Today’s guest is Marcus Paladino, a professional photographer specializing in cold water surf photography on the rugged west coast of Canada. Based in Tofino, Marcus has built a career capturing high-performance surfing and the wild beauty of the Pacific Northwest.
What began with a diploma in photography in 2010 and a “one summer” trip to Tofino has turned into a lifelong pursuit of documenting the people, waves, and culture at the edge of the world.
Known for his artistic approach and his willingness to chase storms, endure freezing conditions, and even risk equipment in the surf, Marcus transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary. His work has been featured in leading publications such as Surfer, The Surfer’s Journal, Stab Mag, Tracks, Canadian Geographic, Adventure Journal, and Surfline.
Marcus has also collaborated with an impressive roster of global brands, including Hurley, Red Bull, Monster Energy, Rip Curl, Yeti, O’Neill, Vans, Netflix, Arc’teryx, Billabong, RVCA, and Tourism Tofino, to name a few. His images reflect both the grit and the beauty of surfing in cold water, where dedication, resilience, and creativity collide.
In this episode, Marcus and I dive into:
His journey from Vancouver Island to becoming one of Canada’s top water photographers
The challenges and rewards of shooting cold water surf in Tofino
Stories from chasing storms, drowning cameras, and scoring perfect waves
How artistry and athleticism meet in surf photography
Why Canada’s surf scene is pushing boundaries north of the 49th parallel
If you’re passionate about surfing, photography, and storytelling, this conversation with Marcus Paladino will inspire you to see both the ocean and creativity in a whole new light.
Visit Marcus:
Instagram: @marcuspaladino
Portfolio: www.marcuspaladino.com
Prints: www.marcuspaladinoprints.com
Book: Cold Comfort
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Music: IOMH Built For This (Feat. Melody Val)
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