Photographer and film director Michel Haddi's latest book celebrates Tahiti's natural beauty, surfing culture, and its people. In 2003, , known for immortalising the likes of David Bowie, Tupac Shakur, Aretha Franklin and with his portrait photography, set out on an unexpected trip to the vibrant shores of Tahiti for a photoshoot. What began initially as a routine assignment soon turned into a profound exploration of the island’s rich surf culture.
From a tiny boat, Haddi captured stunning images of Teahupo'o, one of the most powerful and deadly waves on the planet. He also took portraits of surfing legends, including Kelly Slater, widely regarded as the greatest professional surfer of all time. Now, over two decades later, Haddi is unveiling his long-awaited photography book titled " ", made up of images from his two weeks on the sun-drenched French Polynesian island.
And the timing for its release couldn’t be more perfect, with the cinematic buzz of the debuting Nicholas Cage’s adrenaline-pumping thriller "The Surfer," and the Paris Olympics just around the corner, where the world’s top surfers will attempt to conquer the legendary waves of Teahupo'o. In an exclusive interview, Euronews Culture sat down with Haddi to discuss the project, his inspirations, the challenges he faced, and the unforgettable moments along the way. What initially inspired you to create Tahiti Surf? About 25 years ago, my agent in Paris called me to his office and said, "Listen, I have a pro.
