West Australian surf photographer Jack Ogrady has earned a place among the country’s best after being named a finalist in the Surfing Australia Surf Photo of the Year, presented by FujiFilm Photos and Tracks Magazine.
The national award celebrates a single, compelling image that captures the true essence of surfing. This year’s Top 10 features some of Australia’s best surf photographers, both established and emerging, each chosen for their ability to translate the ocean’s power and emotion into one unforgettable frame.
Shot on the snow-covered coastline of northern Japan, Ogrady’s image shows Rusty surfer Letty Mortensen carving through a head high ripbowl with a snowy cliff backdrop. It is an image that blends surf, snow and adventure in a way rarely seen in Australian surf photography.
For Ogrady, the photo came after a day that had offered little hope.
“This shot came about while linking up with some of the Rusty team over in Niseko,” he said. “Letty (Mortensen) stayed a little longer and we scored some amazing snowboarding conditions. I have been working as a photographer and guide up in the Niseko area for a while and this was the first time I had run into anybody who has wanted to surf in minus ten during a snowy winter. Letty was really keen on the surf and snow mission, so we had our eyes on this spot with a perfect snowy cliff backdrop.”
On the day of the capture, the pair checked the wave at first light but found it completely flat.
“This wave is on the north east coast, so we are surfing the Sea of Japan, not the Pacific. It gets short period wind swell and can change quickly,” Ogrady said.
“After four or five hours of exploring with no real luck, we were about to call it a day but I wanted to check it again and to my surprise it didn’t look like a lake anymore. I started to see a couple of waist high runners coming through the bay. By the time I called the boys to come surf, we were looking at a head high ripbowl. The snow was coming in super heavy and sometimes you couldn’t even see Letty in the water. My hands were wet and freezing but the location is so beautiful that I knew something could line up. Luckily it did.”
Ogrady said being named a finalist is a huge honour.
“I’m super stoked to be in the top ten. Some of the other photographers are absolute black belts, so being on the same page as them is an honour. I’m happy to bring something different to the table that does not happen often.”
The Top 10 images will be showcased at the Australian Surfing Awards on December 6 at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, where the winner will be announced.
Finalists for the 2025 Surf Photo of the Year – TOP 10 (in alphabetical order):
Hannah Anderson
Jack Ogrady
Josh Tabone
Mark Ontorati
Matt Pearce
Peter Wilson
Simon Shepard
Stuart Gibson
Stuart Gibson
Ted Grambeau
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