Portfolio: Mike Coots

Photographer/Surfer

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$This is a shot I have envisioned in my head for a while, and only possible to shoot today with the invention of the GoPro. Shot at a beach break near my home. The board broke on this wave, but the vision made it worthwhile. Shot with the GoPro Hero 3+ and a Gripstick Pro Mount. Photo: <a href=\"http://www.mikecoots.com\">Mike Coots</a>$

This is a shot I have envisioned in my head for a while, and only possible to shoot today with the invention of the GoPro. Shot at a beach break near my home. The board broke on this wave, but the vision made it worthwhile. Shot with the GoPro Hero 3+ and a Gripstick Pro Mount. Photo: Mike Coots

$This was my first published image, which ran in Surfer Magazine as a spread in the Big Issue. I remember Andy really liking that pic, which really stoked me out. He was by far my favorite surfer to shoot. Very spontaneous and creative surfing, which made him exciting to shoot. I would sit in the pouring rain to shoot him surfing, and felt he was always on the verge of pulling the craziest maneuver. Kauai is just not the same without him around. 1/1200@F8 ISO 200. Shot with a 500mm lens. Photo: <a href=\"http://www.mikecoots.com\">Mike Coots</a>$

This was my first published image, which ran in Surfer Magazine as a spread in the Big Issue. I remember Andy really liking that pic, which really stoked me out. He was by far my favorite surfer to shoot. Very spontaneous and creative surfing, which made him exciting to shoot. I would sit in the pouring rain to shoot him surfing, and felt he was always on the verge of pulling the craziest maneuver. Kauai is just not the same without him around. 1/1200@F8 ISO 200. Shot with a 500mm lens. Photo: Mike Coots

$I enjoy spending the summer fishing from my Jet Ski. I mounted a Gripstick Pro mount on the sled hooked up to the GoPro Hero 3+. I am heading back to the harbor near my house after a wonderful afternoon sojourn. Photo: <a href=\"http://www.mikecoots.com\">Mike Coots</a>$

I enjoy spending the summer fishing from my Jet Ski. I mounted a Gripstick Pro mount on the sled hooked up to the GoPro Hero 3+. I am heading back to the harbor near my house after a wonderful afternoon sojourn. Photo: Mike Coots

$Bethany Hamilton shot at sunrise in Hanalei Bay. My inspiration right there! 1/125@f5.6 ISO 250. 35mm lens. Photo: <a href=\"http://www.mikecoots.com\">Mike Coots</a>$

Bethany Hamilton shot at sunrise in Hanalei Bay. My inspiration right there! 1/125@f5.6 ISO 250. 35mm lens. Photo: Mike Coots

$This is probably my favorite shot I have taken in the water. Kiron Jabour during the Backdoor Shootout. I won\'t lie, it\'s tough and very nerve-racking swimming at Pipe with one leg. My prosthetic is a total anchor and, with the ability to only wear one swim fin, can make it difficult. I started out shooting the small and medium-size days a few years back. One of the worst situations is getting caught inside and watching all the other photographers around you swim to safety in the channel. I feel like I am dragging an anchor (my prosthetic) going nowhere as the water gets shallower around me and then begins to boil. Then I know I am in for it and brace for a lip to the head. It feels like my heart is jumping out of my chest. Been smoked out there a bunch, all on the small and medium days. I had to push through that fear, and this image is a bit of a reward for overcoming those difficulties. 1/1250@f11 ISO 200. 70-200mm lens. Photo: <a href=\"http://www.mikecoots.com\">Mike Coots</a>$

This is probably my favorite shot I have taken in the water. Kiron Jabour during the Backdoor Shootout. I won't lie, it's tough and very nerve-racking swimming at Pipe with one leg. My prosthetic is a total anchor and, with the ability to only wear one swim fin, can make it difficult. I started out shooting the small and medium-size days a few years back. One of the worst situations is getting caught inside and watching all the other photographers around you swim to safety in the channel. I feel like I am dragging an anchor (my prosthetic) going nowhere as the water gets shallower around me and then begins to boil. Then I know I am in for it and brace for a lip to the head. It feels like my heart is jumping out of my chest. Been smoked out there a bunch, all on the small and medium days. I had to push through that fear, and this image is a bit of a reward for overcoming those difficulties. 1/1250@f11 ISO 200. 70-200mm lens. Photo: Mike Coots

$Not sure who this is, but it was shot in the evening at OTW. 1/2000@f5.6 ISO 400. 500mm lens. Photo: <a href=\"http://www.mikecoots.com\">Mike Coots</a>$

Not sure who this is, but it was shot in the evening at OTW. 1/2000@f5.6 ISO 400. 500mm lens. Photo: Mike Coots

$The prosthetic and leash have a love/hate relationship. I use a leash so that if my prosthetic gets ripped off, it will stay attached to my board to be easy to retrieve. It also wants to tangle around the aluminum ankle I am wearing many times a surf session. I have gotten very adept at using my good toes to untangle the tangle right before taking off. Shot with the the Hero3+ GoPro using a Gripstick Pro Mount. Photo: <a href=\"http://www.mikecoots.com\">Mike Coots</a>$

The prosthetic and leash have a love/hate relationship. I use a leash so that if my prosthetic gets ripped off, it will stay attached to my board to be easy to retrieve. It also wants to tangle around the aluminum ankle I am wearing many times a surf session. I have gotten very adept at using my good toes to untangle the tangle right before taking off. Shot with the the Hero3+ GoPro using a Gripstick Pro Mount. Photo: Mike Coots

$This is one of those times where you have to anticipate the moment. Although I was working for Quiksilver as a staff photographer, it takes a bit of instinct to know when he will show up to surf. I had a Quiky grom hold my strobe off camera, and got this moment near the water\'s edge at Pipe. There are about 40 people surrounding him, but with the magic of composition, you can remove those unneeded elements. Profoto 7B at full power, 1/200@f16 ISO 100. 70-200mm lens. Photo: <a href=\"http://www.mikecoots.com\">Mike Coots</a>$

This is one of those times where you have to anticipate the moment. Although I was working for Quiksilver as a staff photographer, it takes a bit of instinct to know when he will show up to surf. I had a Quiky grom hold my strobe off camera, and got this moment near the water's edge at Pipe. There are about 40 people surrounding him, but with the magic of composition, you can remove those unneeded elements. Profoto 7B at full power, 1/200@f16 ISO 100. 70-200mm lens. Photo: Mike Coots

$This is Dane Gudauskas at small Pipe. Although this image looks like its been \"photoshopped,\" it has not. A gorgeous sunset balanced with a single1200WS Profoto strobe popped at full power. I enclose the flash in contractor bags, and my assistant wears it in a backpack. If the backpack strap breaks (the flash setup is almost 50lbs), the contractor bag will hopefully prevent any electrical shock as the assistant often is wading in the shoreline to get the light source as close to the subject as possible. A bit dangerous in a way. You have one shot at full power, so it\'s exciting to anticipate the action and see what transcribes on the LCD after the shot is taken. 1/200@f11 ISO 400. Shot with the 70-200. Photo: <a href=\"http://www.mikecoots.com\">Mike Coots</a>$

This is Dane Gudauskas at small Pipe. Although this image looks like its been "photoshopped," it has not. A gorgeous sunset balanced with a single1200WS Profoto strobe popped at full power. I enclose the flash in contractor bags, and my assistant wears it in a backpack. If the backpack strap breaks (the flash setup is almost 50lbs), the contractor bag will hopefully prevent any electrical shock as the assistant often is wading in the shoreline to get the light source as close to the subject as possible. A bit dangerous in a way. You have one shot at full power, so it's exciting to anticipate the action and see what transcribes on the LCD after the shot is taken. 1/200@f11 ISO 400. Shot with the 70-200. Photo: Mike Coots

$Shot from a helicopter mid-afternoon at Pipe. Shooting from a heli is a bit tough as the pilot can\'t hover and wait for sets. Large loops from Waimea to Sunset are needed to not piss off the homeowners in the area. Always gotta keep moving. Communication is key with the pilot. If you are out of rhythm with your loops, you could very easily miss all the sets. Though Pipeline is the most photographed wave in the world, shooting from the sky can give it a different look and feel. 1/800@f8 ISO 125 Shot with a 70-200mm on the long end. Photo: <a href=\"http://www.mikecoots.com\">Mike Coots</a>$

Shot from a helicopter mid-afternoon at Pipe. Shooting from a heli is a bit tough as the pilot can't hover and wait for sets. Large loops from Waimea to Sunset are needed to not piss off the homeowners in the area. Always gotta keep moving. Communication is key with the pilot. If you are out of rhythm with your loops, you could very easily miss all the sets. Though Pipeline is the most photographed wave in the world, shooting from the sky can give it a different look and feel. 1/800@f8 ISO 125 Shot with a 70-200mm on the long end. Photo: Mike Coots

$Kelly at Backdoor on an early morning surf before the Masters started for the day. The beach was already packed, and I am sure a lot of people were wondering what this guy is doing laying on his stomach in the sand with a long lens. It must have looked random, like I was just shooting sand. I like the warm and cool tones of this image. 1/800@f5.6 ISO200. Shot with a 500mm lens. Photo: <a href=\"http://www.mikecoots.com\">Mike Coots</a>$

Kelly at Backdoor on an early morning surf before the Masters started for the day. The beach was already packed, and I am sure a lot of people were wondering what this guy is doing laying on his stomach in the sand with a long lens. It must have looked random, like I was just shooting sand. I like the warm and cool tones of this image. 1/800@f5.6 ISO200. Shot with a 500mm lens. Photo: Mike Coots

$Top turn shot with the Hero 3+. This Merrick is a magic board given to me by Bethany Hamilton. GoPro made me this neat surf handle that works well. A bit akward to paddle with it in your mouth though as it feels like I am getting waterboarded. Photo: <a href=\"http://www.mikecoots.com\">Mike Coots</a>$

Top turn shot with the Hero 3+. This Merrick is a magic board given to me by Bethany Hamilton. GoPro made me this neat surf handle that works well. A bit akward to paddle with it in your mouth though as it feels like I am getting waterboarded. Photo: Mike Coots

$Bruce, backside no grab over a very shallow reef. That\'s his specialty. 1/1250@f8 ISO 200. Shot with the a 10-22mm lens. Photo: <a href=\"http://www.mikecoots.com\">Mike Coots</a>$

Bruce, backside no grab over a very shallow reef. That's his specialty. 1/1250@f8 ISO 200. Shot with the a 10-22mm lens. Photo: Mike Coots

$This was shot for Quiksilver. Shayne McIntyre night surfing Waikiki. On-camera flash with a 10-22mm lens. 1/15@F2.8 ISO 800 at 1/16 strobe power. The camera flooded seconds after this wave, and although the gear was lost the image was salvaged. Stoked. Photo: <a href=\"http://www.mikecoots.com\">Mike Coots</a>$

This was shot for Quiksilver. Shayne McIntyre night surfing Waikiki. On-camera flash with a 10-22mm lens. 1/15@F2.8 ISO 800 at 1/16 strobe power. The camera flooded seconds after this wave, and although the gear was lost the image was salvaged. Stoked. Photo: Mike Coots

$I got caught inside by this wave early this winter. It was bigger than it looks, and a few minutes later, I lost my prosthetic leg on a bad wipeout, never to be seen again. 10 grand on the bottom of the seafloor. The toughest part was driving my manual transmission truck home that day without a leg. And that\'s why I now wear a leash 100% of the time. Photo: <a href=\"http://www.mikecoots.com\">Mike Coots</a>$

I got caught inside by this wave early this winter. It was bigger than it looks, and a few minutes later, I lost my prosthetic leg on a bad wipeout, never to be seen again. 10 grand on the bottom of the seafloor. The toughest part was driving my manual transmission truck home that day without a leg. And that's why I now wear a leash 100% of the time. Photo: Mike Coots

$Pipeline in all her glory. Shot with a 70-200 on the wide end. 1/1250@f11 ISO 200. Photo: <a href=\"http://www.mikecoots.com\">Mike Coots</a>$

Pipeline in all her glory. Shot with a 70-200 on the wide end. 1/1250@f11 ISO 200. Photo: Mike Coots

$Kamalei is one of my favorite althetes to shoot. He has a lot of talent and heart. I have probably shot him more than anybody else. Channel Island Surfboards sent him some SUPs and we had fun goofing around in the dark. Hardest part is getting the focus to catch. I shot it on another SUP without a water housing, but use a pelican case. On-camera flash shot at 1/200@f5.6 ISO 200. Photo: <a href=\"http://www.mikecoots.com\">Mike Coots</a>$

Kamalei is one of my favorite althetes to shoot. He has a lot of talent and heart. I have probably shot him more than anybody else. Channel Island Surfboards sent him some SUPs and we had fun goofing around in the dark. Hardest part is getting the focus to catch. I shot it on another SUP without a water housing, but use a pelican case. On-camera flash shot at 1/200@f5.6 ISO 200. Photo: Mike Coots

$Underwater image of myself with the GoPro Hero 3+. Photo: <a href=\"http://www.mikecoots.com\">Mike Coots</a>$

Underwater image of myself with the GoPro Hero 3+. Photo: Mike Coots

$Rob Machado mid-afternoon surf session on Oahu. 1/800@f8 ISO 200 Shot with a 85mm lens. Photo: <a href=\"http://www.mikecoots.com\">Mike Coots</a>$

Rob Machado mid-afternoon surf session on Oahu. 1/800@f8 ISO 200 Shot with a 85mm lens. Photo: Mike Coots

$Flynn Novak about to jump into the Ehukai Express. Shot from a helicopter. 1/800@f8 ISO 125. 70-200. Photo: <a href=\"http://www.mikecoots.com\">Mike Coots</a>$

Flynn Novak about to jump into the Ehukai Express. Shot from a helicopter. 1/800@f8 ISO 125. 70-200. Photo: Mike Coots

I was fortunate to be raised on the white sand beaches of Kaua’i. Shortly after high school, I lost my leg to a large Tiger Shark. It was a blessing, though, as it brought me to photography, which I learned during my downtime when I was injured. I love everything about capturing images. Finding the light, building relationships, and seeking out the unordinary is what I base my passions on. In my spare time, I still surf (now with a prosthetic leg) and am active in shark conservation.

See more of Mike’s work on his website and his Instagram: @mikecoots

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