Meet award-winning photographer Joli

Photography Updates

Peter 'Joli' Wilson wins prestigious

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 28 February, 2013 : - - Well known surfing photographer Peter 'Joli' Wilson couldn't been happier to collect for the second time in his illustrious career, the photo of the year award (ginormous Cloudbreak during the 2012 Volcom WT event) at the recent Surfing Australia Hall of Fame Awards.

"I'm very stoked to have won this award. Second time in four years. It's a big honour and I figure I'm doing something right," graciously accepting on behalf of himself and his devoted wife and partner Jan.

"Without her support I wouldn't be doing what I do. She has even had a couple of covers of surf mags in the last two years," said Joli who's mother's name was Jolly which led to the Wilsons adopting Joli, French for pretty, as the signature name to credit his photo.

He was given a camera as a confirmation present by his God Father when only 10 years old and then his Grandfather who was a successful amateur photographer put Peter in the picture literally at 14 years of age, "After saving up for over a year, Grandad showed me how to develop and print my very first photograph of me holding my very first surfboard."

His first surfing photo was published in 1972 of North Narrabeen's Col Smith at Bells and he was inspired by seventies photo icons Bruce Channon (Surfing World) and Americans Art Brewer and Jeff Divine (Surfer Magazine). He worked for Quiksilver as their main ad and promo manager during the eighties and like a lot of other Victorians saw the light and moved to warmer waters on the Gold Coast to become a full time professional photographer.

Obviously the industry has changed with the advent of digital but as Joli says, "A good photograph is still a good photograph no matter on what or how it's taken. The basics of photography have not changed regardless of the instrument it's captured on."

His advice to any aspiring photographers is, "Be committed to your craft as it is getting harder and harder to make a living form surfing photography. Learn your craft well, read, study and take lots of photos. You have to enjoy what you do and also know that you have to take small steps. You are not going to be the best overnight. 'Luck' is spelt 'hard work."

Read the Full Article on Peter 'Joli' Wilson at Echo News Australia

www.joliphotos.com

Source: Echo News

Author: Andrew McKinnon

Tags: Joli, Australia, Cloudbreak

Photography: Surfersvillage