Surf Photographer Hank Foto Dies at 62, Leaving Behind Son and Legacy
Hank Foto, the esteemed surf photographer for Surfing Magazine, passed away on Saturday at the age of 62 after a struggle with pancreatic cancer. He leaves behind his 15-year-old son, Fender, whom he raised following the passing of his wife in 2018. A GoFundMe page has been established to assist their family. Born Brian Stephen in Newport Beach, California, in 1964, he began his career in surf photography during the early 1980s, adopting the name "Hank Foto." His first published photograph was featured in 1984, and he relocated to Hawaii in 1990. Foto was known for capturing significant moments in big-wave surfing, including a notable 1994 cover of Erik Barton at Teahupo'o. Kelly Slater paid tribute to him on Instagram, mentioning Foto's contribution to his book cover, "Pipe Dreams."
Key facts
- Hank Foto died at age 62 after a battle with pancreatic cancer.
- He was born Brian Stephen in Newport Beach, California, in 1964.
- He was the sole provider for his 15-year-old son, Fender, after his wife's death in 2018.
- A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to support Fender and Hank's family.
- He earned the nickname 'Snack Bar Hank' while working at a snack bar at Salt Creek in Orange County at age 13.
- He made his first surf photography trip to Bali in 1983.
- He was mentored by Larry 'Flame' Moore, photo editor of Surfing Magazine.
- His first published photograph appeared in Surfing in 1984.
- He moved to Hawaii full-time in 1990 to work as a staff photographer.
- His 1994 Surfing Magazine cover photo of Erik Barton at Teahupo'o became famous.
- He photographed Kelly Slater, who paid tribute to him on Instagram.
- He shot the cover of Slater's first book 'Pipe Dreams' in 2003.
Entities
Artists
- Hank Foto
- Brian Stephen
- Erik Barton
- Kelly Slater
- Larry 'Flame' Moore
- Brian Bielmann
Institutions
- Surfing Magazine
- Surfer
- Stab
- FreeSurf Magazine
- GoFundMe
Locations
- Newport Beach
- California
- Salt Creek
- Orange County
- Bali
- Hawaii
- Pipeline
- Waimea
- Outer Reefs
- Teahupo'o
- Tahiti