For years photographer Steve Sherman has been on the frontlines of the Championship Tour (CT) capturing the most intimate, poignant moments. One of his favorite subjects, and good friends, is Joel Parkinson. After joining the Tour in 2002, at the conclusion of the 2018 Billabong Pipe Masters, Parko rode off into the sunset. Reflecting on his incredible career, Sherman dove into his archives to pull some of his favorite moments.
Joel Parkinson, Mick Fanning, North Shore, 2012. - WSL / Steve Sherman
After Parko won, everybody was at the Billabong house giving toasts. Somebody gave him that shirt. Parko doesn't take things too seriously. He has a good sense of humor. That was a fun night - a genuine celebration because everyone was so happy for him.
Joel Parkinson, Gold Coast, 2003. - WSL / Steve Sherman
I was in Australia in 2003 and we were going to shoot some portraits, so I went over to his house above Kirra and had him put his suit on. I didn't know where we were going to go with it, but I knew I wanted to get him in a tie. So, he put it on and sat down. He was looking a little rock and roll, kind of like Angus Young. To think that he had another 15 more years on Tour ahead of him, it's incredible.
Joel Parkinson, Mick Fanning, Bells Beach, 2009. - WSL / Steve Sherman
With surf photography so many of the photos end up being tight, close-up but when you look at skate photography a lot of the best photographers pull back. So, that's something that I thought about here. Pulling back a little bit, shooting in black and white, and making it look a little more urban. It has more context and tells more of a story.
Joel Parkinson, Bells Beach, 2009. - WSL / Steve Sherman
I love that split-second connection where they're looking at you like a friend, not a photographer. That look on his face, it's that intimacy that you're trying to capture. This was right after he won Bells in 2009. They were coming up the stairs and I was able to shoot down on him getting chaired up. We made that connection and he's got the rock and roll fingers going. It's a special connection.
Joel Parkinson, Kelly Slater, Burleigh Heads, 2003. - WSL / Steve Sherman
Parko had just beat Kelly in a really tight heat at Burleigh Heads in 2003. This surf fan came up and wanted to take a photo with them, so I shot it. We did it but they both look very uncomfortable.
Joel Parkinson, Bruce Irons, Reef McIntosh, Beau Emerton, Steve Clark, North Shore, 2003. - WSL / Steve Sherman
This is after Andy had won his second World Title at the Red Bull house at Off The Wall. This is the frontlines of decadence. Parko's in the middle with Reef McIntosh, Bruce Irons, Beau Emerton and the Billabong team guy at the time, Steve Clark. It's a pretty classic moment.
Joel and Monica Parkinson, Kirra, 2009. - WSL / Steve Sherman
Parko and Monica totally in the moment. What I really love about this shot is she's got the Dior sunglasses on. It's like a scene you'd see at a pro golf tournament or something. She's all class. They're such a solid couple. They're still so in love. I'm such a fan of both of them.
Joel Parkinson, Stephanie Gilmore, Gold Coast, 2013. - WSL / Steve Sherman
This is at the banquet in 2013. It's just a really special moment where everything came together. They both look so good. Sometimes it just takes one shot to capture that split-second of magic. It all came together here.
Joel Parkinson Retrospective
Jake Howard
For years photographer Steve Sherman has been on the frontlines of the Championship Tour (CT) capturing the most intimate, poignant moments. One of his favorite subjects, and good friends, is Joel Parkinson. After joining the Tour in 2002, at the conclusion of the 2018 Billabong Pipe Masters, Parko rode off into the sunset. Reflecting on his incredible career, Sherman dove into his archives to pull some of his favorite moments.
After Parko won, everybody was at the Billabong house giving toasts. Somebody gave him that shirt. Parko doesn't take things too seriously. He has a good sense of humor. That was a fun night - a genuine celebration because everyone was so happy for him.
I was in Australia in 2003 and we were going to shoot some portraits, so I went over to his house above Kirra and had him put his suit on. I didn't know where we were going to go with it, but I knew I wanted to get him in a tie. So, he put it on and sat down. He was looking a little rock and roll, kind of like Angus Young. To think that he had another 15 more years on Tour ahead of him, it's incredible.
With surf photography so many of the photos end up being tight, close-up but when you look at skate photography a lot of the best photographers pull back. So, that's something that I thought about here. Pulling back a little bit, shooting in black and white, and making it look a little more urban. It has more context and tells more of a story.
I love that split-second connection where they're looking at you like a friend, not a photographer. That look on his face, it's that intimacy that you're trying to capture. This was right after he won Bells in 2009. They were coming up the stairs and I was able to shoot down on him getting chaired up. We made that connection and he's got the rock and roll fingers going. It's a special connection.
Parko had just beat Kelly in a really tight heat at Burleigh Heads in 2003. This surf fan came up and wanted to take a photo with them, so I shot it. We did it but they both look very uncomfortable.
This is after Andy had won his second World Title at the Red Bull house at Off The Wall. This is the frontlines of decadence. Parko's in the middle with Reef McIntosh, Bruce Irons, Beau Emerton and the Billabong team guy at the time, Steve Clark. It's a pretty classic moment.
Parko and Monica totally in the moment. What I really love about this shot is she's got the Dior sunglasses on. It's like a scene you'd see at a pro golf tournament or something. She's all class. They're such a solid couple. They're still so in love. I'm such a fan of both of them.
This is at the banquet in 2013. It's just a really special moment where everything came together. They both look so good. Sometimes it just takes one shot to capture that split-second of magic. It all came together here.
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