Surf photography, much like surfing itself, is populated by a male majority. And if you think about it, the women that do swim into some of the world’s heaviest waves with a camera and a water housing are just as much trailblazers as the ones who surf them. Maria Fernanda is one of those women.
Born and raised in Mexico, Maria grew up swimming competitively and had always wanted to be a photographer. And ever since she put the two together she’s been swimming in some of the North Shore’s heaviest lineups as well as Puerto Escondido on its biggest days. You’ve likely seen her images before but probably don’t know her story, like how it all got started, and even the time she found herself floating in the lineup on a 20-foot day with torn ligaments in her knee.
