Sunfire
Frenchman’s Beach, La Perouse, August 2024
“As the sun began to dip below the horizon, heavy clouds hung low in the sky, casting doubt on the perfect shot I was hoping for. I stood waist-deep in water, camera ready, waiting patiently for a break. Then, just at the right moment, the clouds parted, revealing the sun’s fiery descent. The reflection danced across the rippling surface like molten light — and that’s when I captured this image I call “Sunfire.””
Framed print by Simon Sheppard
Image size 60cm x 40cm printed on metallic pearl paper mounted with a white matboard and framed in a black frame with UltraVue glass.
Frenchman’s Beach, La Perouse, August 2024
“As the sun began to dip below the horizon, heavy clouds hung low in the sky, casting doubt on the perfect shot I was hoping for. I stood waist-deep in water, camera ready, waiting patiently for a break. Then, just at the right moment, the clouds parted, revealing the sun’s fiery descent. The reflection danced across the rippling surface like molten light — and that’s when I captured this image I call “Sunfire.””
Framed print by Simon Sheppard
Image size 60cm x 40cm printed on metallic pearl paper mounted with a white matboard and framed in a black frame with UltraVue glass.
Frenchman’s Beach, La Perouse, August 2024
“As the sun began to dip below the horizon, heavy clouds hung low in the sky, casting doubt on the perfect shot I was hoping for. I stood waist-deep in water, camera ready, waiting patiently for a break. Then, just at the right moment, the clouds parted, revealing the sun’s fiery descent. The reflection danced across the rippling surface like molten light — and that’s when I captured this image I call “Sunfire.””
Framed print by Simon Sheppard
Image size 60cm x 40cm printed on metallic pearl paper mounted with a white matboard and framed in a black frame with UltraVue glass.
Artist - Simon Sheppard
I grew up at Maroubra Beach in Sydney’s eastern suburbs and have always lived close to the ocean. It's more than just a place to me — it’s where I feel free. The ocean is my canvas, and whether I’m on a surfboard or behind the lens, being inside a pitching wave is where I feel most at home.
Every time I’m in the water shooting, I rely on my Seafrogs water housing to keep my Sony mirrorless camera safe — whether I’m capturing the raw power of a wave breaking over a shallow reef or chasing the golden light of a sunset. I love mixing things up: shooting with a 200–600mm lens from the shoreline, flying a drone above the lineup, or diving right into the action.
Over the past five years, I’ve pushed my photography to new levels and have been lucky enough to be featured by:
Australian Surf Photographers (Instagram)
Foil Surf Magazine
Ted’s Cameras – 2x Landscape Finalist
Chasing Clarity Podcast & Online Magazine
One of my proudest moments came three years ago, when I shot for the first time at Cape Solander — a notorious surf break known for its heavy waves. I had to time a rock jump while 10–15ft waves were breaking just metres away. Once in position, I had front-row seats to one of the most incredible sessions I’ve ever witnessed. Surfers were being towed into monsters, and I was right there capturing every moment. That day will stay with me forever.
