On Water's Edge: Redefining Extreme Shots with Svetlana Romantsova

Photographing Wind, Water & Wild Moments: Svetlana Romantsova’s Story & Why She Trusts Outex

When you scroll through kiteboarding coverage from the GKA Kite World Tour—or flip through surfing, snowboarding, adrenaline-fuelled sports spreads—you’ve probably seen the work of Svetlana Romantsova (@romantsovaphoto). Her images make you feel the salt spray. They catch athletes in mid-air, under dramatic skies, and surrounded by water. They celebrate movement, light, and nature in all their unpredictable glory. 

We had the chance to dig into her journey: where she started, what drives her, how she captures the “once-in-a-heartbeat” shots, and why Outex water housings are part of her toolkit for protection and absolute creative freedom.

From Elbarus to the Edge: Svetlana’s Photography Journey

• The spark
  Svetlana’s love for photography began in 2004 on a trip to Elbarus. The scenery was breathtaking—but her point-and-shoot just couldn’t do it justice. She realized she needed gear that could keep up. Soon after, she invested in a Canon 5D Mark II and dedicated herself to learning, enrolling in photographic school. 

• From hobbyist to full tilt
  While she initially worked in a Moscow office as an engineer, Svetlana’s heart pulled her in another direction. Still balancing studio work and “real life,” she gravitated toward extreme sports: snowboarding, surfing, and eventually kiteboarding. Trips to Les 2 Alpes, and later a bold move in 2011 leaving the city, were turning points. She headed to Vietnam and Bali, chasing light, action, landscapes—and stories. 

• The kiteboarding connection
  Kiteboarding came after photography—but once she tried it, things shifted fast. Around 2007, she began spending more time at kite spots. A friend invited her to shoot a kite camp at Dakhla Spirit, and what was meant to be two weeks stretched into two months. She met people who pushed her, mentored her, and believed in her. Over time, she began regularly covering competitive tours (GKA, GWA), from freestyle to big-air, capturing emotion, technique, sweat, wind, salt, and sun. 

• Broadening horizons
  While kiteboarding is one of her signature subjects, it’s far from her only canvas. Svetlana also photographs snowboarding, nature, fashion, travel. Her portfolio shows a drive to capture both high adrenaline and quiet moments—the still reflective surface of water, the glow of sunrise or sunset, the energy of waves.

• The lifestyle of a photographer on the move
  Svetlana doesn’t have one fixed “home.” She spends seasons in places known for wild natural beauty and water sports: Morocco, Turkey, Brazil, Mauritius, Egypt, Bali, Georgia, Armenia. She picks locations that stretch her, that require adapting equipment, dealing with unpredictable conditions.

What It Takes to Capture Kiteboarding & Watersports

Svetlana is often working in extreme conditions:

• Shooting from the water means dealing with waves, spray, wind, changing light, salt, and motion. Keeping steady, safe, protected gear is non-negotiable.

• At competitive events, the pace is relentless: long hours, constant editing, delivering for riders, organizers, social media. The ability to switch modes, anticipate moments, be ready to switch between wide angles, tight kite lines, ambient shots, portraits, environmental (“where the rider is in context”) shots.

• Staying true to her style (strong, vivid colors; capturing energy and emotion; revealing not just the trick but the place, the sky, the light, the environment) while serving clients who might want something specific. Svetlana talks about briefing clients, then weaving in her perspective. 

Why Outex Underwater Housings Are a Game-Changer for Svetlana

When you see Svetlana’s photography, especially shots taken in or near water—whether it’s kiteboarding, wave riding, or just surf-splashed moments—you’re seeing gear that can handle more than just being “safe”. Here's why Outex housings fit so naturally into her work:

1. Freedom in any condition
   With Outex housings, gear can go in the water, ride the chop, take spray, be submerged, without stopping. Svetlana often shoots from the water; she needs housings that seal securely, resist leaks, tolerate pressure, and still give access to controls. This means she doesn’t have to choose between creative angles (underwater, half-surf, splash) and safety.

2. Speed & readiness
   The best shot sometimes lasts a split second—a wave, a flip, a kite pulling up high. Outex’s designs allow her to transition quickly: get in the water, adjust angle, shoot, move. There’s no bulky, slow gear holding her back.

3. Protection of gear, longevity
   Salt, moisture, sand, light impacts—these are the enemies. A good housing protects expensive cameras and lenses; less downtime, fewer repairs, less worry. Svetlana travels constantly. A housing she can rely on means less risk, more creativity.

4. Visual opportunities unlocked
   Using a water housing doesn’t just protect—it enables. Splashes, under-surface distortions, reflections, unusual perspectives (partly submerged, or from below) are all tools for artistic expression. Svetlana mentions that unpredictable reflections or random splashes make for unique shots. Outex housing becomes part of her creative palette.

What We Can Learn from Svetlana & What You Can Try

Svetlana’s story holds lessons for any photographer (or creative) chasing action and light:

• Don’t wait for perfect. She learned early that sometimes what limits you is gear or mindset—not location or talent.

• Invest in reliability. While art and passion matter, the technical side (weather-proofing, protective gear) lets you consistently create and deliver.

• When the sun is close to the horizon (sunset or sunrise) try shooting in the water against the sun for beautiful  effects and the reflection on the water's surface. 

• Embrace unpredictability. Waves, wind, light all change. Some of the best images come from unplanned moments.

• Blend personal style with client needs, but don’t lose what makes your work distinct. Svetlana’s style is vivid, energetic, but also pays respect to environment and mood.

• Travel with light and smart tools. Traveling means compromise—choose gear that gives you the most flexibility. For example, experiment with water-repellent on your port if you want to eliminate water drops from your images.

 

Why You Might Want Outex, Too

If you’re reading this and thinking: “Wow—I want to get closer to the action. I want to shoot that wave, that rider, that kite popping out of water,” here are some reasons to explore Outex:

• It’s not just a “water case”—it’s a tool to expand what you can capture. Outex uses optical glass ports and domes for THE BEST imaging results out there - bar none. It's superior to water housings costing 3-4 x times as much using plastic/acrylic ports. 

• Outex is brand agnostic and universally compatible with all cameras and lenses, so the same housing can be used for film, dslr, mirrorless, medium format, and some cinema cameras like RED, BlackMagic, and more.
• It maintains all functional control over buttons, knobs, and dials thru the patented, malleable, tactile-rich cover, whether your on hot sand, or under icy water wearing gloves.

• For photographers who shoot outdoors, travel, sports, surf, snow, etc., it’s a travel friendly safety net, so you don’t miss moments because you were afraid to get wet.

• It helps keep your gear safe so you can keep investing in what matters: your vision, your angle, your creativity.

Athlete: Airton Cozzolino

Final Thoughts

Svetlana Romantsova reminds us that passion plus persistence plus smart gear equals images that move people. When you combine her eye for light, her willingness to be in the water, her bold travel decisions—and support that with gear like Outex that doesn’t hold her back—you get photos with heart, with energy, with life.

If her images inspire you, maybe it’s time to try taking your own leap: get that waterproof housing, get in the water, chase that moment. You might surprise yourself.