After shooting the surf competition at last year’s Summer Olympics (and shooting that photo of surfer Gabriel Medina), sports photographer Jerome Brouillet needs little introduction. Based in Tahiti, Jerome has carved out a unique niche in surf photography, capturing the power and grace of some of the world’s most iconic waves, including the legendary Teahupo’o.
But Jerome’s work is more than just the excitement of big wave surf competitions. His photography is deeply rooted in his passion for sports, adventure, the raw beauty of nature, and the emotions that ensue. DIYP was honoured to chat with Jerome about his approach to photography, how taking the Golden Moment captured the imagination of the whole world, and what he’s up to next.
DIYP: Tell us a little about your work and how you’d describe your photography
Jerome: That’s a big question! I didn’t study photography or learn it formally. For me, it’s more about feelings. I started by taking pictures of things I love, especially sports. I’m a huge sports lover, I enjoy action, adventure, and sports. When I was young, I’d take a camera to film my friends skateboarding.
Later, I bought small action cameras, and eventually, I got a proper camera. I learned photography from a friend, and it all started from there. My passion for sports led me to photography, and I began capturing moments with my friends. Eventually, I moved into more professional work.
I think that passion really comes through in my work, it’s vibrant and full of energy. For me, it’s more about the sports; sports lead me to photography, and photography leads me to work around sports in different ways. That’s probably the best way to describe it.
DIYP: You’re from Southern France, so how did you end up in Tahiti?
Jerome: Yes, I’m from Southern France. I ended up in Tahiti because of sports and my girlfriend. Her dad lived in Tahiti a long time ago, so she used to visit him there every year when she was younger. When we met as adults, she had an opportunity to go to Tahiti for five months for work. Since I’m a surf lover and Tahiti has some of the best waves in the world, I told her I’d come for a holiday while she was there.
At the time, the plane tickets were very expensive, so it felt like a once-in-a-lifetime trip. I went for a month, and she showed me the best places in French Polynesia. I fell in love with the place, and we managed to go back there to live. Before I went to Tahiti I was already a surf fan, I’d watch surfers on TV. When I went and saw them in real life, surfing one of the best waves in the world, it was incredible. I was hooked.
DIYP: What makes a great surf photo, in your opinion?
Jerome: I’ve had the chance to take most of my surfing photos in one of the most beautiful places in the world, with one of the best waves—Teahupo’o. When shooting there, I learned that not only is the surfer important in the photo, but the wave is also a character. That’s why I love taking wide-angle shots of surfing, it helps explain the composition and the wider view of what’s happening.
When Teahupo’o is big, you can see the wave starting from far away, creating the beginning of the wave, and then it comes toward you. You see the surfer riding it, and in the background, you see the ocean hitting the reef. It’s amazing. Every wave is different, and that’s the magic of surf spots. Even when there’s no surfer on the wave, it’s still interesting to shoot because the water is always moving.
DIYP: Are you shooting mostly from the shore, or are you on a boat? How does that work?
Jerome: At Teahupo’o, you have to shoot from a boat because it’s about one kilometre from the shore. It’s not like Pipeline, where you can shoot from the shore with a good lens. In Tahiti, the wave is far out, which is why there was a lot of talk about building a tower for the judges to be closer to the action during competitions.
Shooting from a boat can be challenging. I grew up on my family’s sailboat, so I don’t get seasick, which helps. You spend 10 to 12 hours on the boat during competitions, from early morning until late afternoon. The boat is constantly moving, and sometimes the wind direction makes it uncomfortable with the smell of boat fumes. The biggest challenge is the weather, you’re exposed to rain and sun, and you have to protect your gear from the saltwater spray.
DIYP: How do you protect your camera gear from the water?
Jerome: I do my best, but the cameras don’t love it! We use covers like T-shirts or towels, and when the spray comes, we cover the cameras. When it’s safe, we remove the covers and shoot. It’s a constant process, and it’s pretty archaic, but it works. I don’t use waterproof housing because it’s heavy and limits access to the camera buttons.
DIYP: What gear do you typically shoot with?
Jerome: I shoot with the Nikon Z8, which is probably the best camera I’ve ever used. I love using wide-angle lenses and versatile zoom lenses like the 24-120mm and the 70-200mm. For Teahupo’o, I usually bring two cameras with different lenses so I don’t have to switch lenses on the boat, especially with all the salt in the air.
DIYP: Can you tell me about shooting the Olympics last year? How was that experience?
Jerome: Shooting the Olympics was fantastic, especially because it was surfing. I was shooting the sport I love most in the place I love most, with French surfers and local surfers. It was an incredible moment, especially when Kauli Vaast won the gold medal at home. The emotion of the sport is what I love most, and seeing people I’ve watched for years grow up and win in front of their proud community was amazing.
DIYP: When did you realize you’d taken the defining photo of the Olympics—the one that went viral?
Jerome: I realized it was something special when I got back to the marina. I was working with AFP (Agence France-Presse), and we sent the photo directly to their editor. I didn’t realize at first that Gabriel Medina was perfectly aligned with the cloud in the background, I only saw that later. The photo went viral within 15-20 minutes, and my Instagram exploded. By the time we got back to the marina, I had hundreds of emails for interviews and requests from major news outlets. It was surreal.
DIYP: How do you feel about the photo now, especially since it’s not a traditional surf photo?
Jerome: I know it’s not the best surf photo, and some surf photography purists don’t love it. But it became iconic because of the moment and the emotion it captured. There are many iconic sports photos that aren’t traditional action shots, like Muhammad Ali standing over Sonny Liston. This photo opened doors for me, and now people can see the rest of my work, which is the best part.
It’s been interesting to see how people reacted to the viral photo. Many thought it was fake, but what surprised me was how many people defended it and cared about the photographer’s rights. It’s encouraging to see that people still value the work of artists, especially in a world where content is often shared without credit. It’s been a great experience, and I’m looking forward to what’s next.
DIYP: I saw you recently went to the desert. That’s quite different from surfing! Can you tell us about that?
Jerome: Yes, the desert was amazing. A friend who introduced me to photography invited me. He’s been a professional photographer for over 15 years, and he goes on off-road trips in the desert every year. This year, I finally joined him. It was one of the best trips I’ve ever done. Navigating the dunes was like sailing, you have to read the terrain and find the best path. The landscape was breathtaking, and it was a perfect place for photography.
DIYP: What’s next for you? Any exciting upcoming projects?
Jerome: I’m focusing on galleries now. I’ve been contacted by a sports gallery in Paris, and I’m talking with another one. I want to focus on printing my work, which is a different process than sharing on social media. When you print, you pay more attention to the details because any mistakes become obvious. I’m excited about this new direction.
You can see more of Jerome’s work on his website, or follow him on Instagram.
