“Since the 1930s, the east coast of Florida has been a hot spot for surfing. Daytona Beach pioneered some of the first organized competitions and influenced the surfing community we see today. After moving here four years ago, I have been surrounded by the surf culture. I have had the opportunity to meet and photograph a variety of talented surfers. The locals here are very passionate when they talk about the sport they love and unites those who share the interest. The love of the ocean brings people together and builds a respect for what the beach provides. Surfers have an intriguing way of life that varies so much from the average person. The surfer mentality is to enjoy every moment as it is happening; the wave will end but there is always another one behind it.

Surfing consumes and constructs the daily life for those who participate. For many, the ocean is the first thing they think about when they wake up and the last thing they check before they go to sleep. The sport strengthens the relationship they have with the ocean and the personal connections in their lives. It can be a passion a parent passes onto their children, a hobby that brought a couple together, or a moment of peace for individuals. Those I capture in this series, make up this community, ranging from surfers themselves, board shapers, to surf schools. In these images, I serve as a bystander looking into their lives and show an appreciation for the people who make surf culture what it is.”

-Jordon Ziegler

 “What is identity? Is it how we portray ourselves, or does it stem from how people perceive us? Using anonymity and surrealism to push the boundaries of what people think about others is a strange mix-up. Inspired by the surreal works of Karen Khachaturov, I aimed to make my work just as intriguing and weird as his. Each person in this series is adorned with a paper bag, a simple yet powerful object that creates a veil of anonymity. Despite the concealment, these individuals continue to engage with objects and the world around them. The bag, barring them from the world and its engagement. We are barred from seeing who each person is and their expressions to the actions around them.

In a world where external appearances often dictate perception, my work challenges viewers to look beyond the surface and consider the essence of individuality that lies beneath the bag. I aim to highlight the barriers and constraints that society places on individuals, preventing them from fully expressing themselves or being seen for who they truly are. Only through anonymity can one push the envelope on society’s perception and constraints of others."

-Kyle Rohrer

 “In the dynamic landscape of Central Florida, continual growth and economic prosperity have led to a rapid evolution in architectural design. With an influx of new residents, tourists, and businesses, there’s an ever-increasing demand for sophisticated living spaces, commercial hubs, and recreational amenities. This surge in development has transformed not only the skyline but also the essence of our built environment.

As an architectural photographer, I have keenly observed this shift, and how it has also unexpectedly influenced a particular segment of previously bland building design. Traditionally, hospitals were characterized by utilitarian exteriors, emphasizing function over form. However, spurred by the region’s burgeoning healthcare industry and the competitive drive to attract clientele, there has been a remarkable transformation. Today, medical institutions boast exteriors that rival luxury hotels and upscale residential complexes, exuding an aura of prestige and sophistication. In fact, major healthcare corporations have gone so far as incorporating distinctive architectural features to enhance brand recognition and assert their presence in the urban landscape.

My photographic series “Transforming Traditions” endeavors to capture this intriguing metamorphosis, where hospitals, once inconspicuous institutions, now blend seamlessly with the opulent facades of high-end resorts and commercial establishments. They have emerged as architectural marvels, vying for attention and admiration in prominent locales of Central Florida”

-Ronald Brett