After a profound scare on a surfing trip as a teen, an Australian surfer discovered God and channeled both his faith and his artistry into a new profession: ocean photography. Through his powerful and breathtaking images of breaking waves, he shares his reverence for God and nature with the world.
“Becoming a photographer has been an amazing way to marry my perspectives on life and spirituality,” 35-year-old self-taught photographer Phil Thurston, from the South Coast of New South Wales, Australia, told The Epoch Times.
Phil grew up very close to the ocean in a small town with his two elder brothers. The trio mostly lived on the beach and learned to surf and gain confidence at a very early age in life.
After picking up the lens in his early 20s, Phil’s fascination shifted from riding the waves to instead capturing them.
After traveling around Australia and Hawaii in pursuit of a surfing career, he knew that he wanted to translate the breathtaking moments of energy at the ocean he came across and share them with people.
On a trip to Hawaii at the age of 17, Phil had a life-changing moment at the sea.
He recalled: “One day, a big swell was on. I quickly realized my extremely fragile mortality, and I had a pivotal experience with God that literally changed every aspect of my life and direction. God suddenly went from a somewhat fictional character in my life to the sole reason I’m still alive today.
“Ever since that day, I’ve gravitated toward operating out of a place of revelation, understanding that what I’m shooting and working with is intentionally designed and artistically woven together. My faith being incorporated into my art isn’t necessarily an intentional thing, it’s just at the very core of who I am and why I’m here.”
