Shayne Nienaber Photographer

Born and bred in the vibrant coastal city of Durban, South Africa, Shayne grew up with saltwater in his veins.

Raised in a family that cherished the ocean, the beach was his playground, and surfing became a daily ritual after school. As a teenager, he was inspired by the glossy pages of ZigZag and Australian Surfing Life magazines—two publications that shaped his view of surf culture and photography long before he ever held a camera.

In 1999, Shayne made the life-changing move to Australia, settling on the sun-soaked Gold Coast. Surrounded by world-class surf and a community that lived and breathed the ocean, he embraced the lifestyle and continued chasing waves both locally and abroad. One memorable trip to New Caledonia marked the beginning of a new passion photography. With a camera in hand, he started capturing candid moments of his mates in the surf. Soon after, he picked up a water camera and dove into the ocean, blending his love for surfing with a growing talent for visual storytelling.

Since then, Shayne’s work has come full circle. His photos have been featured in both ZigZag and Australian Surfing Life Magazine—a dream come true for the kid who once pored over their pages. His photography has taken him to stunning locations including Fiji, Portugal, and Norfolk Island on assignment, always chasing light, motion, and the spirit of the sea. Today, Shayne continues to share his unique perspective from behind the lens, shaped by a life spent in and around the water.