Welcome to socalaquashots, where a deep love for the ocean meets the art of photography.

I’m Gwendal, a surfer, photographer, and marine professional. For over 25 years, I’ve been immersed in the worlds of surfing, marine conservation, and fisheries policy. The ocean has always been a constant; a place of connection, inspiration, and grounding. It’s a way of life, and it’s also what shapes every photo you’ll find here.

Raised across the globe and shaped by coastal life in California, Costa Rica, France, Mexico, and the UK, I’ve always found sanctuary in the ocean. My days often start before sunrise, managing translation and consulting projects that support sustainable ocean governance. The rest is spent in the water, surfing with a camera tucked into my wetsuit or boardshorts. I take most of my shots while I’m out there, paddling through the lineup or waiting for the next set, capturing whatever unfolds around me. It’s a simple, spontaneous way of creating, and it’s where this project began.

Each image starts with time in the ocean. I shoot while waiting for waves, admiring the weather and wildlife, or on the paddle back out. It’s unpredictable and often challenging, but that’s part of what makes it meaningful. After that comes the quieter work: reviewing shots, editing with care, designing products, and keeping the site up to date. It’s a slow, hands-on process that mirrors the rhythm of surfing itself: always changing, always teaching.

Beyond photography, I run a consulting and translation business working with NGOs and international organizations in marine conservation and fisheries management. That perspective adds depth to how I see the ocean; not just as a photographer, but as someone who works every day to help protect it.

This project has always been rooted in sharing and community. Over time, the work behind it has grown: more travel, time, equipment, printing, software, outreach, marketing, and care devoted to doing it properly. My goal is to build socalaquashots into a self-sustaining photography business. Not simply for the sake of it, but so that the photography can increasingly support itself. Each sale brings the work closer to financing the equipment, travel, production, and other costs that make it possible to keep exploring, creating, and sharing more of what I find along the way.

And as the project grows, I want its ability to give back to grow with it. I share a portion of proceeds with coastal communities by helping local kids and supporting local causes, and I hope to do much more of that as I travel and photograph in new places. One of the things I value most about this project is the opportunity to share the love, with friends, surfers, and communities around the world, and to give something back to the places and people who have welcomed me so generously.

socalaquashots is my way of sharing what the ocean gives me: the stillness, the power, the beauty, and the wild moments in between. Whether you’re a surfer holding onto a perfect session, a beach lover in search of ocean-inspired decor, or someone who simply finds peace in the sea, I hope these images speak to you.

In the gallery, you’ll find ocean-inspired artwork from Southern California, Costa Rica, Mexico, and beyond. I offer premium wall art, jigsaw puzzles, T-shirts, digital downloads, and desk mats/mousepads for sale online, for your home, office, or as a gift for the ocean lover in your life.

Thanks so much for being here. Whether you’re browsing, shopping, or just enjoying the view, I’m grateful to share these moments with you.

Let’s make waves together 🌊🌴

Find me on Instagram @socalaquashots

Select photographs are also available for licensing for editorial and commercial interior use.

Note:

All artwork is sold exclusively online and fulfilled through US-based sources. While much of the imagery is inspired by time spent abroad, I do not sell or distribute my art locally.

Todas mis obras de arte se venden exclusivamente en línea y se gestionan a través de proveedores con sede en EE. UU. Si bien gran parte de las imágenes están inspiradas en el tiempo que pasé en el extranjero, no vendo ni distribuyo mi arte localmente.