Life by the Sea by
Amanda Prifti
wSSm | womenssurfstyle.com | 223
“
I grew up on the East Coast of the US near both mountains and coast, but university followed by the classic work grind got me stuck in city life. It took me 27 years to really connect with the ocean and when I did, it changed my life. In 2018, I went to Sri Lanka for what I thought would be a short holiday, but I took a surf lesson and was hooked. I extended my visa and started surfing for hours every day. A few weeks later, I saw someone come out of the ocean with a camera and flippers and it blew my mind. It hadn’t even occurred to me that people would go into the water and photograph. I looked at that person with an intense curiosity. I couldn’t stop thinking about it. Two months
222 | womenssurfstyle.com | wSSm
later, I took the leap and bought a water housing. After my first swim out and the worst photos I have ever taken, I knew it was one of the best decisions I had ever made. Through surfing, we connect with nature in such a pure way, accepting and utilizing the given conditions. As photographers, we do the same. Inspired by the sea and my fellow surfers, I seek to capture the beautiful moments and emotions of riding waves. Being a surf photographer is so fun, it’s as much of a sport as it is a form of art. I love capturing heavy surf in a slightly soft and artistic way. The adrenaline and excitement of being inside the water photographing is un-
like anything I’ve experienced. You’re navigating the intensity and strength of the ocean, while trying to capture ‘the shot’ - it brings me completely into the present moment and everything on land disappears. I love it. One of my goals for the coming years is to continually progress into heavier waves so I draw a lot of inspiration from other women who swim out and shoot big surf, like Sachi Cunningham (@seasachi) and Maria Fernanda Bastidas (@mariafernandaphoto). Their work is beautiful, and they show that women can get out in heavy conditions, too. It’s very inspiring.
n
Amanda
Website: www.priftistudios.com Insta: @photosbyprifti
”
Life by the Sea by
Amanda Prifti
wSSm | womenssurfstyle.com | 223
Tranquility | Bali
“
Through these photos, I aim to capture the beauty of surf and life by the sea. These photos are from my first year as a surf photographer, mainly taken in Sri Lanka, and they showcase the wonderful women I’ve met who have inspired, and helped shape my style.
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”
Life by the Sea by Amanda Prifti Ines | Sri Lanka
Ines | Sri Lanka wSSm | womenssurfstyle.com | 225
Serenity | Sri Lanka
Ines | Sri Lanka 226 | womenssurfstyle.com | wSSm
Sri Lanka
Ines | Sri Lanka
Life by the Sea by Amanda Prifti wSSm | womenssurfstyle.com | 227
Sri Lanka
Life by the Sea by Amanda Prifti
Claudia | Sri Lanka 228 | womenssurfstyle.com | wSSm
Ines | Sri Lanka
Martina Burtscher | Sri Lanka wSSm | womenssurfstyle.com | 229
Becca | Bali 230 | womenssurfstyle.com | wSSm
Life by the Sea by Amanda Prifti
wSSm | womenssurfstyle.com | 231