‘It just wasn’t the right place for me, felt like a dead end.’
Jeff Sudmeier
February 2025
Where are you from?
Originally, I’m from the SF Bay Area. Grew up in San Carlos, Redwood City, and Foster City. I moved to Atlanta in 2016 to go to college, and now I’m living in Paris, France – moved here in 2022.
What brought you to France?
Two main reasons – 1st, I was sick of the states. It felt like I had crossed off the box for living there, and I felt that there was more calling to me out in the world. I know I only lived in two parts of the US and there’s a lot more to explore in the country, but I was overwhelmed with shit like the entertainment industry, fake personalities, and the food industry (difficult to eat healthy while on a budget). I was also very unhappy living in Atlanta. It just wasn’t the right place for me, felt like a dead end. The 2nd main reason was to come live with my girl (who’s French) and take our relationship further.
How welcoming was the local skate community when you first moved to Paris?
I’d say 80% welcoming and kind, 20% not so much. Almost everyone I’ve met so far has been super friendly, and a lot of Parisian skaters speak English too, so that helped. But then there are some people who are just more closed-off or quiet towards me, and that’s cool, not everyone has to be my friend. For example, I shoot photos at République all the time for fun, and usually I’ll spot someone doing a solid trick, take a photo from a distance, then go show them the shot after they land it, saying “Yo good shit, check out this photo I got, do you want me to send it to you ?” 80% of the time they’re super stoked and say thank you and they want me to send them the photo, but then the other 20% just say “cool, no thanks” and skate away. In my head I’m like “you don’t want free content..?” I don’t take it personally, but yea, that’s a good example of how welcoming and kind people have been here so far. I definitely feel like there are certain cliques here in Paris that have their squad and want to keep it that way, which doesn’t affect me, but I’m thankful for the people that have welcomed my friendship with open arms.
‘I personally find that shooting a good photo is just as rewarding as landing a trick.’
Assuming you started off skateboarding, at what point did you move to photography and why?
Yea I picked up a board when I was 8 because of my older step brother’s influence, but didn’t really give it much attention until I was 13, and since then I haven’t stopped skating. During high school, my friends were progressing on the board way quicker than I was, and so I was stuck with the video camera in order to capture their tricks – I think that’s what started to develop my photographic eye. Then in 2010 I got my first DSLR as a birthday present from my parents – a Sony a290, and I’ve been shooting skating (and many other subjects) ever since. I’m very thankful for the way it happened, because I personally find that shooting a good photo is just as rewarding as landing a trick.
Is there one skate shot you wish you had taken?
A few come to mind – Blabac’s photo of Kalis on the Bay Bridge, French Fred’s shot of Andrew Brophy’s tre and also Brandon Westgate in the pipeline, Jake Darwen’s shot of Madars’s high ollie off the kicker in Barcelona, I could go on. I’m envious of certain shots because of the moments they reflect, and also because of their creative lighting and compositions, but I look at these photos as inspiration rather than being jealous that I didn’t take them. They’re all eye candy for me.
Proudest moment as a photographer?
I’ve had a few proud moments as a photographer, and I feel that I’m in the right place for what life has for me at the moment here in Paris. But if I had to pick one moment to be most proud of, I’d say it’s when Bastien Salabanzi asked me to shoot photos for him. Not only is he a legend in skating, but he’s such a genuine dude, and a pleasure to skate and work with. I look forward to shooting more with him. Shout out, Bastien!! Also, being asked to do this interview is a very proud moment for me, thanks guys!
“I don’t know why you have all that gear, it’s not necessary”
What is your take on skate shots that have not been landed?
Hmm, I think it depends on what the photo is eventually used for. If it’s for an ad, it should be a land for sure. If it’s for art and the photo itself is killer, then whatever. But let’s say a skater is trying a trick for a while, and the photographer gets a good shot during the process, as long as the skater eventually lands the trick, I think it’s cool to use a good photo that wasn’t a land. And that’s sometimes even a plus for the photographer because then there’s an opportunity to shoot multiple angles.
What gear are you shooting with?
Right now I’ve got a Canon 5D Mark iii, with various lenses. My favorite lens to shoot with is my 85mm f/1.8, but my 24-105mm f/4 and my 70-200mm f/2.8 are super convenient as well. I have a 15mm f/2.8 fisheye, but I want a better one, just too broke right now to upgrade. Then I’ve got two 200w strobes, and two speedlights with appropriate wireless triggers/receivers. I also just started using a Canon F-1 with a 50mm f/1.8. It’s been ages since I’ve shot on film, but it’s so fun and I hope to shoot more on that thing in the future. People have come up to me in the past saying things like “I don’t know why you have all that gear, it’s not necessary” or “Skateboarding doesn’t require all of that gear because it’s not that serious.” I have no issue with going light when it comes to gear for shooting skating, but in order to create the photos that I have in my mind as an artist, I like using the gear that I have. And for the people who only shoot with a body and one lens, all the power to them, it’s still possible to get sick shots with minimal gear. I really like this quote from Rick Rubin: “Art is about the maker. Its aim: to be an expression of who we are. This makes competition absurd. Every artist’s playing field is specific to them. You are creating the work that best represents you. Another artist is making the work that best represents them. The two cannot be measured against one another. Art relates to the artist making it, and the unique contribution they are bringing to the culture.” So yea, I’m just making my own art, some people will like it, some people won’t, and that’s cool with me. Sorry, that turned into a whole philosophical rant (laughing), back to photo questions.
Last question. If you could interview one person, who would it be and why?
Skater? Andy Anderson. He’s so creative and just seems like a sweetheart. Would be fun to chat with him. Photographer? Blabac. His love for photography and skateboarding combined really inspires me. I feel like I could learn a whole lot from him.