Riding the Light

From the waves of the Gold Coast to some of the world’s most powerful surf, Josh Bystrom has spent a lifetime chasing the perfect shot. Growing up in the water, he developed an instinct for reading the ocean — a skill that now defines his photography. While he shoots a range of subjects, it’s his surf imagery that has earned international recognition. LOCALE was fortunate to feature one of Josh’s images on our summer cover, a moment that captured his deep connection to the ocean.

We caught up with Josh to talk about his journey behind the lens, and his enduring love of light and water.

Growing up on the Gold Coast, the ocean was your playground — how did that shape the way you photograph waves today?

Growing up somewhere with such clear water and beautiful beaches definitely shaped how I see the ocean. I was always surfing, always noticing moments that felt incredible — dolphins moving through a wave, or a perfectly backlit barrel at one of the Coast’s point breaks. Photography became a way to document those moments once I picked up a camera.

With both your parents in photography, and your dad Chris being a surf film legend, how did that influence your path behind the lens?

It was massive. I always had cameras around the house growing up. Being surrounded by that world definitely made picking up a camera feel natural.

Waves are clearly your signature — what is it about shooting them that keeps pulling you back in?

Waves were what drew me to photography in the first place. My first camera was bought with a water housing, and shooting from the ocean felt natural from the start. I didn’t really consider shooting from land until much later.

Are there any standout moments you’ve captured in the water?

Shooting Kelly Slater at different locations around the world has been pretty surreal. I grew up idolising him, so being able to document him in the water has been incredibly special. Beyond that, light is everything for me — those moments just after sunrise or before sunset create so much atmosphere.

Your work is now recognised internationally — how does that shape your creative drive?

I see it as motivation. I’m always pushing to be better, and I draw inspiration from other photographers I admire. Creativity never really stands still — there’s always room to evolve.

Are there any dream waves or locations still on your list?

I love Fiji and Hawaii and have been lucky to spend time in both, but Tahiti — Teahupo’o — really fascinates me. The clarity of the water and the intensity of that wave are on another level.

After photographing waves around the world, what keeps pulling you back to the Gold Coast — and where do you still love to shoot locally?

The Gold Coast will always be home. The climate, the lifestyle, friends and family — it’s a special place. Kirra is my favourite break to shoot when it’s on; it only fires a few times a year, but when it does, people travel from everywhere. Recently, I’ve also been getting more into underwater photography. Cook Island, off Fingal, is incredible — turtles, dolphins, harmless sharks, and if you’re lucky, whales passing by. It’s a reminder of just how rich our local waters are.

@joshbystrom | joshbystrom.com