To The Land of the Pine: From Atlantic City to Wilmington

This was my first experience in the Outer Banks. The day prior was spent driving up and down highway 12 trying to find a safe break, but settled for a drifty, 8 foot+ closeout a few miles north of the light house. The swim was dreadful, but the following day at S-Turns (pictured) was flawless. Photo: Jake Zlotnick
My best buddy, Justin Parr, charging at the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. Justin and I get along because we push each other every time we get in the water. Photo: Jake Zlotnick
Parr’s air game has gotten exponentially better since I started hanging with him. Photo: Jake Zlotnick
The Steel Pier in Atlantic City always delivers in November. Photo: Jake Zlotnick
Masonboro Island is an uninhabited sand spit directly south of Wrightsville. Its another world over there. Photo: Jake Zlotnick
I also like taking pictures of lightning. Photo: Jake Zlotnick
This is Cobi Christiansen from Myrtle Beach. He studies rip currents and is about to graduate with his masters in physical oceanography from UNCW. Pictured is the deepest Wrightsville barrel in history, courtesy of Hurricane Gonzalo. Photo: Jake Zlotnick
Ocean City, NJ in January. Photo: Jake Zlotnick
Alek Rockrise is a good friend of mine, and one of the best and most versatile surfers I know. His nose work is my favorite, and on days like this I ride a foamy on the same wave to get angles. Photo: Jake Zlotnick
Accidental long exposure. Photo: Jake Zlotnick
The South End of Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina. I surf and shoot at Wrightsville in-between classes since its only 10 minutes from the UNCW campus. Photo: Jake Zlotnick
Brett Barley at his home break in Buxton, NC. Brett is one of my favorite surfers, so when I got to shoot with him on this epic day, I was geekin' out. He had 2 Gopro of the world entries from this evening in January of 2015. Photo: Jake Zlotnick
Cobi Christiansen sliding into a perfect Masonboro bowl. It gets dangerously crowded over there in the summer. Photo: Jake Zlotnick
Carolina Beach is bit of a drive, but definitely worth it when its firing. Shane Burn knows his home break well. Photo: Jake Zlotnick
Justin Parr, Hurricane Gonzalo. Photo: Jake Zlotnick
The Sweet Tea blew my mind when I first arrived in NC. It is really sweet. Photo: Jake Zlotnick
The view from the pocket of my home break. Photo: Jake Zlotnick
Hurricane Bertha on the Outer Banks. Most of my favorite line-up shots are taken through my housing as I’m running to the water. Photo: Jake Zlotnick
Dave Woegens and I had this break all to ourselves this June day in Central Jersey. Photo: Jake Zlotnick
Fisher Heverly is an amazing surfer. He will destroy any wave he surfs. Photo: Jake Zlotnick

I grew up working and surfing in Atlantic City, New Jersey. And it was there, in the Garden State, that I started shooting in-water photography for Stacey’s Surf Camp in nearby Margate. It didn’t take long until I figured out that the thrill in surf photography came from swimming out into big waves and shooting talented surfers, as opposed to shooting beginners on knee high wash.

Anyway, I eventually left South Jersey to attend the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, where I study Oceanography and Climate. Wilmington is an amazing city full of interesting and passionate people. There are a few classic waves in southeast North Carolina, though epic days are not as common. Luckily, the world class waves of Hatteras are only five hours away. I try to make the drive whenever I can get off from bussing tables at the Port Land Grille.

Having just turned 20, I have decided it is time to fully chase my dream of becoming a full-time surf photographer, and will be looking to focusing more on pursuing this passion this coming summer.

For more from Jake Zlotnick, check out website. And don’t forget to follow him on Instagram.