LACKING REPRESENTATION

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My name is Claudia and I am a freelance photographer specialising in sport and fashion. Through photography, I strive to balance emotion, storytelling, and authenticity.

For me, photography and surfing are deeply connected through a shared sense of play. While both have become innate over time, they also demand a level of focus that quietens my mind and pulls me into the present moment. Whether it’s timing the shutter for the perfect frame or finding rhythm moving up and down the surfboard, both offer a euphoric flow state. 

As my relationship to both continues to grow and change, I’ve remained conscious of preserving this sense of play. Through this journey, my greatest challenge has been self-criticism and comparison.

With endless images always only a scroll away, it’s easy to blur the line between inspiration and comparison. While observing other creatives can spark motivation, it can just as easily invite doubt. The same dynamic exists in the water. Watching someone ride an incredible wave often begins with admiration, but sometimes a quieter voice follows, questioning your own ability. I have found that inspiration and self-criticism can feel like two sides of the same coin.

My greatest growth has come from looking inward and transforming comparison into ambition. By trusting my own creative voice and softening the surrounding noise, my photography has evolved into something that feels distinctly mine. I’ve found that my strongest work and best waves emerge when I follow what feels most authentically me. It’s also where that sense of play has felt most alive.

I’ve also learnt that choosing your own path doesn’t mean doing it alone. Both surfing and photography can become competitive and overly serious at their worst. At their best, they are spaces where showing up as our authentic selves creates room for everyone. In doing so, we celebrate each other’s wins and waves, rather than competing for them.