For its 2016 Body Issue, ESPN The Magazine sent Steven Lippman to Tahiti to photograph pro surfer Courtney Conlogue in the nude amid the sparkling waters and dramatic skies of the lush island.
“Shooting Courtney in Tahiti was about as amazing as it could get. The beautiful landscapes, crystal-clear waters, and powerful surf were a perfect setting to make this shoot topnotch,” says Steven. “Courtney was a true rock star on the shoot. Her attitude and openness to the concepts are what really made it a success.”
Steven and his team worked closely with Raimana Van-Bastolaer, a local guide/surfer/waterman who knows every nook and cranny of the island. “Raimana made sure we were always in the right place at the right time,” says Steven. “From the moment we arrived to when we were boarding the flight back home, we always felt like we were in good hands with him.”
At times, rain squalls, bad winds, and a lack of surf conspired to jeopardize Steven’s shoot, but he and his team worked together to overcome the weather challenges. “It’s crucial to travel and work with people who have positive attitudes,” he notes. “That can really make or break a shoot.”
Steven also extends a special thanks to the following: “Kristen Geisler and Karen Frank at ESPN for making this project happen; Courtney for being the MVP of the shoot; Michael Searle for all your support and hard work; Raimana for making us feel like family and welcoming us into your home; all the Tahitian locals who helped us along the way; and Air Tahiti Nui for the amazing travel.”
Scroll down or click here to see behind-the-images from Steven’s shoot with Conlogue. And to watch a BTS video, click here.
Pro surfer Courtney Conlogue riding the waves in Tahiti. Photo by Steven Lippman for ESPN The Magazine’s Body Issue.
Photo by Steven Lippman for ESPN The Magazine’s Body Issue.
Photo by Steven Lippman for ESPN The Magazine’s Body Issue.
Photo by Steven Lippman for ESPN The Magazine’s Body Issue.
Photo by Steven Lippman for ESPN The Magazine’s Body Issue.
Photo by Steven Lippman for ESPN The Magazine’s Body Issue.
Photo by Steven Lippman for ESPN The Magazine’s Body Issue.
Photo by Steven Lippman for ESPN The Magazine’s Body Issue.
Photo courtesy Steven Lippman Print + Motion.
Photos courtesy Steven Lippman Print + Motion.
Steven rock running 20 to 30 feet under during a break from the shoot. Photo courtesy Steven Lippman Print + Motion.
Photos courtesy Steven Lippman Print + Motion.
Photo courtesy Steven Lippman Print + Motion.
Photos courtesy Steven Lippman Print + Motion.
Photo courtesy Steven Lippman Print + Motion.
