Summer in Mexico Through the Lens of Morgan Maassen
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"While I can now say I’ve spent a small chunk of my life in Mexico, I have barely scratched the surface of understanding it. As its vastness has shaped and grown me, it has also influenced my photographic eye. Mexico’s plethora of scenery has provided me endless compositions and textures to explore through my lens, as well as continues to challenge me and my perspective on natural beauty."
-Morgan Maassen
Growing up in California, Mexico is the proverbial backyard where the ocean is warmer, the waves better, and everything is just more fun. Some of my earliest memories were driving south across the border, our family relishing the quick shift in temperature and lifestyle with Los Angeles in the rear-view mirror…. And throughout the last decade as a surf photographer, its long coastline has shown itself to be a tried & true photo studio for some of the best waves and performances I’ve ever seen.
As I’ve grown older, my perspective on Mexico has changed more dramatically than on any other country I’ve had the honor of traveling to. In my childhood, far-off lands like Australia, Finland or China were exotic and mysterious to me, with their peculiar plants and wildlife and cultures. Mexico has steadily morphed from being a vacation destination to now one of the countries that I am constantly dreaming of new excursions into. Every visit peels back a new layer of this absolutely massive country, brimming with exciting things to capture. The ancient history of the Mayans and their sprawling ruins, the lush jungle of Oaxaca, the epicurean scene of Mexico city, the rugged coastline of Guerrero, and all the vibrant fauna and flora spread out in-between. With every visit, I cross one aspiration off my list, yet I find myself adding three more: I’m currently researching the snow of the Creel, and itching for winter to roll around.
Days and weeks have added up to months, and while I can now say I’ve spent a small chunk of my life in Mexico, I have barely scratched the surface of understanding it. As its vastness has shaped and grown me, it has also influenced my photographic eye. Mexico’s plethora of scenery has provided me endless compositions and textures to explore through my lens, as well as challenge me and my perspective on natural beauty. So, while the catalyst for a day in Mexico often consists of adventures around surfing, hiking and tacos, I find myself zooming out to relish just how inspiring this country is to me.
Mexico is an enormous country, with so much wilderness to explore. Often times my adventures start with a camera in hand along the coastline of Guerrero, whose craggily cliffs and secluded beaches make for incredible shooting.
Deeper into Oaxaca, the mountains and jungle spill out into the sea, where undeveloped beaches run for as far as the eye can see. The waves here are world-class, the sea crystalline and brimming with wildlife.
In the Yucatan, the sky is filled with Magnificent Frigatebirds, who glide in the wind as thunderheads form over the hot Caribbean sea.
I love capturing culture and architecture, which is why I am so partial to Mexico – everything is more vibrant. I always take my time exploring the smaller towns, as they are such unique portals into older, simpler times.
I can’t get enough of the Caribbean side of Mexico. Early mornings spent hiking in the jungle, racing to the beach to cool off and snorkel in the mangroves and reefs.
The ancient Mayan & Atztec culture that runs throughout Mexico is breathtaking. I’ll always try to capture the ruins with my camera, but the power of standing at the foot of a stone pyramid is something imagery can never do justice to.
My favorite part about Mexico – and arguably the most necessary – are the cold freshwater cenotes that dot the Yucatan peninsula. When temperatures reach 114f by noon, there is no place you’d rather be than jumping into one, all of which have their own unique shapes, depth, and backstories.
As a photographer, the beauty of Mexico’s landscapes has profoundly shaped me over the years.
The west coast of Mexico has the most reliable sunset in the world, and always marking the end of an amazing day at the beach.