I’ve been reflecting a fair amount lately, and I’m filled with gratitude and excitement. I want to take this moment to reflect on my journey as an ocean documentarian and express my deep appreciation for the recent opportunity to be featured by renowned camera accessory brand, COOPH. A small but very welcomed win for me in my book as I navigate the lines between business and creativity. (ARTICLE BELOW)
How did this happen?
If you follow my Instagram @philliphernandez, you’ll have seen that I recently spent some time in the South Pacific—mostly to celebrate some milestones and enjoy my birthday. (Not to surf.) My wife and I were only two days into our nearly 10-day trip, and libations are always at arms reach at our type of resort. I was sipping a bespoke frozen banana cocktail—thank you Likuliku for making me feel like a prince—and staring across the infinity pool towards an island that completes the lagoon for which our resort was situated. The perspiration from my beverage moistened the pages of my copy of 32.2 The Surfer’s Journal, so I decided to give my quality reading session a break…in exchange for a sweet sweet dopamine hit that only my phone could deliver. A quick scroll through the gram to post a story of my cocktail, and I was quickly removed from my paradise surroundings—shameful, I know. Naturally, I had to dive into my email to ensure that I wouldn’t return to a flood of unanswered potted meat—it was mostly spam. There was a name I didn’t quite recognize next to an accessory brand that I had recently interacted with—Juan Martinez (@BeersandCameras) and Marcus Yam visited my home studio not more than a few weeks prior to my travel, to film a quick unboxing for COOPH straps and talk Leica shop over Negronis. Rowynn Dumont had sent me an email with the subject line “COOPH INTERVIEW”. In my head, I thought he must have made a mistake. Surely, they meant to contact Beers and Cameras and talk more about their merchandise or the potential to produce more reels. After thumbing through the ask, I was elated beyond measure, throwing my sunglasses off, and yelling to my wife, “BABE! COOPH wants to do an interview!” It felt like all the late nights and early mornings spent honing my craft had culminated in this extraordinary opportunity. To have my images displayed alongside top-notch camera equipment and accessories was not only an acknowledgment of my dedication but also an invitation to share my passion with a wider audience.
One of the most rewarding aspects of this journey has been the opportunity to inspire others. I hope my journey as an ocean documentarian can be a beacon of encouragement to aspiring photographers and artists, urging them to pursue their dreams fearlessly (recklessly).
I want to extend my deepest gratitude to everyone who has been a part of my journey – my family, friends, fellow photographers, and the entire surf community. As for the recognition and presence offered by COOPH, thank you for recognizing the essence of my surf photography and for giving me a platform to showcase my work to the world. This collaboration is more than just a feature; it's a celebration of the love we share for the ocean and the magic of surf photography.
As I continue to ride the waves of creativity and explore the depths of my passion, I am filled with excitement for what lies ahead. My camera will forever be my trusted companion, and through its lens, I will continue to capture the beauty, power, and soul-stirring spirit of the ocean.