Photo of the Month

Photo of the Month

Morgan Maassen

Maldives, Malia Manuel, Meridian, Morgan Maassen

spending long hot days in the Maldives is equal parts intense as it is stunning. when the sun rises at 5am and sets at 9pm, the heat kills you and even the ocean is not refreshing to swim in. at high noon, when the heat surpasses 35c and everyone hides in the shade, i find the colors to be most vibrant: the rich blues of the sea, the blinding white sand, and the lush green jungle of the islands... it takes my breath away. i love photographing there, but i won't lie... it can be more intense than idyllic.

Morgan Maassen (b. 1990) is an American photographer and filmmaker for whom the ocean has always been a constant source of inspiration and calm. A visual storyteller, his images capture the magic of life in and around water, and reflect a reverence for nature, as well as a passion for architecture, fashion, and travel.

“when i was 18 and first started exploring photography, i immediately became obsessed with shooting at night. I’d explore Santa Barbara by bike, spending long sleepless nights huddling up near any body of water or clear vantage point, to then fumble with a self-timer, trying to align a composition that wasn’t blurry or under-exposed. with so much trial and error throughout the years, it has become one of my favorite methodologies to shoot… for its slow, peaceful measure and way of observing the world in minute long intervals, breathes new awe into the most simple of moments.” – Morgan Maassen

morganmaassen.com

Morgan Maassen in the Press:

The dangerous life of

Morgan Maassen

MattLief Anderson

The Adventure Handbook

Morgan Maassen enjoys art, music, fashion, traveling, cloudscapes, and the ocean. Given that he divides work between shooting world-class surfers and whales at sea with grand scale commercial ventures, you bet this photographer and videographer has a fairly laid-back approach to his craft…

Fish Out of Water:

Talkin' Rain Dogs with Surf Photographer Morgan Maassen

Ethan Stewart – Bomb Snow

The youngest staff photographer ever on the masthead at Surfer Magazine, Maassen walked away from that dream gig before he turned 22. He was on to a much coveted spot as staff shooter with Quicksilver, working primarily with Kelly Slater ..

Female Surfer Controversially cut from World Tour Flaunts "Revenge Film"

Jen See – Beach Grit

Last week Morgan Maassen emailed me and promised free coffee if I would run a story about his latest film project “Malia…” Morgan has a perceptive eye for pattern and texture that gives his films an immersive quality. At times, he seems to have a magician’s ability to bend light to his will…