Amplifying Voices: The Women Shaping Skate Media

The world of skateboarding, traditionally dominated by men, is undergoing a significant shift. It’s not just about who’s on the board anymore; it’s about who’s behind the camera, pen, and keyboard, shaping the narrative. This article highlights the influential women who are carving out their own space in skate media, proving that you don’t need a massive platform to make a powerful impact. These are the women whose work might have slipped under the radar, and it’s time to recognize their contributions and unique perspectives.

Table of Contents

Zorah Olivia: Capturing the Essence Through Photography

Zorah Olivia, a talented photographer, vividly captures the skateboarding world through her lens. She’s not just pointing and shooting; she’s actively engaging with the skate community, especially women.

Overcoming the “Annoying Girl” Mentality

Zorah openly discusses the feeling of being the “annoying girl” at the skatepark, a sentiment many women can relate to. She acknowledges the side-eye glances and the lack of seriousness from some men. However, she emphasizes the importance of self-validation over seeking external approval. This inner confidence is what pushes her to create.

Early Influences and Skate Photography Journey

Zorah’s journey into skate photography began at Camp Woodward, where she initially trained as a skater. At 16, she transitioned to photography, diving headfirst into the dynamic world of capturing pros in action. Her experience at camp taught her the nuances of skate photography, from understanding trick composition to the dynamic between skater and photographer.

Inspirations Beyond Skate Photography

While influenced by skate photographers, Zorah also draws inspiration from iconic photographers like Annie Leibovitz and Sally Mann. Their ability to capture the essence of their subjects deeply resonates with her. She admires Atiba Jefferson’s drive and passion, recognizing his diverse portfolio which extends beyond skate photography.

Advice for Aspiring Skate Photographers

Zorah advises young girls to embrace the learning process, understanding that initial photos won’t be perfect. She underscores the necessity of studying existing skate photography, practicing consistently, and interacting with the skate community. Stepping out of your comfort zone is essential, as most people are excited to be photographed.

Shari White: The Skate Witches and DIY Filmmaking

Shari White, a key figure behind The Skate Witches, is making waves in the skate film scene. Her work embodies the DIY ethos and a commitment to street skateboarding.

The Genesis of Filming

Shari’s journey into filming began when she wanted to document her skate sessions with her friend, Kristin Ebeling. Her friend, Shane Auckland, inspired her to get a VX camera so that they could film themselves, rather than relying on others. She quickly became immersed in the process.

The Skate Witches: A Unique Creative Force

The Skate Witches’ edits are gaining momentum, showcasing street skating through their unique lens. They have released videos from Havana and Malmö, and have also filmed in Australia. Their ambition is to create a full-length film, capturing their collected footage.

Focusing on Street Skating and Creativity

The Skate Witches are intentional in their focus on street skating and inspiring women to explore their creativity beyond skateparks. They aim to encourage a more diverse approach to skateboarding.

Authenticity and DIY Ethos

Shari is passionate about providing representation to skaters who may not be receiving mainstream recognition. Her approach is all about enjoying the process, creating for herself and her friends, and not necessarily chasing a career. She believes that if something meaningful comes of it, it will happen organically.

Words of Wisdom for Aspiring Filmmakers

Shari urges young filmmakers to start by doing what they enjoy, without overthinking the process. She emphasizes that the joy of creating and having fun with friends is what truly matters. Don’t wait for permission or a big opportunity – just create.

Kim Woozy: The Visionary Behind MAHFIA TV

Kim Woozy is a significant figure in the history of women’s skate media. Her platform, MAHFIA TV, has inspired many women.

Early Days in Skate Media

Kim’s journey in skate media started with an internship at Osiris Shoes, where she recognized the lack of representation for female skaters. She took the initiative to create videos of the female skaters they sponsored.

The Birth of Mahfia TV

After Osiris discontinued their girl’s line, Kim continued producing videos of women skaters. Mahfia TV was launched as a platform to curate and produce action-focused content by women.

Challenges and the Evolution of Mahfia

Kim faced many challenges, especially financial sustainability. Many brands weren’t willing to invest in content featuring women. The rise of user-generated content also affected Mahfia’s business model as brands developed in-house production teams.

The End of Mahfia and Lessons Learned

The struggle for content ownership reached a breaking point when major companies used Mahfia’s footage without permission. Kim decided to put Mahfia on hold, realizing that her business model was not working for her. She learned the importance of valuing her work and the difficulties of running a small business in this space.

Hannah Bailey: Neon Stash and Authentic Storytelling

Hannah Bailey, the founder of Neon Stash, uses her skills in communication and media to elevate women’s voices in skateboarding. She is focused on authentic representation.

Capturing Untold Stories

Hannah started shooting skate photos to address the lack of media coverage of women skaters. She was driven by a passion for sharing their stories, highlighting the diversity of women within the sport.

The Birth of Neon Stash

Hannah created Neon Stash as a platform to unite her communication skills with her passion for skate media. Her agency aims to create more opportunities to support women in skateboarding.

Challenges in Women’s Skateboarding

Hannah emphasizes the importance of women being involved in creating their own narratives. She cautions against fleeting trends and advises working with individuals who genuinely support the skateboarding community.

Advice for Aspiring Media Professionals

Hannah encourages women to pursue their passion for skate media, emphasizing that their unique perspectives are valuable. She stresses the importance of working with people you trust who have a genuine interest in supporting skateboarding.

Olga Aguilar: Documenting the Scene Through Photography

Olga Aguilar is a seasoned photographer who has been capturing the vibrant skate scene for years. She is known for documenting both young and established skaters.

Early Involvement in Skate Photography

Olga started shooting skate photos at events organized by Skate Like A Girl and at the Marginal Way DIY spot. She provided her work to Juice Magazine, which helped her gain recognition. She observed that women’s events were not being covered like the men’s events.

Developing Connections with Skaters

Olga built relationships with prominent women skaters through the events she covered and by being present in the scene. She focuses on documenting those who are willing to be photographed, rather than just the most famous skaters.

Advice for Aspiring Photographers

Olga encourages aspiring photographers to approach their work with confidence and have fun in the process. She emphasizes that insecurity can be a barrier, but it’s crucial to trust your work and not be pressured by others. She highlights that it’s never too late to start a career in photography.

Lisa Whitaker: From Filming to Building a Brand

Lisa Whitaker has been a pillar in women’s skateboarding for decades. From filming in the 80s to creating Meow Skateboards, she’s been a major influence.

Early Days of Filming

Lisa started filming her neighborhood friends in the late ’80s and later documented the Long Beach skate scene. Her early filming days led to her submitting footage to sponsors and 411 video magazine. She competed in all-girl contests, and eventually realized that she was better behind the camera than in front of it.

The Creation of Girls Skate Network

Lisa accidentally started the Girls Skate Network while experimenting with a website she created for a skate video. The website unexpectedly gained popularity and became a source of inspiration for girls around the world.

Meow Skateboards: Championing Women Skaters

Lisa started Meow Skateboards because she was frustrated that many of the top female skaters were not being included and marketed by major brands. Her goal was to create a brand where female skaters could be the focus, and the team now includes top skaters such as Lacey Baker, Mariah Duran, and Vanessa Torres.

Kristin Ebeling: The Skate Witches’ Writer and Visionary

Kristin Ebeling is the other half of The Skate Witches, where she works as a writer, pushing the boundaries of what skate media can be.

Inspired by the Seattle Skate Scene

Growing up in Seattle, Kristin experienced the challenges of being “the girl” in the skate scene. These experiences inspired her to join forces with Shari White to create The Skate Witches.

The Skate Witches: More Than a Crew

Kristin defines The Skate Witches as a creative project, an ethos, and a movement, rather than a traditional crew. Their focus is on creativity, the DIY approach, and not caring about external judgment. Their goal is to push boundaries and get away from the traditional rules of skate culture.

Common Pitfalls in Skate Media

Kristin observes that many publications are written from a white male perspective, catering to a limited audience. She advocates for diversity within skate media, where the experiences and perspectives of a more diverse group of writers, editors, and interviewers are considered. She also points out that readers want to read the same types of interviews they would see with men, and not just interviews about what it’s like to be a woman.

Advice for Aspiring Media Professionals

Kristin encourages individuals to speak their truth and share their experiences in the skate world. She emphasizes the importance of not being scared of people’s opinions and speaking up about issues.

Conclusion

These women are not just participating in skateboarding; they are actively shaping its culture and narrative. Through their unique perspectives, they are proving that representation matters and that the future of skate media is inclusive and dynamic. Their stories are an inspiration to all who seek to make their mark on the world, regardless of their background or perceived limitations. They are the ones to watch, and their impact will continue to grow. These are the voices that need to be heard.