By John Hook
Surfers have inspired me so much. Just seeing these guys in videos made me really wanna get out there and have fun surfing. I thought I could return the favor, by turning them on to photography. Instead of taking pictures of my heroes at the recent Surfer Poll Awards, I put the camera in their hand and asked them to take a picture of me. I simply asked them, “Can I get you to take a picture?…” They were quick to say, “yes” and either hold up their award or strike a pose for me, then instead of taking their picture, I would add, “…take a picture, of me” and hand them my camera and smile and wait for them to take a picture of me by myself.
It was very fun to see the reactions of the surfers, some of them seemed confused, some of them laughed it off, and some of them really got into it and spent some time getting a quality shot. Some of my favorite “photographers” were: Jason Shibata, Freddy P, Sal Masekela, Joel Tudor, Rob Machado and David Rastovich.
Now I have 25 pictures of myself taken by heroes; that’s the award that I brought home.
Photo by Jason Shibata
Photo by Fred Patacchia
Photo by Sal Masakela
Photo by Chris Cote, Transworld Surf
Photo by Mark Healy
Photo by Joel Centeio
Photo by Keala Kennelly
Photo by Joel Tudor
Photo by Pat O’Connell
Photo by C.J. Hobgood
Photo by Mark Occhillupo
Photo by Dave & Crystal
Photo by Coco Ho
Photo by Zak Noyle
Photo by Jordy Smith
Photo by Rob Machado
Photo by Ian Walsh
Photo by Bethany Hamilton
Photo by Carissa Moore
Photo by Taj Burrow
Photo by Kelly Slater
Photo by Dane Reynolds
Photo by John John Florence
Photo by David Rastovich
Photo by Owen Wright