In this edition of “Backstories,” we step into the sun-drenched shores of Lanzarote through the lens of Adrian Rodd, a lifelong surfer and photographer. His latest series captures the essence of surf culture—an intimate portrayal of friendship, rhythm, and the deep connection between the ocean and those who call it home.
With an insider’s perspective, Adrian documents the beauty of his community, from the vibrant moments onshore to the rush of carving through glassy swells. What started as a spontaneous shoot with close friends evolved into a visual study of the lifestyle they’ve all lived since childhood.
Words from Adrian Rodd:
This project came about completely naturally, as I’ve been a surfer since I was a kid, and it’s the passion I pursue as a hobby in my free time. I have a great time photographing my surfing friends; it’s a lot of fun, and usually when I’m tired of surfing, I head in for a bit with the camera. I’ve done quite a few surf sessions before, but I’ve never done one that was more thoughtful and organized, spending a full day with the same models and naturally photographing their lifestyle and surfing.
Photography is a natural way to portray my community. Everything you see in this session consists of natural actions that my friends and I have practiced our whole lives; nothing is “acted.” I’ve been a surfer since I was 10, and it’s been my lifestyle to this day.
This shoot was filmed in Lanzarote, an island in the Canary Islands, my homeland. It’s known as the European Hawaii; we have the best waves in Europe and a great surfing scene. Plus, the climate is amazing, with blue skies and good weather practically all year round. It’s a pleasure to be able to shoot here.
The models are my lifelong friends. I just had to convince them to do the shoot since they had almost no experience in this field. But everything came together very naturally, and they were delighted. It was a really fun day.
It was a challenge to handle everything entirely on my own, from styling, props, transportation, surfboards, photography, and videography. It’s quite a job for just one person, but I love the results.
About the Series
“Backstories” looks at the passion and process behind standout work in our collection. In each edition, Stocksy’s curators spotlight one artist and the ideas that shape their work.
Explore more of Adrian's work
