Ok, ok – so I know I said I was going away for a while – and I have – but thanks to the magic of scheduled publishing I’m here to say what an absolute thrill it is to have the photographic brilliance of Matt Johnson right here on Cohabitaire!

You might otherwise know Matt as the sea life, a chronicle of surfing life on the east coast of Australia and beyond. Hope you enjoy this e-interview with Matt who kindly took time out to share a few shots and thoughts into his world of photography…

Hey there Matt and thanks for taking time out for Cohabitaire.
Let’s get the run-down – what’s your story? How did the sea life start and how has it evolved?

Thanks for having me! So stoked for the opportunity to be involved in Cohabitaire…

I first picked up a camera when I was 15 and have been shooting whatever I was into since then. I started the sea life in ‘08 after my brother suggested bringing the daily surf photography email to Cronulla. For 2 and a half years I was at the waters edge shooting the sunrise, the waves and those riding them and sent the best 10 photos out in an email to a list of several thousand ocean stoked subscribers.

The sea life has now evolved into a blog style website. The sea life is continuously evolving, who knows what it will look like in another 2, 5, 10 years! I’ve got a bunch of ideas for it, it’s just a matter of finding the time to do them.

There are tonnes of surf photographers out there, but your distinct style of mixed media and photos, covering all kinds of board styles (longboarding, bodyboarding etc) really set you apart. Can you tell us a bit about your approach?

I’m just glad you think my style is distinct!…Nothing is original anymore, I’m just recreating things I’ve seen before & hoping they come out reflecting me, my experiences & how I see the world.

As far as subject matter I think I’m more drawn towards photographing the person on the board, not necessarily the board they’re on. I love shooting surfers who you can tell what their personality is like by how they surf…It’s about the approach not the execution. But if the execution looks good that always helps!

As an ocean based activity, how significant do you believe surfing is in reconnecting urban dwellers with nature?

I think getting back into nature is hugely important for everyone. Whether it be a forest, desert, ocean, backyard, opening the window of your office, wherever! Humans aren’t created to exist within 4 walls. Keep sane, go outside.

What are your favourite locations to shoot & what makes them so special?

Basically the whole east coast of Australia. It’s got everything! The south of France is cool & I’m hoping to get over to California before too long as well. There’s this one spot only a few hundred metres from where I live, it only breaks a few times a year when all the stars align but that would have to be my favourite place to shoot.

Can you share with us the most recent/favourite photo on your camera and explain a bit about it?

I don’t really have one favourite photo, after every shoot I’ll have a new favourite but it will only last until the next time I get the camera out… A recent photo that I am stoked on atthe moment is this one taken a few weeks ago on Queensland’s sunshine coast {see below}

It’s more what the photo represents & reminds me of than what’s in the photo I guess… It’d been really windy, rainy & cold for 2 weeks straight at home in Sydney, my wife & I flew up to Brisbane and the next day I drove to the sunny coast. The sun was out, it was warm and the winds were offshore all day. It was a more than welcome change from what we’d been stuck indoors with at home…Ask me next week & I’ll have a different favourite photo for sure.

Any parting words for budding photographers?

Just keep shooting!

See more at Matt Johnson Photography & the sea life

About Ingrid Schroder

A Sydney-side freelance graphic designer, photographer & yoga teacher - I find myself turning to nature for guaranteed revival from the crazy pace of city life - be it digging in my garden, capturing natural beauty through a lens, floating in the ocean, practicing yoga or out exploring this incredible planet we all call home. Follow me on twitter @Cohabitaire