocco. The colours in the ocean with the evening light highlighting the back of the wave. The greens. Anyone that has been there can relate to this. The desert colours and the culture around is electrifying. I had a great session back in 2009 at a wave located in a local fishing village. It is a long right hand point. I had the best surf there and also got some great photos from the water! A session to remember.

How did you first get into photography?
I first picked up a camera when I was traveling to New Zealand in 2004. I was on a surf trip for the winter and my dad had given me his Nikon film camera. I wanted to capture the life I was going to lead for the next three months and capture this on my camera. From this I found my love for photography and carried on shooting. I was soon getting published in local magazines and newspapers.

How did you go about making a name for yourself and differing from the competition in the flooded market of surf photography?
The surf industry is quite a unique and niche environment. This soon got me recognized and especially being one of the few females to work in it. I worked hard and got some work in editorials so my name was put out there. It is still very competitive but there is enough work for everyone and we all have our strengths in different areas.

Do you have a favourite surfer and/or location to shoot?
I love to work in the Indian Ocean in countries such as Sri Lanka and the Maldives, the culture is so rich and the waves are uncrowded. I don't have a favorite surfer, but I like working with surfers that are open mimded and love to explore even if the waves may not be the best!

Are there any photos that you have taken that stand out as your personal favourites?
My favourte is probably any photo from the " filthy friday " swell that came through in 2012 in Fiji. The waves were huge and the best surfers in the world were there! It was a magical session. One of the photos won a National Geographic prize.

Who/ what inspires the work that you do?
The life of freedom that I have chosen keeps me pushing to carry on what I do to enable this decision. My photography doesn't limit me and opens me up to possibilities I could never have imagined.

Besides surfing and the ocean, what are some of your other favourite things to shoot?
Portraits, Lifestyle and travel. I also love new culture and capturing this on the camera.

What is it that you love about your job?
The freedom to travel and to meet new people and see the world!

Do you have any must-hear advice for any budding/ aspiring photographers?
It's not going to be easy. To succeed in this profession you need to be hard working and have a passion for what you do. Be professional and always give back as you go along.

Where can we find you online? 

Posted by: Matthew Ryan, on October 28, 2014
Categories: Interviews

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