You have two pretty different loadouts, could you take us through the main differences?
"Actually I have many different loadouts. I shoot completely different sports and always try to be closer to the object of the shoot. These two are just my favorite sets and also they are opposite to each other. One for the sky, one for water. In one set there is everything I take to the surf trip. In the paragliding loadout there is not much photo equipment as flying equipment take a lot of space. So I only bring the most important stuff.
Of course I don't take all of this equipment with me to the sky or water. Some pieces I leave on the ground for shooting beautiful portraits and lifestyle."
You have two different setups for paragliding and surfing, including a wing and a surfboard. I assume you get in a little recreational time while on assignment?
"Recently I haven't surfed that much, so the board here is more of an inspiration and it's also a nice piece for decorations. And the wing is not only my toy for recreation time, but also my transport to the object of the shooting. I'm a flying photographer."
How different is shooting paragliding from surfing? What are some of the challenges?
"Surfing and paragliding are two completely different sports. When shooting surfing, it's most important to be in good shape, to be able to swim and to dive holding your breath. In paragliding, you need strong nerves and good technical skills. Taking pictures and controling the wing at the same time is very dangerous. You need to be a very good pilot. Of course for both surfing and paragliding, knowing and understand the sport is essential.
Both sports are unbelievably beautiful. But apart from getting an opportunity to see all colors of the world, I also get a decent dose of adrenaline."
Is there a special story behind the sea shell?
"The nautilus shell is just perfect in all senses. I love to look at it. I brought it from one of my surf trips."
What’s your favorite piece of gear?
"My favorite pieces of gear are my Sony cameras. Whatever I do, they are always with me. Largely due to my cameras I do what I do."
Those are some stunning images! Will you be submitting to Red Bull Illume this year?
"I've actually already submitted. I really hope to see some of the shots make the short list."
Get ready for the loadout list, because this guy carries a LOT of gear.
Surfing Kit:
- Tripod
- Surfing shorts
- Sell
- Backpack Deuter Spectro AC 32 with camera unit
- Single fin
- MacBook Pro
- GPS watch Garmin Fenix 3
- Box for memory cards
- Dry box Pelican
- Sunglass
- Multitool knife
- Fins
- Free dive mask
- Power bank
- Umbrella
- Light pod
- Liquid Eye water housing
- Big dome for water housing
- Mirror lens 1000mm
- Mirror lens 500mm
- Sony FE 70-200 4.0
- Sony A 135mm 1.8 Carl Zeiss
- Sony A 85mm 1.4 Carl Zeiss
- Sony FE 24-70mm 4.0 Carl Zeiss
- Sony FE 55mm 1.8 Carl Zeiss
- Sony FE 28mm 2.0
- Sony E 16mm 2.8
- Sony 21mm adapter for FE 28mm 2.0
- Sony Fisheye adapter for FE 28mm 2.0
- Sony A6000
- Sony A7R
- Sony Action Cam AS200V
- LensPen set
- Radio
- Flash light and radio trigger
- Big drone
Paragliding Kit:
- Helmet
- Double glows
- Emergency set: medicine chest, metallic blanket, 6mm rope, carbiner, descender
- Paragliding Harness
- Paraglider Swing Nexus
- Bottle for water
- Speedarm jacket
- Camera mount Peak Design
- Sunglass
- GPS watch Garmin Fenix 3
- Satellite tracker Spot
- Multitool knife
- Sony E 16mm 2.8
- Sony FE 55mm 1.8 Carl Zeiss
- Sony FE 24-70mm 4.0 Carl Zeiss
- Sony A 135mm 1.8 Carl Zeiss
- Sony FE 70-200 4.0
- Sony A6000
- Sony A7R
- Sony Action Cam AS200V
- Power bank
- Box for memory cards
- LensPen set
- Radio
- Paragliding license
- Dashboard with flight computers
- Sleeping bag Deuter Trek Lite -2
- Mountain Shoes Salewa Rapace Gore-tex
- Short trekking poles
- Solar panel
To see more of Serge Shakuto's work, check out his website and Instagram.
Less than 6 weeks to go till the submissions for the world's greatest action and adventure sports photography contest close, so get your submissions in NOW! Download the Ultimate Guide to Red Bull Illume here and mark March 31, 2016 on your calendars! That's when submissions close.
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