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Sebastian Imizcoz

Surf Photographer

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Sebastian Imizcoz

Mentawai Islands (Argentinian)

Hi, I would like to introduce myself, my name is Sebastian Imizcoz, I work in Mentawai, on the boat charters as a photographer, and would like to share some of my photos with you. My story began in Argentina where I was born in '72. Started surfing at the age of 13, and traveling as soon that was possible… Left my home in '94, and since there I'm on the road… Already lived in Brazil, Australia, Europe, and for the last 7 years, I spent 6 months a year in Indonesia, surfing and taking pictures, to keep me here…

I was the second digital photographer in Indonesia, since I know… The first one was an Australian call Carl, I met him in west java, he was taking pictures in '99 with his 2 mega pixels camera and a housing, making his living on that, carrying a big printer and a laptop… I always take picture before, because my father is a photographer, but I never think about doing as a way of life…

That same year I was with my 35mm equipment and take some surfing photos of the people that stay at west java with me, as we arrive in Bali I develop them and everybody want the copies, that's when I thought this could work… So went back to South America, try to save some money working as a waiter at a pizzeria in Brazil, didn't make much, but enough to buy a Sony 2 mega pixels camera, a Sony printer and 100 piece of paper to print… Didn't have enough money to get a laptop… I thought that with 100 papers it's gonna be fine for 6 month… I was totally wrong after 3 week in Nias, I run out of paper… And have to do all the trip back to Singapore, to find some more paper… I suppose to stay a month in Nias, and end staying 6 month… One of the nicest places to take photos, and a perfect background!!!!

After this season, I got back to Brazil for some more work, this time at a mega disco, 5,000 people in one night… Make a bit more of money and get the laptop, and more paper… But I spend all my money in paper, and arrive in Nias, early season with 200 dollars, not enough to go back home… I didn't have any waves for 3 weeks, so I past 3 weeks, taking a soup in the morning, biscuits in the afternoon and a nasi goreng for dinner… Didn't pay my losmen for this period, I have to ask the guy to wait till I sell any picture…

Anybody can think it's hard, but I love to sit there and wait till that place gets totally perfect!!!! This season I start to travel, spend also a few month in Bali, and Sumbawa. Get some great shots… Next season was arriving and then I do my first visit to Gland, I end going 4 times that season, what a great place… And also do 4 boat trips Lombok Sumbawa… great waves too…

There was in Nias this season that I took a picture that change my life… I sell a normal picture to a guy, and give my card… He was one of the co owners of Saraina Koat Mentawai, a boat charter company. I was working with landscaping in Switzerland and one day I find in my inbox an email from him. He was looking for a photographer to work on his boat, just a dream for me!!! Quit my job in Europe, and organize my things, the next season I was ready to work in Mentawai! This is already my second season over here, already have the opportunity to photograph the best surfers on the best waves in the world… Live so many different things, from earthquakes, storms, to the best waves you can ever imagine!!! Now my year is divide 6 month in Indo, and the rest traveling around, Switzerland, Brazil and Argentina…

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