‘It’s not a costume’

Mark Courtney is a freelance photojournalist and avid surfer and stand-up paddleboarder. He has worked as a photographer and photo editor for two midsized daily newspapers for more than 30 years. He has done freelance photography for publications including Sports Illustrated, Rolling Stone, The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times and other newspapers and magazines as well as corporate clients. He regularly paddles his SUP on the salt marshes behind Masonboro Island, Wrightsville Beach and Figure Eight Island.