BEHIND THE LENS WITH MILES TAYLORBEHIND THE LENS WITH MILES TAYLOR: CAPTURING THE SPIRIT OF CLUB VASSIf youve ever sailed across Vassiliki Bay and spotted a boat flying a large flag with a long lens pointed in your direction, chances are youve already met Miles Taylor. As the in-house photographer at Club Vass and the creative force behind PROtography, Miles has spent the last decade documenting the unforgettable moments that make a windsurfing holiday in Vasiliki so memorable. From shooting beginners to advanced riders blasting across the bay and of course the Club Vass instructors in action, Miles is there to capture all the magic moments. This is a look behind the lens at what a typical week looks like for the man responsible for all the epic images we see from Club Vass.BACKGROUNDMILES: Ive been part of Club Vass for 10 years and if youve ever sailed past a boat in Vassiliki flying a large flag and spotted a long lens pointed your way, thats probably me.My role at Club Vass isnt just about taking photos. Its about capturing an experience. From first-time beginners wobbling through their first tacks to seasoned sailors blasting across the bay in full cross-shore conditions, my job is to capture the moments that make a windsurfing holiday unforgettable.I started A-level photography in 2006 when I was 16. I did two years, then an art foundation course at Plymouth College of Art and Design. That led me to Kingston University to study a BA (Hons) Photography within the Fine Art faculty. The course taught darkroom work, how to build a book and exhibition, how to use a studio, and how to communicate with photography. The course was strong academically, but it did not teach much about entering the industry or freelancing.I learned that by doing lots of jobs and projects. While studying I freelanced constantly. I shot nightlife and events, corporate events, assisted photographers, worked in an indie t-shirt printing factory, and photographed damaged cars for insurance companies amongst a variety of other random photography jobs. After university I continued freelancing and then found a sports holiday resort photography job that included accommodation and travel. I worked two summer seasons there.Through that work I met the photographers at Club Vass; Global Shots. We got to know each other overabeer, then Jay messaged me later to say as they were leaving Club Vass, they thought I would be a good fit and put me in touch with the manager. I met Ollie Scott, who encouraged me to build my own brand name rather than be defined as the Club Vass photographer. The rest is History.INTRODUCTIONThe week begins on Monday morning with the beach briefing. All new guests gather to meet the beach manager and are divided into groups based on ability. Thats my cue to introduce myself and explain how the photography works. I let everyone know that if you see the flag on the boat and sail towards it, youre guaranteed a photo.Mornings are often lighter wind, with beginner groups and kids on the inside. Its a great time to capture progression, instruction, and the atmosphere around the beach. By late morning Ill usually step away to begin editing the first batch of images so theyre ready for viewing later in the day.Then, when the cross-shore wind arrives in the afternoon, things shift up a gear. Thats when Im out on the boat.ON THE WATERI drive the boat myself, and honestly, its one of the best parts of the job. Being able to position myself anywhere in the bay sets the photography apart. Shooting from the water allows for dynamic angles and sequences that simply arent possible from shore.I dont organize shoots out there. That is reserved for the advanced windsurfers who can deliver great action shots at short notice and with pinpoint accuracy. Instead, I make myself visible and accessible. Sail past the flag and Ill track you. It keeps things natural and fluid, which suits the unpredictable nature of Vasiliki Bay.When families try to coordinate a group fly-by, its usually easier said than done. Mixed abilities, changing wind strength, and timing all make precision difficult. For those who want something more structured, I offer one-to-one sessions. These are far more manageable and can involve shooting from the boat or even swimming in the water for a completely different perspective.The wind dictates everything. You cant schedule conditions three days in advance, so the approach is always to take the opportunity while its there.THE SERVICEI am a separate entity, but I work alongside Club Vass and offer my services to holiday clients. Clients purchase directly from me to keep as epic memories of their time on the water. I also offer photography coaching and mentoring, including workshops for guests who want to improve their skills. I do GoPro rentals so people can capture their own footage, and I run a small merchandise side business as well.WORKFLOWIt comes down to workflow quality. It took me years to refine the process, but now I can edit a morning batch in around 45 minutes to one hour. On really busy afternoons editing 800+ shots it can take up to an hour and a half. Having a fast workflow matters so I can still enjoy a beer at the beach bar after work.MORE THAN JUST SHOOTINGBeyond cameras, practical gear makes the difference. Dry bags, shoulder slings, and systems that allow quick access while manoeuvring on the boat are essential. Reliability and mobility matter just as much as image quality.Photography at Club Vass isnt only about daily guest coverage. Throughout the season I work on marketing briefs and social media campaigns, which require planning and coordination with instructors and staff. Some shots can be captured naturally during the week. Others require precise timing, specific ability levels, and ideal wind conditions.Working closely with the instructors is essential. Theres a mutual understanding. They help facilitate great opportunities on the water, and in return we provide imagery they can use themselves. Its a collaborative relationship, and it strengthens the whole operation.WORKING WITH CLIENTSI believe people buy into the photographer as much as the photograph. Being present around the resort, answering questions, explaining the viewing process, and simply chatting with guests builds familiarity. At the end of the day, being approachable both on land and out on the water helps contribute to getting the best photos.Throughout the week, photographs are uploaded daily to a viewing station in the restaurant. On Saturday, before guests leave, I run a dedicated sales day. During the week Im often at the laptop helping and guiding people as they collect and review their images, helping them select and purchase their favourites. Its important that the process feels smooth and accessible, especially after a long day on the water.The images arent just something people buy. Theyre a record of the week, memories that showcase the amazing experience and the incredible location. They end up framed on walls, shared online, and tucked into albums long after the holiday is over.HIGHS, LOWS AND CHALLENGESThe biggest low? No wind. When the wind drops, the whole energy of the bay shifts, and extreme heat can also test motivation and focus. But the highs far outweigh the lows, and there are plenty of them.One of the biggest perks is being able to windsurf on some of the best kit in the world, in consistently great conditions. Windsurfing wasnt on my radar before 2016, but arriving at Club Vass changed that completely. Being surrounded by great riders, top-level equipment, and reliable wind made it impossible not to get involved, and I quickly fell in love with the speed and rhythm of it all.Ironically, when conditions are perfect, I often feel the pull to pick up the camera instead. After a week or two of shooting, Ill jump on a board for my own fix. Im comfortable on the water, and more recently Ive been learning to wing, which feels closer to snowboarding, another long-time passion. Windsurfing has taken me on an unexpected journey and continues to shape both my work and my life.Watching the bay transform from calm morning to blasting afternoon never gets old. The sense of community at Club Vass is genuine. Staff and returning guests create an atmosphere that feels more like family than workplace. Every week is different, every group is different, and every set of conditions presents a new challenge. That is exactly what keeps the job exciting.THE ALLUREThe lifestyle, the weather, and the Greek pace of living in a high energy watersports location. The growth I saw from my early seasons. Photography became a kind of glue between the social side and the watersports side of life in Vassiliki. It gave me space to try new ideas and grow with support. My life has long been split between six months in Greece and the other half freelancing elsewhere, so Vasiliki became a hub and second home. I have invested a lot of time and energy into it.TEAMWORKIt is extraordinary. When I arrived there were staff members who had been there already for 5+ years and they welcomed me in and made me feel like one of them. Over the years the team changes, but the sense of community stays strong. Everyone has different roles, and there are key people I collaborate with closely to keep things running smoothly and to make sure we capture the right photos at the right time. I am grateful to feel part of the fabric of Club Vass and to have a working relationship that keeps things positive for staff and guests.I tend to stay away from filming the Oscars and leave that to other creatives on site. I am happy to help coordinate certain shoots and assist as a camera operator, but Eion the bike guide with a background in video editing does an outstanding job. I prefer to sit back and watch without taking on that extra stress on top of running my business.For Friday nights, I used to be at every party when I first started and I have seen every hangover. These days I usually duck out after shooting the pre drinks on the lawn when everyone is in fancy dress. Getting a good nights sleep on Friday is more important now so I am fresh on Saturday morning for sales and admin. It is always a laugh seeing everyone the next day and hearing the stories.MOTIVATION AND GROWTHClub Vass has been the backdrop to this daily rhythm, the place where wind, water, and photography have shaped both my work and my career. Its the environment where all the moving parts come together, and where the last decade of growth has really taken place.Through Club Vass, I have developed my technical skills, confidence, and speed while working consistently in demanding real-world conditions. It connected me with a wide network of people across the windsurfing industry and gave me exposure that led directly to other professional opportunities.What makes it special is being at the front line of windsurfing with the public. It is not just about photographing professional riders. It is about capturing everyday people discovering the sport and integrating it into their lifestyle in a way that genuinely enriches their lives.I would not be where I am today without the riders, the guests, and the staff who have been part of that journey. Special thanks go to Ollie Scott, the General Manager, who believed in me from the start and continually encouraged me to push myself further.PASSIONI love the process and the moment the shutter clicks. Being present while everything is happening and trying to capture the right moment is what keeps me hooked. I am less good at organising portfolios, websites, and social media. I have refined editing for customers, but personal work can sit on hard drives for months or years. That is okay, because I love the act of taking the photo itself.EQUIPMENTThe environment in Vasiliki is harsh on equipment. I shoot with a Nikon Z6 mirrorless body that has been properly weather-beaten over the seasons. Saltwater air corrodes everything, so maintenance is constant.My workhorse lens is a Sigma 70200mm f/2.8, fast, reliable, and ideal for high-volume action shooting. For water work, I use an Aquatech housing paired with a 2470mm lens. I also occasionally fly a drone from the boat in strong conditions to capture next level action shots, tracking the rider from almost any angle.GEAR LIST:Nikon Z6Nikon Z6IINIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 SSigma 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 DG HSMSigma 70-200mm f/2.8 APO EX DGNikkor 50mm f/1.4G AF-SNikon 200-500mm f/5.6E VR FXSigma 35mm f/1.4 ArtAquatech EDGE Pro water housinghttp://protographyofficial.com/The post BEHIND THE LENS WITH MILES TAYLOR appeared first on Windsurf Magazine Online.