The Story Behind "Sovereign"

Maui, Hawai'i

The ocean roared across Maui’s north shore as our small crew of captains and close friends sailed out of Kahului Harbor into the dark. Local surf forecasts were predicting historic fifty-foot waves, making our journey out to Peʻahi a wild, eerie passage under a canopy of stars.
 
For years, I envisioned photographing the powerful, fleeting beauty of Peʻahi in the luminous glow of the rising sun. On the winter solstice of 2024, that vision finally aligned with a small team of professionals and a monumental Pacific swell.

Photographer Aaron Lynton & I capturing the waves of Jaws at first light!

Our GPS navigation guided us across the vast black seas for nearly an hour before reaching our coordinates. We idled the engine and listened. The thunderous impact of rogue waves echoed off the distant sea cliffs, vibrating through the hull.

At the first light of dawn, I unpacked my camera and climbed onto the roof of the boat. Moments later, the sky erupted in a brilliant display of color, resembling a cosmic rose blooming over the Pacific.

KISS THE SKY

from $1,200.00

MAUI, HAWAII

A lone wave rises to meet a cosmic rose rippling through the sky—a scene I dreamed of witnessing for years, becoming a reality on the winter solstice of 2024.

Limited Edition of 200

Select a Print Size:

Select Select a Print Size 15 x 24" 22 x 36" 30 x 48" 37 x 60" 45 x 72"

Select Finish:

Select Select Finish Glossy Non-Glare (Artist's Preference)

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When the sun finally kissed the horizon, the pristine waters of Peʻahi shimmered in the golden light. Bracing myself against the turbulent, rolling sets, I shouted to the captain to adjust our boat’s position as I aimed my camera. Peeking through the lens, I saw the massive, glassy barrels of Jaws come into focus. 

In that fleeting moment of preparation and luck, I captured “Sovereign” — one of my favorite images in my career.

A majestic force, towering proud…
A symbol of the power and ancient wisdom of Hawaiʻi, defying containment or subjugation.

SOVEREIGN

from $1,200.00

MAUI, HAWAIʻI

A majestic force, towering proud…

A visual reminder of the power and wisdom of mother nature,

defying containment or subjugation.

Limited Edition of 200

Select Print Finish:

Select Select Print Finish Glossy Non-Glare (Artist's Preference)

Select Print Size:

Select Select Print Size 17 x 24" 26 x 36" 32 x 45" 43 x 60" 52 x 72" 60 x 84"

Add to cart

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