Hannah Schendel

My name is Hannah Schendel and I’m a California-based photographer. I’m drawn to the ocean, as it has always been a source of inspiration and calm in my life.

This project is meant to encapsulate the stillness and motion that can be found in and around the water in Malibu. With varying shutter speeds and a vibrant color palette, these images are meant to convey an aesthetic that is characterized by motion, color, and a tranquil intimacy that can only be found by the ocean.

My work is inspired by Morgan Maassen, who is an American photographer and filmmaker who is inspired by the ocean and captures the biggest stars in surfing like they’re his friends. His work environment is characterized by chaos and action, but he is able to set himself apart because of his uncanny ability to capture the quiet nuances of calm.

Morgan explained in an interview that “water is connecting all the dots in [his] life,” and I feel very similar to him in this aspect. Through a turbulent time of having to battle a chronic disease while growing up and dealing with all of the difficulties a regular teenager faces, the only place I have found therapy and calm has been in the water. Both mesmerizing and intimidating, turbulent and unpredictable, I feel the most joy when I’m lost within the peace and stillness of its depths. I surrender to the ebb and flow of the waves, allowing myself to forget everything and become weightless and free.

The vastness of the ocean puts everything into perspective. We are all just a small part of this wide wide world. No matter how chaotic life seems, there is always a way to find peace within ourselves.