SBR x NZSB Spotlight Series, presented by FYVE | standout Photographer
It’s back! The She’ll Be Right x New Zealand Snowboarding Spotlight Series, this time presented by our friends at FYVE.
Our industry is full of talent that deserves to be seen, and the Spotlight Series is all about getting those names out there. We're shedding a light on the up-and-comers making moves across our industry, from the riders pushing their progression to the filmers and photographers capturing it all. The people you should know, follow and keep an eye on, because we reckon they're only just getting started.
Ebba is pretty much part of the SBR furniture at this point, but over the past few seasons, we’ve watched her find her feet on the other side of the lens.
From riding at her first She’ll Be Right to capturing the action behind the camera, Ebba has been honing her craft like something fierce this season so we couldn’t be more stoked to see her work get the recognition it deserves.
We caught up with our favourite Swede to chat about her journey into snowboard photography, the art of capturing a good shot, and what’s next for her behind the lens.
P: Bri Woolnough
CA: Hey! To kick things off, can you tell us a little about yourself, where you're from and what you're up to at the moment?
EJ: I’m Ebba, I grew up in Sweden, and I work as a ski technician and a photographer. Most of my adult life I’ve been travelling, and in recent years I’ve been based between Europe and New Zealand. I’ve been coming to New Zealand for three years now; it’s just such a stunning country in so many ways. The nature, the people and the way of living keep me coming back.
CA: For the people at home, do you snowboard yourself? How did you first get into the snowboard scene?
EJ: I snowboard, even though I grew up skiing. The Scandinavians love their skiing, and my mom put me in ski school when I was 2. I only switched to snowboarding when I was 24, and I’ve been loving it ever since.
CA: When did you first pick up a camera, and what got you interested in photography?
EJ: I’ve always had a camera in my hand, ever since I was little. I love capturing moments and creating within photography.
CA: Do you remember the first time you took your camera on snow?
EJ: I started by just taking my point-and-shoot film camera a few years back in Australia. But it wasn’t until I was back in New Zealand that I started to take my Canon R6 into the park. It’s so much fun capturing the movement of the riders.
CA: Are there any photographers you really look up to? What do you love about their work?
EJ: Easy! Isami Kiyooka. He has just such an amazing way of turning action shoots into art. Clara Morberg. The way she uses the shapes between humans and nature is absolutely stunning.
CA: I can really see the influence of those two styles within your work. When you're out shooting, do you usually have a shot in mind, or do you prefer to see what happens?
EJ: I like scouting the locations and parks a bit before shooting. Sometimes I do have a shot in mind, and I’ll communicate that with the riders or models, though it depends on what I’m shooting. I love shapes, and I love the collaboration of the surroundings and the object. But sometimes the best shots come from observing how the riders or models interact with the environment a bit and go from there.
CA: What do you think makes a really good photo in snowsports? Is it the trick, the composition, the feeling it captures or something else?
EJ: A sick, clean trick will always be good, but in combination with the environment, it can really pop.
CA: You've been coming to She’ll Be Right for a few years now! Can you remember your first one and how you originally got involved?
EJ: The first one I attended, I was actually riding. My friend Cece told me about the event, and I had so much fun joining. The last few years I’ve been taking photos, and it’s been fun to follow the event from different angles. The course definitely stepped it up a level this year, and it was so much fun seeing what the riders did with it. For me, I feel more experienced as a photographer now, and I know what angles I want and where I should be to get that shot, so that felt like a win.
P: Ebbas favourite shot she took this season
CA: Was there a favourite moment or shot you captured this season? We'd love to hear the story behind it!
EJ: I think my favourite shot was of my friend Liam on jump 0, where you can see Cardrona Base in the background and the people on the chairlift in the foreground watching him. I love getting a good shot of my friends; it feels a bit extra special.
CA: What's it like having your photos in the spotlight? Is there anything you'd love to come out of it?
EJ: Oh man, I was stoked. There were so many good entries this year; it could’ve gone to anyone. I’m so thankful for the win and just so happy where my photography has taken me. It’s honestly a bit unreal seeing my shots on different platforms, and I’m just… stoked. A dream for me would be to shoot The Uninvited on their other stops and The Swatch Nines!
CA: What's next for you? Have you got any exciting plans for the upcoming winter?
EJ: I’m taking a vacation to Bali before heading back to Europe for another winter. I’m just gonna keep pushing, get myself out there and keep enjoying the craft.
