"Building a Killer Surf Photography Portfolio to Land Featured Features in Top Surf Magazines"

Pitching to Surfing Magazines & Publications: How to Build a Killer Portfolio as a Surf Photographer/Videographer

As a surf photographer/videographer, you're constantly chasing the next big shot – and getting your work published in top-tier surf magazines is the ultimate goal. But how do you build a portfolio that showcases your best work and increases your chances of landing a feature or two?

We've got an example to illustrate this point: let's say we have two surf photographers, Alex and Ryan, who are both looking to pitch their work to Surf Magazine.

Example Scenario

Alex has been shooting surf photography for years and has developed a unique style that blends stunning visuals with captivating storytelling. He's worked with top surf brands like Quiksilver and Volcom, and has even been published in local surf magazines.

Ryan, on the other hand, is just starting out in the industry. He's still honing his skills and building a portfolio from scratch. Both Alex and Ryan are eager to get their work seen by Surf Magazine, but they're not sure where to start or how to showcase their best shots.

Building Your Portfolio

To build a killer portfolio that showcases your surf photography/videography skills, you need to have a clear idea of what sets you apart from the competition. Here are some tips to get you started:

1. Define your niche: Focus on a specific type of surfing or a particular style (e.g., action shots, portraits, landscapes). This will help you stand out and attract the right audience.
2. Create a diverse portfolio: Include a mix of different types of surf photography and videography to showcase your versatility. This could include shots from various locations around the world, as well as different formats like stills and video.
3. Use high-quality images and videos: Invest in good cameras and editing software to ensure your work looks its best. Make sure all your files are properly labeled, captioned, and organized for easy searching.
4. Edit and curate your work: Editing is key to making your portfolio stand out. Learn to edit your photos and videos with a purpose – focus on the story behind each shot, rather than just showcasing pretty images.
5. Get feedback from others: Share your portfolio with other surf photographers/videographers, editors, and industry professionals to get their honest feedback and insights.

Pitching to Surf Magazines & Publications

Once you've built a solid portfolio, it's time to start pitching to surfing magazines and publications. Here are some tips to increase your chances of getting published:

1. Research the magazine: Understand what they're looking for in a submission. Are they interested in action shots, portraits, or something else?
2. Read their recent issues: Check out past issues to see if there are any features that align with your work.
3. Write a compelling pitch: Highlight your unique style, experience, and the value you bring to the magazine. Be specific about why your work is relevant and what it can do for them.
4. Attach a strong portfolio: Make sure your submission includes a solid portfolio that showcases your best work.
5. Follow up: If you don't hear back within a few weeks, consider sending a follow-up email or making a phone call to inquire about the status of your pitch.

Surf Magazine's Pitch

Let's say we're pitching Alex and Ryan's portfolios to Surf Magazine. Here's an example pitch:

"Hi [Editor's Name],

We're huge fans of Surf Magazine and believe our work would be a great fit for your publication. As surf photographers/videographers, we've spent years honing our skills and building a portfolio that showcases our unique perspective on the sport.

Our portfolio includes stunning action shots from around the world, as well as more intimate portraits of surfers in their natural habitats. We're particularly proud of our ability to capture the beauty and emotion of surfing, and we believe it would resonate with your readers.

We'd love the opportunity to discuss our work further and explore how we can contribute to Surf Magazine's mission of inspiring surfers around the world.

Thanks for considering our pitch!

Best regards, Alex and Ryan"

Conclusion

Building a killer portfolio as a surf photographer/videographer takes time, effort, and dedication. By defining your niche, creating a diverse portfolio, using high-quality images and videos, editing and curating your work, and pitching to surfing magazines and publications, you can increase your chances of getting published.

Remember to research the magazine, read their recent issues, write a compelling pitch, attach a strong portfolio, and follow up. With persistence and hard work, you'll be able to showcase your surf photography/videography skills and get featured in top-tier surfing magazines. Here's a comparison of the two pitches in a table format:

Category	Alex's Pitch	Ryan's Pitch
Focus	Unique style and experience as surf photographers/videographers	Niche (e.g., action shots, portraits) and portfolio development
Portfolio Strengths	Diverse portfolio with high-quality images and videos, including global locations and different formats	Strong, curated portfolio showcasing unique perspective on surfing
Pitching Strategy	Focuses on building a killer portfolio from scratch, highlighting industry experience and relevance to Surf Magazine	Researches magazine's recent issues and pitches for features that align with Alex/Ryan's work
Tone	Friendly, enthusiastic tone, emphasizing the value of their work and the fit with Surf Magazine's mission	More formal, polished tone, highlighting specific strengths and achievements in Alex/Ryan's portfolio
Call to Action	Invites editor to discuss work further and explore potential features	Requests feedback on submission, including following up if not heard back within a few weeks

This comparison highlights the key differences between the two pitches. Alex's pitch focuses on building a killer portfolio from scratch, while Ryan's pitch researches Surf Magazine's recent issues and pitches for features that align with his work.