A.J. Neste Biography

By Mike Cianciulli

For Anthony James Neste, photography was in his blood. Born and raised in Deer Park, New York, the son of renowned Sports Illustrated lensmen Tony Neste, young A.J. would get dragged along to his father's shoots as soon he was old enough to carry a camera bag. Before he knew it, A.J. was on the sidelines at NFL games, ringside with George Foreman, spring training with Yogi Berra and absorbing more photo skills and techniques than the young protégé realized at the time.

Landing a job with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Tony Neste moved the family to Flagler Beach, Florida and A.J. instantly fell in love with the ocean and surfing. But soon, a Division I baseball scholarship drew Neste away from the beach. Upon his return, and a little confused on what his future would hold. He picked up one of his father's cameras and began taking photos of some local Florida surfers. Within no time, A.J. was selling photos to local papers and magazines to support his growing hobby.

But it was his first trip to California that changed everything. He tagged along with pro surfer and friend Will Tant and renowned surf filmmaker Matt Katsolis on a trip up the Pacific coast to Big Sur. The area is a photographer's dream, with lush landscapes, bone-crunching waves, and towering redwood trees. After clicking off a handful of quality images to show Matt Walker an editor at Surfing Magazine, Neste's foot was in the door with a major publication.

"Photography runs in A.J. Neste’s blood," noted Jimmy Wilson, Assistant Photo Editor for Surfing Magazine. "The guy has lived it his whole life. I'm not sure if there’s another person in his field that’s more willing or motivated to get the job done, and with a quality stamp on it. A.J. is a surf photographer, but it’s his other photography that really separates him from the pack. From portraits, to travel, to photojournalism, to unbelievable landscapes, A.J. does it all."

With momentum on his side, Neste returned to the east coast to shoot the Eastern Surfing Association championships and met Mike Gerard, Executive Director of Surfing America. Gerard was impressed with his images and immediately offered Neste the job of Staff Photographer for the USA Surf Team.

Since then, he's traveled around the world shooting with a photojournalistic eye while freelancing for the major surf publications. Looking to expand his realm, Neste began shooting for catalogues, ad campaigns, movies, album covers, retail window displays, and, his newfound passion, weddings.

But above all, it's A.J. Neste's personal touch. Outside the sports action field, Neste's lifestyles, portraits and landscapes truly speak to his strengths. His willingness to make his subjects feel comfortable in front of the lens and his professional post-processing are what ensure his longevity as an industry-leading photographer.