Focus on The Details

Photography By Emma Emelie

Photographer Emma Emelie documents the underground surf and skate scenes in along the North Sea in Belgium. She opens up about finding balance, waiting weeks for good surf, and finally getting the perfect shot.

Ostend, Belgium

How did you begin your photography journey?

I had always been super interested in photography.

When I was 18 I started out modelling here and there but soon I found out I was more interested in standing behind the camera than in front of it. It started off with buying a small digital camera to take on trips.

With no technical knowledge whatsoever, I put it in automatic mode and started shooting my surroundings.

But I had this vision in my head of certain shots I wanted to create, and realised I had to up my gear if I were to do so.

Especially because most of these ideas I had, were ocean or surf shots.

In 2019 I finally bought a second hand camera and water case. I had no big experiences with photography on land, let alone in the ocean. The only thing I had was my vision, and the privilege to be introduced to the local surf scene by one of Belgium’s best surfers.

From the get go, I was able to get some of the best surfers of my country in front of my lens, and things just went from there.

What are some things you have learned along the way ? How have you grown?

I’ve definitely learned to become a perfectionist. In my pictures, but also in my own surfing and skating. I remember at the beginning of my photography journey I would get super stoked of certain shots. But when I showed the surfer or skater they’d tell me that 'their hands aren’t too stylish’, ‘their posture looks off’ or ‘their toes aren’t fully over the nose’. I learned to focus on the details that others (non-surfers or skaters) might not see.

Also, that taught me that there really is a difference in how people look at certain shots.

It inspires me to create images that mean something different to different people.

What has been your greatest struggle as a photographer?

Like I mentioned before, I became more of a perfectionist about my own surfing or skating. Being surrounded by great surfers and skaters made me very aware of my own skills and style. For a long time I’ve struggled to find the balance between the two: will I grab my camera or my board?

I usually tend to grab the first and that kind of put my surfing on hold.

Another struggle I have might be the country I live in. Don’t get me wrong, I love my home town and will always be happy to come home. But as a surf photographer my options are limited here.

How would you describe your style? What makes it unique from other surf and skate photographers?

I think it’s really hard to put a label on my style. It’s changed over the years and I’m pretty sure it will be an endless evolution. However, right now I think my style can be described as ‘raw’ and maybe a little ‘abstract’? With the grey, cloudy environment I usually shoot in, I love to add my black and white presets to my pictures and throw a ton of grain on there. In more exotic landscapes I love to use the colours and create dreamy visuals. Although I think that every photographer’s work is unique, I think it’s my vision and my eye for detail that makes my work typically me.

Tell the story behind one of your images

This is one of my favourite pictures I’ve taken so far. I took it in May 2019 in Biarritz, France at the ISA World Longboarding Championship.

It’s the silhouette of Belgian surfer Sascha Borrey, while he was getting ready for a warm up session before his heat later that day.

It was one the first big surf events I went to and we were all so stoked that the Belgian team got to represent our small piece of North Sea amongst all these big names.

I love the picture because it represents what I look for in a shot: a motionless picture that still makes you feel something. This one makes me feel calm. And a little proud.

Your work focuses on surf and skate culture around the North Sea. What about this area makes the surf and skate scenes unique?

What I love about it is that it kind of feels like an underground surf scene. More specifically the Belgian surf scene. You wouldn’t believe how many times I’ve had to explain to people from my own country that you can in fact surf in our ocean. Granted, we don’t have frequent surf, and sometime we have to settle for small, choppy waves. But that’s exactly what makes the scene here so unique. It’s the people who get out of bed at 5am, put on their 5mm hooded wetsuit, boots and gloves, after waiting for weeks to finally get good, clean conditions. And when that happens, you get the best shots ever. There’s nothing like North Sea stoke.

The other side of this story is probably one of the reasons why our skate scene is so epic. When there are no waves, we take our boards elsewhere. Concrete.

Next to the insane skateboard talent we have here, there is also a huge growth in popularity of surf skates. When it’s flat for weeks, it’s so nice to still be able to find waves on the street and even perfect your surf skills. I’m very proud to be ambassador for YOW surf skates and get the chance to kind of take my surf photography to land.

How does the North Sea influence your photography?

Shooting in the North Sea definitely boosted my creativity. I like the idea of finding beauty in chaos, and the North Sea provides just that. It has also made way me more attentive in the line-up. When I’m traveling and shooting in clear blue water with idyllic sceneries in the background, I notice I’m selecting so much more pictures than I do when I shoot the North Sea. The North Sea doesn’t provide you wave after wave, and surfers here don’t always get the chance to surf at their best due to the conditions (especially in Belgium). It’s a (cold) waiting game, but when you do get that shot, it’s so worth it.

If you can shoot any surf or skate scene in the world, where would you want to go?

Since I started photography I haven’t had the chance to travel outside of Europe. As cliché as it sounds, I would love to visit Hawaii and go to the roots of what I’m so passionate about. Being able to shoot the best of the best, in the most iconic surf spots, is something I’ve always dreamed of.

Another dream location for me is Norway. It’s not an obvious surf scene and that’s what draws me to it. Icebergs and hooded wetsuits versus palm trees and board shorts.

As for skate, I usually have visions of certain urban settings with crazy architecture, monuments, murals… I like to just scout locations as I go.

What’s next for you?

Next up for me is to follow up on the previous question. I’m graduating in June and I want to start travelling and visit all these places I’ve been dreaming of. Especially after the two year travel-ban due to covid.

Hopefully I get to shoot projects across the world, visit all kinds of surf and skate spots and contests, build my portfolio and eventually build my name as a photographer.

I’m super stoked to see where life will take me next, and I can’t wait to share my whole journey with the world.