Photo Feature: In the Water with Megan Espinoza

Megan Espinoza is an up-and-coming ocean photographer from Dana Point located in Southern California. Megan’s hometown of Dana Point is her main source of inspiration because surfing is at the heart of her town. Megan captures rare moments in the water to give her a better connection to the ocean and the people around her. We sat down with Megan to learn more about her art.

When did you start taking photographs? Was there a defining moment that pushed you into photography?

I started taking photographs when I got my first digital camera on my 13th birthday. As a kid, i’ve always played with disposables, but right when I laid my hands on my first real camera, thats when I got attached to photography. Through the years, my best friend Bina Hernandez has given me her hand-me-downs of all kinds of lenses so I could start off as a surf photographer on land.  Since i’ve always had continuous love for the ocean, I thought to myself “What if I combined my two favorite things in life?” which was photography and the ocean. A year later after that…  I have saved up some of my own money to buy my first waterhousing. I felt like my dream had came true and it actually did. My defining moment that got me continuing and going deeper into surf photography was the year of Hurricane Marie. I remember the swell hit big out to the west coast and I knew that I had to get in the water. Yes, I was the only girl out in the water shooting the big crowd of surfers.

What equipment do you work with?

I have a Nikon d3100 and I use a SPL Waterhousing.

Who and what inspires you?

My parents are my biggest inspirations. They have supported me through everything that I have put my mind to. I have taken every advice they had given me, and turns out they were right every time. I don’t know where I would be in life at this point without them. What I also think inspires me is the whole surf culture. I love the people, the language, the fashion, and the lifestyle.

What does Seadom mean to you?

I love the company of Seadom. I am truly honored to be on the team and would like to spread it out to all the “Ladysliders” out there <3

Words of wisdom for aspiring photographers?

Be the person who you are. Don’t pretend to be someone else you are not because in the end people will love you for who you are. Thinking outside of the box is key. Don’t let anyone in your way of accomplishing something you put your mind to. Have good confidence in yourself no matter what. Remember, when you smile about the life you live, you end up living a worth smiling about :)