Photographer Ben Thouard originally hails from the South of France, but now calls the stunning archipelago of French Polynesia home.

Rocked by waves and wind from a young age, Ben received an education in close connection with nature and especially the sea, not least from his father who was a sailor by profession. However it was his older brothers who first introduced him to surfing, and it didn’t take long for it become the central focus in Ben’s life.

At the age of 15 Ben discovered photography and began taking photos of his friends surfing. He then learned the basics at school in Toulon, before moving to Paris to study photography full time. After graduating Ben spent a couple of years travelling the world in search of pristine waves and picturesque landscapes. At 22 he decided to settle in Tahiti, and dedicated himself to photographing the island’s waves in new and creative ways, utilising fresh water angles and innovative compositions. Accordingly the images he shot at Teahupoo over the proceeding years are of unparalleled quality.

Ben is now one of the leading photographers in French Polynesia, having landed himself numerous mag covers, advertising campaigns and awards for his in water imagers. He also now dedicates a lot of his time to shooting Waves and Ocean images that feature on the walls of art galleries around the world.

Hit play and enjoy ten minutes of pure photographic splendour- it’s the perfect way to round out your week: