From Tahiti to France and Ireland to Japan, Monyca Eleogram has had a busy travel schedule for campaign shoots and #ROXYpro events over the last 12 months. With a large part of her year spent in transit to exotic locales and sought after surf breaks, Mons decided to document her adventures by packing a cheap disposable camera to take along for the journey.
Take a look at a few of Monyca’s magical moments captured on film below -
JAPAN
My trip to Japan last year is where it all started, for my disposable fujifilm camera that is :) Kelia, Holly, and I were looking for snacks and face masks in a tiny convenience store when we kept finding super fun and unusual trinkets.
I saw the camera and thought it would be really fun to have real photos of this amazing place! Believe it or not these are the only two pics I took in Japan, but I really love this pic of me standing in front of an incredible temple in Kyoto wearing a Hawaiian haku (head lei) given to me the night before at a ROXY store visit in Osaka.
TAHITI
This was a super memorable trip for me. We were there for a photo shoot/surf trip for two weeks! Enough time to really get a good feeling for the culture and we got to see quite a few places, and waves. My fear levels were tested by big swells and watching Sis (Kelia Moniz) catch that monster wave at Teahupoo. My favorite memories were made surfing with best friends, eating traditional poisson cru (a ceviche style tahitian salad), watching the locals bring in their fresh catch, and exploring the coast by boat.
IRELAND
This picture isn’t anything too special but Ireland definitely is. This was my second trip there and it was only for two days! What an incredibly beautiful country full of amazing people. I don't think the sun set until 11pm and we managed to shoot all day long. From the cliffs of Moher to the cattle filled streets we saw it all that day without wasting a moment. I have a picture in my phone somewhere of me in front of the ruins of a stunning old castle. So rad. I love Ireland.
SWITZERLAND
I was so excited when I got the email that we were headed to Saas Fee, Switzerland, for a shoot. I had always wanted to see it in the peak of Winter because of photos I had seen. On this trip I got the best of both worlds, perfect green and lush flowery landscapes near our hotel, then just a short walk to the gondola and we were on the glaciers watching professional ski and snowboard teams training. The views were unlike anything I had ever seen.
FRANCE
Always such a treat to visit. All the girls get together, some competing in the #ROXYpro France, and others creating content stories for social media. We all stay together in a big house in Hossegor. Last year the snow team were in town and we had a massive beach picnic while cheering the ROXY team riders on. There are so many friends there that I grew up competing against. Trips like this allow us to stay close and create new memories together.
MALDIVES
Straight after the #ROXYpro a few of us left for a shoot in the Maldives. I have never seen whiter sand or more turquoise water! We stayed on board the Ocean Divine boat so we were in the water constantly. Snorkeling, swimming with huge rays and Kelia and Steph even got to swim with a whale shark. So amazing. Dance parties on the top deck were pretty epic too.
HAWAII
I finished off my camera roll in Hawaii last winter hanging out and shooting some surfing around Waikiki. Most of the surf world is in Hawaii for the winter contests, not to mention capturing amazing content the world’s best. Steph, Whitney, Kelia, and I had a great time this day paddling around a supsquatch in matching hats and enjoying a cocktail or two in the sunset. Waikiki is always magic.
If you could tell a story of what 12 months looked like in only 24 shots, (and just remember this is film, not digital, so no do-overs or filters) what would those pictures look like?