Case study ยท Resort photographer and videographer in residence

Niyama
Maldives.

Two surf seasons living on the island for Niyama Private Islands Maldives. Guests got their best waves on camera, and the resort got a steady stream of surf, island and underwater content for its own channels.

2surf seasons in residence
161KYouTube views, drone film from the season
119KYouTube views, Pt.2
2025brought back for prime surf season, with press release

The
project

Niyama sits on two islands in the Dhaalu Atoll, with its own breaks, Vodi and Kasabu, a few minutes by boat.

The brief

Show the Maldives as a real surf destination, not only villas and lagoons. Give surfing guests a way to take their sessions home, and keep the resort's social and press supplied with fresh content all season.

What I did

Lived on site as photographer and videographer in residence. Shot guest surf sessions from the water, the boat and the drone, aquatic lifestyle shoots for non surfers, and resort stories around the island and the reef.

The result

Content the marketing team used across its channels, a testimonial from the marketing manager, and an invitation back for the 2025 prime surf season, announced in the resort's press release alongside surf pro Brad Gerlach.

In their words

"Rafael consistently delivered top notch content. His work boosted our engagement and reach significantly."
Nathan Kemp, Marketing Manager, Niyama Private Islands Maldives
Travel Trade Maldives headline: Niyama reunites with surf pro Brad Gerlach and photographer Rafael Fragoso de Sequeira Niyama guest flyer: surf and lifestyle photography with Rafael, in residence

The
films

Raw drone sessions from the 2025 season. The most watched videos on my channel.

Selected
work

Surf, island, reef and drone from the two seasons. Tap any photo to see it full size.

Surfer launching off the lip in the Maldives
Guest session
Wooden jetty and palm over turquoise water at Niyama
Island life
Split shot of a small island above the reef
Over and under
Wave throwing in the sun from the water
From the water
Pod of dolphins underwater
Dolphins
Boat bow heading to the surf at sunrise
Boat to the break
Coral head in clear blue water
Reef
Aerial of the Dhaalu Atoll
Dhaalu Atoll
Swimmer at the surface seen from below
Aquatic lifestyle
Sea turtle over the reef
Under the surface
Wave feathering in the offshore wind
Offshore
Turquoise lagoon from above
Lagoon

For hotels, resorts and surf camps

The same model for your property

A residency works for any property with waves, reef or a strong outdoor side. I can also come for a set trip if a full season is not the right fit.

Resorts and hotels

Let's
talk.

Tell me about your property, your season and what your marketing team needs.