Collector Stories
Each image has a journey — from the moment it’s captured to the walls it now calls home. Here, collectors share their stories, reflections, and the personal meaning these pieces bring into their lives. It’s not just about the art — it’s about connection, place, and presence.
Perserverance
Chance Encounter
“A random trip. A roll of the dice. Mike had just finished cancer treatment, and we needed something to look forward to. I suggested a surf trip — as soon as he got the all-clear, we booked flights to a remote part of Panama with no real plan, just a swell forecast and a hope for good luck.
That’s when we met José — a local surfer with a boat, a huge smile, and deep knowledge of the breaks. With him guiding us, we scored empty waves surrounded by palm-lined islands and jungle backdrops. Total paradise.
At the start of the trip, Mike was still fragile. He wasn’t eating much, stayed layered up in the water, and looked weathered. But each day, I saw the color come back. The laughter. The power hacks. The sparkle in his eyes. By the end, he wasn’t just healed — he was whole again.
This photo means more than I can say. It captures not just the waves, but the return of strength, the magic of connection, and the joy of being alive.”
— Dan
Desert Showstopper
“Literally everyone who walks into my house stops and gasps when they see this. Show stopper! Thank you, Mike.”
— Karin, Palm Springs
“Hard work and perseverance is what made this shot possible.”
Midwinter. A big west swell mixed with a bit of south. Stormy the day before — winds unpredictable, ocean surface torn up. Surfline called it “poor to fair,” which meant one thing: uncrowded.
Mike and I met in the dark at River Jetties. I grabbed my step-up — a nameless 6'3 with a green paint job. He grabbed his camera housing. We knew the current would be a factor, so we made a plan: paddle in from the Huntington side and try to hold position in front of the river. That meant constant paddling for me — and one-armed swimming for Mike.
We’ve tried to sync up in big surf before — and failed. Too much drift, mistimed peaks. But this one clicked. A right-handed barrel came straight to me, and Mike was perfectly placed to look right into it. Timing, effort, trust. It all came together.
This image doesn’t just capture a wave. It’s a marker of everything that led to it — cold hands, swirling current, dozens of misfires… and one perfect link-up between surfer and shooter on a classic RJ day.
— Dan F