In the world of short-form content, social media, and clickbait titles, it’s refreshing to see YETI embrace long-form storytelling. YETI’s series of coffee table books explores pursuits through world-class photography and exceptional storytelling. Their first book, curated by David Mangum, and the focus of this piece, Tarpon, explores all that is the Silver King.
Recently, we sat down with photographers Perrin James and Jared Zissu, featured in Tarpon, to learn more about their images and their photography. Perrin James is an underwater photographer and filmmaker from Pompano Beach, Florida. Jared Zissu is the founder of Flylords and a passionate photographer whose work captures moments and stories in fly fishing. Follow along with this Behind the Shot as we learn how these photographers got the shot.
Perrin James – Underwater Tarpon
Flylords: Who are you, and how long have you been shooting photos?
Perrin James: I’m Perrin James, an underwater photographer and filmmaker from Pompano Beach, FL. I now live on the road and on the Big Island of Hawaii, creating underwater content of diving, fishing, surfing, and of course, the animals that call the water home. I started shooting underwater photos in 2012 and have continued to grow with it since. It’s been a truly wild ride.
Flylords: Where and when was this photo taken?
Perrin James: These photos were taken a few years ago under the bridge in the Boca Raton Inlet. The inlets of South Florida are known to hold tarpon, and on this particular day, it did not disappoint.
I was revisiting places I grew up diving. The inlets and jetties here on the east coast of Florida taught me about tides and where to find fish in different eddies. My friend Dane Ralph joined me for this dive, and we just checked out all the different schools of snook and tarpon.
Flylords: Can you paint a picture of what it was like when this photo was taken?
Perrin James: If you’re familiar with South Florida’s inlets, they are channels between the intercoastal waterways and the ocean. When the tide is moving, a lot of water moves through these inlets, making it the perfect place for predatory fish like tarpon and snook to congregate. However, due to the current, diving can be tricky.
On this particular day, the tide had just turned to slack. This gave us a 30-minute window to dive and explore an area that is usually a ripping current. It basically turned into a swimming pool full of these dinosaur tarpon. They are certainly one of the coolest fish to photograph, and pretty friendly as far as large predatory fish.
Flylords: As the photographer, what is your favorite part about this photo? What does it say to people who see it?
Perrin James: For me, these images represent where I fell in love with the Ocean. Before I was able to travel the world, all I had were these tarpon and snook. Diving these places as a kid kept me out of trouble and really sparked my passion for photographing fish and underwater life.
Flylords: What was your reaction to seeing it published in the YETI Tarpon book?
Yeti has done such an incredible job with their outdoor series of books. The images they choose capture the emotion of a particular pursuit. In the case of Tarpon, it was an honor to have my images published alongside so many other incredible photographers. Long live PRINT!
Jared Zissu – Jumping Tarpon
Flylords: Who are you, and how long have you been shooting photos?
Jared Zissu: I’m Jared Zissu, the founder of Flylords, and I’ve been shooting photos for the last 10 years. Wherever I go, I bring my camera to capture fishing moments and stories through the lens.
Flylords: Where and when was this photo taken?
Jared Zissu: This was probably one of the luckiest photos I’ve ever taken, it really puts into perspective right time, right place… We were camping on a sailboat in the Marquesas. I was with BTT scientist Ross Boucek and their partnership director, Mark Rheibine. The goal was to tag some tarpon and get into some really cool areas at first light. The fishing was tough; we were seeing tons of fish, but nobody wanted to eat.
I remember jumping out of the boat to grab a few casting shots of Ross. After a few photos of him casting, my ADD kicked in, and I started shooting photos of a spiny lobster staring up at me in the seagrass. Ross and Mark drifted about 75 yards away, and I heard a scream. Ross finally hooked up! I quickly raised my camera and slammed the shutter down. I was shooting super shallow, I think at a 1.7 aperture, and the background was bright but just perfectly silhouetting the angler. I was pretty sure there were some cool shots, but when we got to the boat and uploaded them to my computer, I knew I had captured a special moment.
Flylords: As the photographer, what is your favorite part about this photo? What does it say to people who see it?
Jared Zissu: I think the photo shows everything you need to know: it’s the fish, the guide, and the angler, nothing else. It almost feels like you are in heaven catching Tarpon, which, honestly, would be pretty cool. Could you imagine one long, endless flat that you get polled along with hungry tarpon?
Flylords: What was your reaction to seeing it published in the YETI Tarpon book?
Jared Zissu: It was such an honor to be in the Tarpon book, amongst so many other legends. Mangum did an incredible job curating the book, and when he sent me an email, I was so pumped.
It’s a good reminder if you want to capture badass moments: always have your camera with you. With a little luck, some photogenic friends, and understanding camera settings, you can make it happen.
