A fixture of the surf photography world over the past years, Hayden Garfield is perhaps most celebrated for his evocative images capturing the raw, untamed energy of the ocean and the surfers who brave it. His work quickly became synonymous with surf culture. Life, however, threw Hayden a curveball when he was diagnosed with cancer, a challenge that would reshape both his outlook and his art.

We caught up with the artist to talk about the healing power of the ocean, and how surviving cancer reshaped his relationship with both surfing and storytelling.

For those that don’t know, can you tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you first get into surf photography? Are you self taught?

‍First and foremost, I’ve had a crazy year dealing with my cancer diagnosis, but I’m finally back—feeling great and 100% healthy. For anyone going through something difficult, whether big or small, past or present, I would be honored to connect with you. I know firsthand how much support from others helped me throughout my journey. Please feel free to reach out via Instagram (@haydengarfield_)—I’d love to hear your story.

‍Here we go… I was born, raised, and still live in Santa Barbara, California, where my love for surfing and photography first took root. Some of my earliest memories of combining the two go back to after-school surf sessions—skating from our local junior high to Sandspit (a world-class wave that only turns on once every five years). My friends and I would paddle out and enjoy whatever 2–3 ft waves were on offer.

My friend Gavin was actually the one who got me interested in cameras. He had a Canon 7D with a water housing, handed down to him by a local photographer who was mentoring him. Gavin took that camera everywhere—we’d shoot skating, surfing, and landscapes from all the little adventures we went on. Watching him edit those photos and bring them to life completely captivated me.One day at the beach, I asked if I could try shooting him surfing. He immediately said yes, excited to have some photos of himself. I played around with the camera on the sand, capturing stills, and later that night, we edited them together. The whole process was insanely fun. A few days later, another swell rolled in, and I asked Gavin if I could try using the water housing. At first, he was skeptical, but he eventually agreed. That moment was when I truly fell in love with photography.

Shooting from the water meant I didn’t have to stress about catching waves at a packed lineup—I could just focus on capturing everyone else’s best moments. I loved the idea of creating living images that I could carry with me, text to friends, and share with my parents (who supported my passion—until it came to making a college decision, of course). That was the beginning of my deep love for outdoor adventure photography.

Throughout the year, Gavin and I went on little surf trips to places like Rincon and Jalama—of course, our parents had to drive us since we were only 14! These local spots offered beautiful landscapes and perfect waves when the conditions lined up. During this time, I kept teaching myself photography and eventually saved up enough money to buy a camera of my own. Gavin was kind enough to sell me his old setup when he upgraded, and from that point on, I was completely self-taught and driven.

Then something even bigger happened. Two years later, I got accepted into a small program at Santa Barbara High School called the MAD Academy—short for Multi-Media Arts and Design. During those four years, I soaked up everything I could about Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Premiere Pro, filmmaking, and camera logistics. Honestly, I don’t think I would’ve made it through high school without that program. At one point, I even dropped out and homeschooled for a few months, but I missed socializing and learning from MAD, so I went back. It wasn’t that I thought I was too good for school—I just couldn’t sit still in a classroom for more than 20 minutes. MAD was different. The classes were interactive, hands-on, and often involved partnering with peers for real-world photography assignments.

While finishing high school, I kept shooting on my own and building my portfolio. I reached out to people my age on social media, asking if they wanted to shoot together. That led to a snowball effect—more connections, more opportunities, and eventually, travel within the surf world.

And that’s how it all started.

You just launched a surf coffee table book. What special about this one?

‍I’ve always been interested in creating things that can live in people’s homes—whether it’s fine art prints for a wall or, in this case, my first-ever coffee table book. I had never made a book before, but I was confident I could figure it out and get some copies out there.

After a few full days of teaching myself new software and sifting through thousands of photos on my hard drive, I finally had a finished book. After a long year of not doing much due to my diagnosis, it felt amazing to bring my images to life in a tangible way—something that could actually land on my friends’ coffee tables. I’m incredibly proud of how it turned out, and I’m already excited to create the next one!

‍Your photography style, particularly the blurred ocean images, is evocative and atmospheric. Where does this abstract/surreal inspiration stem from? What do you want to tell through these photos?

‍Thank you! I really love capturing that style of photography. There’s a certain mystique and beauty to it that I deeply admire. I originally saw a few other photographers experimenting with it—especially my mentor, Morgan Maassen, who does it flawlessly. Inspired by that, I’ve been working to create my own variation, aiming to develop something unique while staying true to the original essence of the image. What really draws me in is the beauty of looking out toward the horizon. There’s something about staring at the ocean’s edge that makes me dream of endless possibilities—distant shores, perfect sand points, and the unknown adventures waiting beyond.

But more than anything, I love leaving it up to the viewer to interpret in their own way. That, to me, is what art is all about—bringing your vision to life while allowing others to layer it with their own stories and perspectives.
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Do you remember the first thought you had when you were told your diagnosis?

‍Before I could even process what was happening, my body went cold, and my stomach churned as if I was about to vomit. When I heard my doctor break the news over the phone, I was devastated. How could I have cancer at 20 years old? And not just any cancer—a super rare one, with only about 160 known cases and no real research on how to treat it?I wanted to curl up, give up, and accept my fate. But something deep inside me had other plans. A fire ignited within me—a light so bright that negativity and fear couldn’t take over. And that strength didn’t come from nowhere. It wasn’t some outside force. It was just me. Me telling myself: I’ve got this. I will get through this. I will come out even stronger.I held onto that mindset the entire time. I refused to let the bad thoughts consume me.

‍What if they can’t fix me? What if the cancer spreads? Every time those fears crept in, I shut them down and changed the narrative. Instead of asking, Why did this happen to me? I started telling myself, This happened for me. I chose to believe there was something to learn from this experience, that it was shaping me into a stronger version of myself.

Of course, there were moments of anger, sadness, and confusion—I’m human. But I learned to let those feelings in while still maintaining a healthy mindset.So yeah, I remember that first feeling—it wasn’t great. But I flipped the script, and I came out stronger than I ever thought possible.

What role does the ocean play in your creative and personal healing process?

‍My life has always revolved around the ocean—it’s a part of me, my lifestyle, and my happiness. Being in and around it truly brings me joy. During my recovery, I crutched to the ocean every day. I was lucky enough to live near a lookout point, giving me a perfect view of the water. For those who don’t know, I had four inches of my left tibia removed to eliminate the cancer. It was replaced with a cadaver bone, and I was instructed to wait three months to see progress while undergoing post-op cancer scans. That meant a long time on crutches. Every morning, afternoon, and evening, I sat and looked at the ocean. I dreamt of being in it—surfing, swimming, paddling. I longed to feel the salt water on my skin again. But for the time being, all I could do was admire it from afar, staring at the horizon and imagining the endless possibilities beyond it.

My hometown is also perfectly positioned near Channel Islands National Park—a stunning chain of uninhabited islands, each with its own unique ecosystem, microclimate, and biodiversity. I would daydream about hiking those islands, exploring their landscapes, and maybe even crossing paths with the native island fox.

Even now, the ocean continues to play a massive role in my life—both creatively and personally. It always has, and it always will.

Can you share the story behind one of your favourite surf photographs or projects?

‍One of my favorite surf images is one I took in 2023 of my friend Haley Otto. She’s a longboarder from Oahu with the most elegant style. That winter, we had been shooting together a lot. On days when the North Shore was flat, my friends and I would post up at Ehukai Beach Park, where the beach just to the right of Pipeline often had fun 2–3 ft waves. Those beach park days were some of my favorite memories—swimming, shooting, and just being in the water with friends.One particular evening, the conditions lined up perfectly—glassy waves and a stunning sunset. As Haley glided past me, I looked through my camera and instantly knew this was the shot. Most photos turn out good, but every once in a while, everything aligns just right, and you just feel it—you know you’ve captured something truly special.

What advice would you give to others facing challenges, whether in their personal lives or careers?

‍For anyone going through something personal or struggling in their career, I’d give the same advice: Find your support system. Lean on family, friends, and your community. And most importantly—don’t be afraid to ask for help. No matter the situation, people are more willing to help than you might think.For a long time, I hesitated to ask for the help I needed, both personally and professionally. When I was diagnosed with cancer, my mom encouraged me to share my story and start a GoFundMe because she knew it was going to be a long, difficult year. She understood this firsthand—she’s a two-time cancer survivor, one of which was ovarian cancer that nearly took her life.

While I was under for my major surgery, my mom took it upon herself to tell my story and create the GoFundMe. She taught me an invaluable lesson: sometimes, you have to let go of your pride and accept help.

‍When I woke up from surgery, her post had spread like wildfire across the industry. A friend who followed my mom reshared it, and then their followers reshared it, and on and on it went. Suddenly, my inbox was flooded with thousands of encouraging messages. I spent the next four days in the hospital, bedridden and barely able to move. The hospital didn’t allow my family or girlfriend to stay overnight, so whenever I felt lonely, I read those messages. My heart exploded with gratitude. The kindness I received during that time was overwhelming, and it taught me that asking for help when I needed it the most wasn’t a sign of weakness—it was a lesson in strength.

‍The same lesson applied to my career. When I graduated high school, all my friends were heading off to college, and I had no plan. I didn’t know where to go, what to do, or how to make it work. I was stepping into the unknown—until, ironically, I asked for help. That single step became the launchpad that propelled me into the industry.So if you need help, ask for it. If you’re navigating your career, reach out to professionals you admire—ask real, genuine questions. Be open to constructive criticism from those ahead of you. More often than not, they’re just trying to help you improve. Learn what you can, and run with it.As my mom still says to this day: “Go big or go home.” And now, I live by that saying too.

‍What’s on for 2025? Do you have any upcoming projects or goals you’re excited about?

‍I have a mix of personal and professional goals that I’m incredibly excited about. One of the biggest is finding the perfect balance between work and pleasure—blending the two so seamlessly that work doesn’t feel like work. I want my life to be a combination of creativity, business, and adventure, where every day is filled with writing, photography, filmmaking, and helping others. My ultimate goal is to build consistency in a life where going to the beach, creating, and exploring is my career—work that energizes me rather than drains me.

I’ve vowed never to work an office job. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with them—offices are necessary, and many people thrive in that environment. But for me? I simply can’t sit still inside for more than 20 minutes. I need to be outside, using my creativity to educate, inspire, and connect with others.

Another huge goal of mine is to inspire people to get off the couch, put down their phones, and step outside. Go for a walk, explore, swim, run—just do something. I know firsthand how life-changing it can be to step away from a screen and into the real world. And if I can encourage even one person to do that, I’ll consider it a success.