Film Photo Series: Leonie Anholts

Leonie Anholts is a surfer and film photographer based in Aotearoa New Zealand. After her takeover on our Instagram this week, we wanted to share with you more of her photos that capture light with grace and nostalgia, along with some of her words about life and surfing. Her photos make us want to grab a film camera and take candid photos of our sea sisters in the water.

What do you want people to feel when they see your photos?

To appreciate life. And the beautiful in the world-ness. Sometimes we get so caught up in life that we lose the connection to ourselves. We become identified with our thoughts and we have no headspace to notice the beauty around us. This happens to me multiple times per day. When I take my camera out, I slow down and become present. Especially when I’m out in the surf. Juggling a board, a camera and my own body at the same time requires focus and presence. 

 What is your favorite memory shooting? 

Probably a dreamy surf session at a surf spot in New Zealand a year ago with my friend Lily. The spot is on the north island and the conditions are very hard. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. The area is very scenic, you have to walk over the dunes to get there. On this particular day, Lily and I were very lucky. The sun was shining, no wind, very glassy, perfect size waves for our longboard and hardly anybody out. 

What does women's surfing mean to you?

As a female surfer, I always feel that men look out for me in the water. This might also have to do with the small community I live in. Everyone knows everyone and after being in Raglan for three years you really get to know the regular surfers. Although the majority of the line up is still male, there’s a big group of female surfers. There’s even a Facebook page that connects female surfers in Raglan. I remember feeling very intimitaded by crowds and bigger waves in the beginning. It’s encouraging when you see other women going out and share positivity and good vibes around surfing.