Meet Ben Thouard and His Exquisite SUP Photos

You can see more spectacular work by Ben Thouard in the sample gallery below and at www.benthouard.com

TAHITI - Have you ever noticed some exceptionally unique and inspiring stand up paddle photos coming through your social media news feed or perhaps have seen some stunning tropical images on the BIC SUP website with SUPers who look like they are absolutely in paradise?   Meet the man behind the camera who has been able to capture such beauty and share it with all of us.

Ben Thouard was born in 1986 on the coast in the south of France.  As a boy he was introduced to the sea with family members who sailed, surfed and windsurfed.  Ben quickly gained a passion for water sports but when he was only 15 he also discovered photography and just knew that this would surely be his future job.  

After 7 years of learning and fine tuning his photo skills, with mentorships, studies in France, time spent in Hawaii, and years of traveling alongside professionals in search of photogenic landscapes and never before seen spots in the Caribbean, Hawaii or Polynesia, Ben decided to broaden his scope by capturing sports like surfing, kitesurfing and SUP.  All of this led to him settling down in Tahiti which is where many of his stand up paddle photos have been taken. 

Recently Supconnect was able to catch up with Ben and ask him a few questions about his stellar photography as it pertains to SUP.  Enjoy his answers to our questions below as well as the sample gallery of his work!

Q: Are you still living in Tahiti and are there any other places you think you might live?

A: Yes of course, Tahiti is my base and I love it.  I'm still travelling a lot for my job and I love going out and coming back after a while.  That's my balance.  I don't think I will be living somewhere else except maybe France because this is where I'm from ... but you know what, you never know!  This is the idea for now but many things can change.  One sure thing is that for now I'm loving my job in Tahiti...and I want to keep shooting in the water and traveling as long as I can.

Q: When did you take your first stand up paddle photos and what was the occasion?

A: I remember my first SUP shot was a water shot of Laird Hamilton at Ho'okipa Maui, HI!  I was swimming to shoot some windsurfing when Laird during his first tests of SUP downwind from Maliko to Sprecks passed by and took a wave at the point.  I remember the days when everybody was watching Laird pass by outside the north shore of Maui, in the wind, standing on his board with a Paddle.  Many guys could not understand and to be honest it did look weird at the beginning - and hard!  When you think what it has become today, wow he made so many people happy!

Q: If you could capture any stand up paddler in the world on film which one would it be and why?

A: This is a hard question, there are many SUPers that I appreciate and admire.  Of course Laird Hamilton, Kai Lenny, Raimana Van Bastolaer, Sean Poynter, Patrice Chanzy, Vetea David... and others are some insane riders because they are good in many different conditions.  I like their style because they charge, they go for it and they are truly passionate!

Q: Where do you think would be the ideal location to do photo shoots for stand up paddlers?

A: I really think Tahiti or French Polynesia have so much to offer!  I have been cruising in many spots / islands in these areas and have seen some perfect locations and waves!  Honestly French Polynesia is endless and offers many different locations for racing, down wind, flat water cruising and of course, perfect waves!  And I think I've seen only a small part of it!  I really want to shoot and discover more around here!

Q: What was the most dangerous or most risky photo you have ever taken?

A: I think that was my photo of Manu Bouvet that I shot from my motorized paraglider during our boat trip in the Tuamotu!  The photo that made the cover of Sup Journal (US) this past winter.  We were on a boat trip, lost in the middle of the pacific.  I brought my motorized paraglider in order to take some aerial photos!  After I found a good take off zone, I could fly above the spot and take some crazy aerial photos.  I'll remember this for a long time because it was such a challenge to be able to fly by myself over there.  I don't know if it was the most risky but it was definitely a memorable one!!

Q: Which of all your photos is your favorite one?

A: Another hard question for sure!  The photo shot from my para glider is probably one of my favorites but I have some other killer ones with my favorite SUPers such as Laird, Raimana, Kai, Patrice and Sean ...

Q: Other than your own, whose photos do you most admire?

A: I like Chris Burkard's work a lot!  He has a different eye and went a different direction than the rest of us.  Through his style and ideas he creates some fresh and new photos!  I say congrats!
 

Q: If someone is interested in following in your footsteps, how do you suggest that they go about getting into water sports photography? ·Please give us an idea as to what it takes to be successful.

A: I'd say one main piece of advice is: BE PASSIONATE! ·And of course be ready to work. ·It is a hard and tough job and you must be passionate to endure what it takes to get the job. ·Try to get new angles, get in the water, respect your work and the work of others and finally shoot!

Sample Photo Gallery:

To see and follow the incredible work of Ben Touard please click below:

Website: www.benthouard.com

Ben Thouard Photography Facebook Page

Ben Thouard Photography - Click Here·To Order Prints

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