Trucks and Fins is a huge present to the whole skate community - not just for the skating people, but also for shops, builders and schools. Super easy to use and can't believe how complete it is.
Pascal Lieleg aka Official Bowlshit
From Fashion to Skate: Fernando Paz’s Unexpected Journey in Portugal
A professional photographer’s love for skateboarding, the Portuguese scene, and his vision for a global skate photographers’ association.
“I would like to create a skate photographers’ association”
Life is full of surprises, especially for people like Fernando Paz, aka Adarle, a professional photographer who works mostly in the fashion industry but has been passionate about skateboarding since he was 15 years old. Portugal came into the picture when he was searching for a place to live in Europe, tired of the “American mentality.” Without realizing it, the house he rented was very close to one of the major skateparks in the country - pure destiny, and a starting point for a new activity. A love, not a job.
Skater Mika Germond
Skater Dabadie Théo
How long have you been in Portugal, and what brought you here?
I was born in Mexico and lived in New York for 16 years, but I got tired of the ‘American mentality.’ Living in Europe was something I’d wanted for a long time, not just for myself but also for my son. Portugal was one of our choices, along with Spain, Italy, France, and Denmark. But when we arrived here for the first time, it was like love at first sight. I found friendly people and, most importantly, a large community of skaters, which helped me develop my skate photography portfolio. I’m almost 50, and I can’t skate all the time, but I love how I’ve been integrated into the community. That’s why I take far more pictures of skaters now than I did when I was living in New York. My main income still comes from working as a fashion photographer and art director for some American companies.
Skater João Allen
Skater Alex Furtado
What do you like most about the Portuguese skate scene?
Well, first, I should say I was lucky because I found a place to live in Estoril without knowing there was a skatepark or any skate facilities nearby. Fortunately, I’m close to Parque das Gerações Skatepark. When I went there for the first time, I met a lot of great people who introduced me to others. “This is the capital of skateboarding,” I thought. Publishing my work in magazines like Surge and others in Europe happened naturally. Creating a skate photographers’ association is something I’d like to do in the near future - something worldwide, but maybe starting in Portugal. Making a living solely from skate photography? Far from it. But if it ever turned into a real job, I’m afraid it would lose its magic.
Skater Dabadie Théo
Skater Mika Germond
Skater Alex Furtado
What do you think about the PUSH festival?
This may sound bizarre, but being recognized as the best photographer or as the person who took the best photo isn’t something I’m comfortable with because it all depends on so many circumstances. For example, a photo session feels different if a videographer is there too because the skater will behave differently. This isn’t a one-man job. But I admit, of course, that this festival is a great opportunity to showcase the work of many people and to celebrate those who are often anonymous but very important to this industry. I believe it will inspire others to become skate photographers and videographers.
Skater Gabriel Ribeiro
Skater Yurii Korotun
Check out Fernando Paz on Instagram
