Photos courtey of Pegasus Lodges

Surf photography was never a lucrative vocation, but now, with no monthly retainers from surf mags, ever-shrinking ad-shot revenue, and bugger-all surfcos throwing budget at sprawling team houses on the North Shore every winter, it can be diabolically challenging for a salty lensman to keep the wolf from the door.

So what’s a lifelong surf photographer to do? Genial Gold-Coast- based Andrew Shield has managed to keep his family fed by shooting commercial work for boat manufacturers such as Quintrex, catalogue work for various surf brands, and all the while staying prolific on the surf editorial front – even if the returns for that endeavour are diminished.

One of the nice developments in Shieldsy’s career is the relationship he’s formed with the Pegasus crew up in the Telo Islands - Telo Island Lodge & Pinnacles on Telo. Guests have a world class photographer at their disposal for their 10-day stay, pay Shieldsy direct for their photo package, and Shieldsy gets put up in some classy digs. It’s an arrangement that’s given the mellow legend lots of tasty setups to shoot, and the opportunity to score an obscene number of waves for himself. It’s not uncommon for the fortunate bastard to do half a dozen trips a year.

Anyway, here’s a few lineups and moments over the last couple of years from Shieldsy’s enviable home away from home.

Captions by the photographer.

This left is a bit of a mission to get to, but there’s kegs a'plenty on tap...

...while this one is a fairly mellow affair, but compensates with a pleasing length and wrap.

No denying the Telo Islands have a few more surfers these days, but quiet corners reward the diligent.

Impressive A-frame, but full marks to the fallen palm tree for having another go at life.

This is one of the more consistent swell-magnet breaks. Out of frame to the right lies another series of peaks (where many lessons are taught when there’s some size).

Jack Freestone a few years back. It’s a good place to get work done with a co-operative pro. It’s Noa Deane’s favourite wave in the area too.

Sure, a lot of setups here aren’t thumping death or glory tubes, but tell us you wouldn’t have fun at this spot.

May we recommend The House Right?

The sunsets up here – particularly in late season are something to behold, especially with a cold Bintang as you motor back to the Lodge after surfing all day. I swear I’ve seen grown men almost get teary.

Tory Gilkerson works as a guide at Pinnacles on Telo and is one of the happiest and most easy-going souls you’ll met. 'Tozza' was also the 2016 World Longboard Champion.

The right out the front of Telo Lodge needs to get chest-high to move off the reef. This is probably as small as you’d bother to surf it, which could explain old mate’s decision to chill.

Nothing if not scenic: Pinnacles’ surf guide Jacque, otherwise known as Wobby (short for Wobbegong - shark rhymes with Jacque), clocks on for another day of gainful employment.