From Kona on the Big Island of Hawai’i, Sarah Lee is incessantly
glued to camera viewfinders, DaFiNs, and the sea. Her love for
photography, particularly underwater and surf photography was shaped by a
childhood where she was constantly playing in and around the ocean. As a
long-distance swimmer and surfer, her strength as an athlete in the ocean
and tide allows her to capture swimmers and surfers in the special way she
does beneath the sea. "My aim in making photos is to capture and
accentuate the beauty in what surrounds me. Photography to me is a mode of
visual problem solving and a way to perpetuate the stoke, whether it be
above the surface or below."
How did you get started in photography and how do you describe your style?
I got started in photography through my desire as a child to get out,
explore, and capture what surrounded me - whether in the coffee fields of
Hawai'i or the coastline and the ocean. Once I figured out what a camera
could do, I was hooked and it took off from there.
I would describe my style as simple, light-hearted and fun. My primary aim
with photography at this stage in my life is to capture the joy and beauty
found between the interaction of humans and the sea.
What is the most challenging shoot you have ever done and why?
Since the beginning of 2012, I’ve been out and about shooting photo and
video content for a adventure film series that’s starting up, Alison’s
Adventures <https://www.alisonsadventures.com/> (www.alisonsadventures.com).
It was a huge challenge, traveling around to various destinations such as
Australia, New Zealand, Hawai'i, Grand Canyon, and Fiji as a two-girl team
both doing the work of a full production team, lugging around cameras,
tripods, sound gear, boards, sponsor gear to shoot, and ocean gear in
varying weather conditions and trying situations. Tons of work but totally
worth it.
What is the shoot you are most proud of and why?
I was commissioned to shoot underwater photos of the capsule collection for
forte_forte, an Italian fashion company. It was very challenging and
tricky to take out very expensive pieces of clothing and photograph them
"under the clouds" of the sea, still life and on models. The models and I
worked very hard to make those photos happen, and because of our hard work,
the photos turned out amazingly!
What is the best time of the day for you to shoot underwater photos?
For "standard" underwater photos, early morning to early afternoon is the
best ... though I have been falling in love with taking underwater photos
within the last hour of the setting sun.
Please share with us some tips on how to constantly improve your style?
For water photography, it's all about going out there and seeing what
happens. Perfect planning to put yourself in the place for perfect
accidents to happen ... because there's not much you can control once
you're in the water and the ocean will give you something different every
time!
