Surf Photography with Degree 33 Team Riders in Oceanside, California
I recently photographed a surf session in Oceanside, California, working with team riders from Degree 33 Surfboards to produce media content for the brand.
The shoot took place near the Oceanside Pier, documenting surfers on both shortboards and longboards in clean morning conditions.
Conditions
The surf was around chest-high, with occasional head-high sets and glassy conditions. While not particularly large, consistency, glassy surface, and morning light were ideal for clean surf imagery.
The waves were almost entirely lefts, and with the surfers all riding goofy, it set up naturally for frontside surfing, making positioning predictable and allowing for clean, repeatable compositions.
The pier provided an elevated vantage point for varied compositions, alongside shoreline shooting for more traditional beach angles.
Despite the modest wave height, the session had strong energy. The riders stayed active throughout, resulting in consistent action and natural expression in the water.
Shooting Approach
I photographed Degree 33’s team riders across both shortboard and longboard setups, focusing on a mix of performance surfing and more relaxed moments that reflect the brand’s identity and lifestyle.
Most of the session was shot from the shoreline, with additional elevated perspectives from the pier allowing for slightly down-angled views of the wave face and rider positioning.
Final Thoughts
Surf photography is less about wave size and more about timing, light, movement, and capturing the identity of both surfer and brand. Oceanside provided clean, workable conditions for a focused and productive session. Ultimately, it’s the energy and stoke from the surfers themselves that elevates these images and brings them to life.
What I Offer
If you're a surf brand, athlete, or media team looking for ocean-based content, I offer:
surf and watersport photography
commercial brand and lifestyle shoots
topside and in-water surf coverage
ocean and coastal content creation
While this session took place in Oceanside, I regularly work throughout Southern California, including San Diego and surrounding coastal areas.