Adventure-seeking Miriam Joanna may have grown up near the snow-capped mountains of Austria, but it wasn't long before she chased her dream across the ocean! Jen Tyler tracked her down for this INSIGHT feature. Get to know this incredibly talented and creative photographer, filmmaker, graphic designer, and artist exclusively on IKSURFMAG!

Born and raised in Austria, how did you end up chasing waves and wind around the world?

Growing up by the woods, I was always out and about as a child, and fortunately, I got to travel to the ocean every summer and ski the mountains in the winter. Shortly after graduating from high school, I made a life-changing trip to Indonesia that convinced me I needed to keep exploring other cultures. After that, I decided to get a 6-month visa for Hawaii to properly learn how to surf and immerse myself in the surfing lifestyle.

What was it like living in Hawaii? Where do you live now?

After my first week of being on the island of Hawaii, I knew this place would teach me so much more than riding the waves in the ocean. It taught me how to read the "wave of life" and ride it!

The Big Island of Hawaii has so much diversity to offer, having 10 out of the 14 world's climate zones. In the wintertime, you can snowboard and surf in board shorts in one day; it's like driving from Austria's Alps to Indonesia's shoreline within 2 hours. 

Living there really puts you to the test. The locals say that the greatest goddess of the islands, which is Pele, the lava god, makes it very clear if you're welcomed or not. No place on this planet feels more like home to me than the Big Island does. I've been to Oahu and Maui, and they're in some ways even more beautiful with their lush greens, perfect wind and waves, but the Big Island will always be my home at heart. I've lived there on-off for over two years now. 

Where do I live now? Haha, well, let's just say I live on this planet. 

Tell us how you got into photography, film, graphic design, and art? Have you always had a passion for them?

Ever since I held a pen, I have painted and created. One of my best friends, a writer, said, "you cannot not create". I nourished my mind by looking at great photography books and magazines as a child. I would always be more interested in watching the behind-the-scenes activities than the actual film. So, in many forms, art has been continuously present in my life. I wanted to become a film director at some point in my childhood. Being able to express yourself without words has always been my preferred choice of "languages".

When did you discover that you could turn these creative passions into a career? What was your first paid project?

My first paid project was a photoshoot for an active swimwear brand. I decided to go for it since you don't know if you like it unless you try, right? What soon followed was another gig forwarded to me by one of the most well-known surf photographers. I felt like life was opening a new door for me. 

How did kiteboarding photography enter the picture?

While I was in Hawaii, my camera had already become a creative tool in my life, but the waves brought my creative spirit to the forefront. So I bought a used water housing and found myself more often capturing the waves than surfing them! A couple of years later, a friend asked if I could film a women's kiteboarding retreat. I had always wanted to learn to kiteboard since Austria's most famous kiteboarding spot is a 40 min drive from my hometown. I instantly loved the sport, and it allowed me to merge two of my favourite elements in one shot. 

What's it like working with kite brands rather than independently? Do they usually give you the concept of what they have in mind, or do you typically come up with that? 

It depends on the client; some have a clear idea of what they want. Another sees the answer to their question in my work. It's a beautiful thing trying to find the balance of expectations and meeting the needs of everyone involved. 

Speaking of working with kite brands, tell us a bit more about your own kiting! What's your favourite style of riding and place to ride?

Ever since I fell in love with the sport, it was evident that I would get into riding strapless at some point. I love warm water, so anywhere warm where I can ride my small kites.

We've seen some incredible photos you've taken from the water! What's it like shooting from water with massive waves? Any close calls? Camera damage? Dangerous marine life encounters?! 

Well, I'm never drinking coffee before a surf swim again; haha, there's nothing worse than getting held down by waves when your heart is high on caffeine. The ocean has put me in my place a couple of times but capturing a sport from within one of its elements is what it is about. Fortunately, my camera has survived so far and hasn't caused me any major headaches besides a tiny cut on my chin. Still, the most dangerous part of being in the ocean is the camera in the housing itself. I have a great love for sharks, and if in doubt, don't go out. 

It's clear from your portfolio that you have a passion for showcasing female athletes. Tell us a bit more about what that means to you!

I want to use my talents to create and support what I believe in / what I want to see. Most industries live off photos, film, and graphic design to promote their products. Therefore, as artists, we have a huge say in how things are presented to the public. It is so beautiful to see more and more women collaborating, and it's so inspiring to see more and more women stand up for themselves in very male-dominated industries. 

On my recent trip to Hawaii, I connected with Amanda Beenen Cantor, a Dutch surf photographer who lives on Maui and we ended up shooting together out at one of Maui’s surf spots! Two female photographers capturing one female professional kitesurfer. Neither one of us had been in such a situation before, it was just so powerful and beyond inspiring!! 

What is your favourite photo of all time, and what's the story behind it?

My favourite photo of all time? I love one of the first freestyle shots I took in Brazil of a friend of mine. While jumping over a wired fence, a dog jumped out of the water below him. It was just amazing how everything aligned at that moment. 

What has been the most exciting project you've worked on outside of the kite industry in the past couple of years?

I enjoyed working for the WMNSurf Magazine and connecting with various female athletes, filmmakers, and photographers around the globe. I interviewed Bethany Hamilton for their last issue and met up with many adaptive surfing girls, which was incredibly inspiring. 

You've done some insane board paintings! How do you capture someone's story and turn it into art?! What sort of questions do you ask to recreate their passion into an image?

Thank you! As much as I like to perceive the person I'm working with influences my work, I love to take notes of certain character traits and create an art piece based on that. It's fun to create custom art and embrace the customer's individuality. 

What paint do you use, and how do you protect it from getting damaged?

Depending on if I'm painting on a naked blank that will be glassed afterwards or on an already finished board, I'll use different techniques, primarily acrylic paint and paint markers, and then I finish it off with a clear coat. It's always fun to add the story of the board to an old board - I kind of use it as a canvas. But, what excites me the most is painting boards that are still actively in use. Seeing your art in action at Peahi - Jaws, for example, is just incredible! 

Tell us about the Sörf Film fest! What movie did you showcase there?

The Sörf Film Fest is a film festival touring through Austria, Germany, and Italy. This year we've had our second open-air cinema tour, which was established last year due to the Covid restrictions, and since it was so successful, 2021 was another open-air tour that took off! So, as a result, my short film, Sensation with Catharina Edin, was selected for the 2022 tour, which I'm excited about! 

You recently got back from a trip to Hawaii. How was it? Did you take your camera gear and kites with you?

I can't even describe how it felt to be back in Hawaii. My camera gear is always my companion since I usually go from one project to another. It was quite a mission to get there since the borders weren't open yet, so I had to include a 3-week stopover in Mexico on the way. Then, I couldn't get an approved Covid test in time on the mainland, so I had to do a 10-day quarantine as well. Nevertheless, I had an excellent session when I hopped over to Maui to link up with Peri Roberts. We shot some incredible footage that showcases her power.

We love your motto from your website: "Don't overthink. Just do it!" What's the story behind it?

Honestly, I miss having the simple mindset I had as a child, never getting caught up in weighing the pros and cons and just going for it. My motto is my approach in life and a continuous reminder of just giving it a try and forming my opinion upon the experience. If you want to change, do or achieve something, just make it happen because really, all you have is now!

 

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By Jen Tyler
Italian/Egyptian Jen Tyler grew up on the sandy beaches of the Red Sea and has been on the IKSURFMAG & Tonic Mag team since 2017.

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