Staffan Rennermalm - Water Photographer

A few years ago whilst on a surf trip to the Algarve, Portugal I met a fellow with a rather large lens on his camera. Needless to say I was a little jealous (of his photographic equipment).

I was even more jealous of his photos.

I was fortunate enough to be caught by his lens a couple of years later, for which I'll be eternally grateful, he managed to capture my surfing at the moment where I actually looked like I could surf. I've kept a close eye on this chap's work and I am always amazed at the shots he gets.

We at Surf Bunker caught up with Swedish based lens man Staffan Rennermalm for a few quick words.

SB: Hi Staffan, where in the world are you at the minute?

Staffan: For the moment I'm in Portugal on the Algarve coast in Lagos.I am working on a Bootcamp with surf coach Sam Lamiroy for The Surf Experience (Surf House and school).

SB: Are you managing to get any good waves?

Staffan: Yea, I always get a chance to squeeze in a surf session between my photography duty. We've had some really nice days down here.

SB: How long have you had an interest in photography and what got you started?

Staffan: I have been interested in photography since I was 20. I bought my first camera with my first paycheck when I started working after school. I have always been interested in photography and had fascination for images since I was a young kid. So buying a camera felt like a natural decision.

SB: Being as you’re from Sweden which is not best know for its surf, when did your relationship with surfing start and what is it about surfing that inspires you to take such great shots?

Staffan: In 2009 I went on my first surf trip down to Portugal. I had only tried surfing once before that in Australia. I brought my camera on that trip and I just fell for it all, both the surf photography and the surfing. I guess it's the ocean, the landscape and the dynamics of the sport that inspires me. Wave surfing is so much more dynamic compared to windsurfing, kitesurfing or bodyboarding. I love the movement of the surfer's body when he/ she's riding the wave.

SB: What do you think are the key factors that make a great surf photo?

Staffan: Patience, great light and take a lots of pictures. It helps a lot if you surf yourself for the understanding of the sport and what looks good.

SB: Where else do you get inspiration from for photography?

Staffan: Street photography, you can learn a lot from a street photographer. Especially when it comes to lifestyle pictures. Visit photo exhibitions and galleries from all kind of photographers not just surf photographers.

SB: You’ve managed to get a few shots in Wavelength magazine, how did that relationship happen?

Staffan: I've worked with Sam Lamiroy as a photographer and he writes a lot for them. So he been using my pictures for some of his articles.

SB: What are you working on at the moment?

Staffan: For the moment I'm editing the pictures from the Bootcamps with Sam. I shot 19000 pictures during three weeks with Sam.

SB:What are you plans for the future? Where do you see photography taking you?

Staffan: I would love to be able to surf and do more photography than I do now. When my kid's finished school I would love to move somewhere where the surf is a little bit more consistent than it is in Stockholm.