Between the flags

February 27, 2023

Morning gang,

How was your weekend? Any exciting stuff? Mine was pretty chilled - no Mardi Gras, no concert of Kylie Minogue, Ed Sheeran or Harry Styles (but that was certainly all over my feed)

As every Monday, exercised down at the bars in North Bondi with the crew and when it was getting too hard/the light was ON, I escaped to take photos in the water. The water was divine, I stayed a good 45 mins in it and took photos of what was going on around me. Let’s be honest, North Bondi is way more quiet than down South so if you went for a dip, I took a photo of you.

The perfect way to kick off the week if you ask me,

Have a wonderful week,

Ciao,

Amo

Technically awful, yet my favourite one of this morning

Happy Matt Pearce! He trained with me but go up to the end, you can tell.

It's Monday after all... I would happily stayed in bed too

Kim McIntosh, our extraordinaire trainer

Ryan Manente, getting that first splash!

One BIG community

February 24, 2023

Morning gang,

Happy Friday!

What a great way of wrapping up the week! This morning was just epic. The photos don’t really give justice to how good the morning was.

One of the things that I love about Bondi is that even though there are a lot of different communities, the Bondi Salties, OneWave Fluro Crew, Bondi Penguins, Friday Swim Club, the 440 run club, Team Murph… when comes a time to rally everyone together, they all turn up. This morning was for the Sea Sheperd #NetsOutNow gathering. Good on you guys!

As I was saying the photos don’t really give justice and being honest I don’t think they are that great but it doesn’t matter - I’m glad that I got to capture this. Alright, I think that’s enough rambling for this morning…

Keep up my friends, I’m proud of you!

Xoxo

Amo

Henry, one of the guy behind Bondi Salties

Out in the sun

February 23, 2023

Morning gang,

The weather forecast, unfortunately, got it right, another great day to stay in bed and dream of more sunny days. That’s exactly what I did and I have no regrets whatsoever.

Here is a selection of photos from picture-perfect Bondi. Yes, sometimes I change my identity to ‘Afternoon Bondi’ or ‘Evening Bondi’. Sh*t happens as they say. We live in Paradise, I can tell ya!

On a more serious note, due to the recent incident of the dolphin getting caught and dying in the shark net, you can see the very sad video on the Drone Shark App account, the guys from Sea Sheperd Australia are organising a gathering tomorrow at 6 am in front of the Bondi Pavilion. Watch this video by Hunter DeRusha, Sea Sheperd Australia’s NSW Shark Defence coordinator for all the details.

Shark nets are absolutely useless and unfortunately do not prevent sharks from coming close to the beach. The facts are here. Also, remember that video of the wobbegong shark getting very close to me when I was shooting only a few meters from the Icebergs. You see, absolutely pointless!

See you down there gang,

Xoxo

Amo

North Bondi boat ramp, a great place to hangout

Bondi Beach before the Cool Cabanas took over

David Finato, my first Aussie mate. I've known this guy for more than 20 years.

Julius Cruickshank, another of my oldest mates, part of the OG Morning Bondi crew

Brace yourself

February 22, 2023

Morning gang,

How’s everyone today?

What a wild weather, after yesterday’s crazy storm, this morning was full on wind. No point in going outside as I didn’t want it to mess up my hair. Just kidding, I was happy to sleep in for once.

Today and tomorrow are not going to be too nice but we should have a great end of the week and weekend according to the weather forecast. My advice to you, squeeze in as much work as possible in the next couple of days so that you can get in the sun once it’s back in town.

Here are some photos from the archives, all in portrait mode for a change.

Have a wonderful day my friends,

Ciaoooo,

Amo

BondEye - one of my most popular photos back in 2017 (Why? No idea)

Flat rock, best place to hangout at sunset if you don't mind the scratches

T-Yew-sday

February 21, 2023

Morning my friends,

OMG what a morning! Were you down there? It felt like the entire Eastern Suburbs were down there making the most of the morning before the rain comes later today.

I woke up early and squeezed a quick workout down at the bars in North Bondi, then I had to stop around 6:20 am when the light started to be good.

For a change, I walked along the promenade up to South Bondi and back to North via the beach. I stopped along the way to take photos and had a few chats with the usual suspects.

It was incredible, now I’m super pumped to carry on with the day.

Have a wonderful day,

Amo

Technically not a good photo but I love it

Charlotte Wearne, Jess Bodell and the little Pearl

Cheeky Friday

February 17, 2023

Morning gang,

How’s everyone today? How good was this morning!

For a change of angles, I took my sexy water housing for a swim with me - a perfect day for it, minus all the seaweed on the shore, which was not that pretty.

Taking photos in the water is by far the most challenging thing ever, there are so many things that you can’t control, the water on the lens, the sun flare, the fact that you are manically trying to stay afloat and all the surfers that want to kill you with their boards. But eh what a reward when you nail a good one.

After hanging out with all the surfers in South Bondi, I ventured to the Icebergs to take some photos. The water splashing on the edge was incredible, then climbed the stairs, and took a few more before being told off by the management that it wasn’t allowed. Obviously, not what you want to hear but eh I really like the photos and the Icebergs might do too so who knows I might be back but please don’t tell them, I don’t want to get in trouble. I reckon I should get a petition going to get VIP access to it. Would you sign it?

Have a cracking Friday my friends,

xoxo

Amo

Old mate Grant waiting for the Fluro Crew!

Sunrise from the surf brings the best colours

Maca Pineda from Chile, just arrived 2-weeks ago and is amazed by the number of surfers

The naughty corner (that's where I'm going to end-up if I climb the stairs again)

Out of this world

February 16, 2023

Morning my friends,

How’s everyone today?

Personally, I’m super pumped! After an awesome preview of the Alliance French Film Festival last night with my new bestie Guillaume Brahimi, I was already pretty excited but this morning top it up.

It was just out of this world, started with amazing first lights, then incredible sunrise and then four dolphins showed up and started jumping just next to the Icebergs. Trust me, it was dolphinitely flippin’ awesome!

Everyone had their phone out, no one was training at the Icebergs Gym - fair enough. I was also meant to exercise with my mates but bailed completely.

That’s all folks,

xoxo

Amo

PS: My apologies for the delayed update but amazeball sunrise and busy morning is never a good combo.

Not much working out going right there...

That feelin' when you didn't see the dolphins!

Valentine's Day

February 14, 2023

Morning my friends,

How’s everyone this morning?

When the alarm clock went off at 5:30 am, I had good intentions to go down the beach but changed my mind while looking at the weather outside - just not very inspiring and I have an early meeting so stayed in bed, worked a little and wrote this amazing prose that you are reading right now. 🤦🏽‍♂️

I will leave you with just that as clearly the inspiration is not there.

Happy Valentine’s Day everyone,

Lots of love,

Xoxo

Amo

Mark Fontela about to re-create the 'First in, first ripples'

When you forgot that it was Valentine’s Day and I’m here to remind you…

VERTICAL

February 13, 2023

Morning my friends,

Hope you’ve all had a great weekend.

After a pretty good weekend weather-wise, today was slightly different - it was grey, windy and we even coped with some light drizzle halfway through the workout session. Loving it! Unfortunately, no escape as we were already down there.

Today and tomorrow are meant to be pretty bad (perfect time to get work done) but hopefully sunshine is back on Wednesday morning.

Have a love week my friends and enjoy the archive photos all shots in portrait mode,

Ciao,

Amo

North Bondi at sunset is the equivalent of South Bondi at sunrise

Friday ⚡ Energy

February 10, 2023

Morning gang,

Happy Friday! How good was this morning!

After a fantastic event organised by the legends at Studiospace - pitched Bread Agency, got all excited and met a bunch of like-minded entrepreneurs, I went to bed way too late last night. So I had a bit of a slow morning, slept in up to 6 am (I know not that late but by my standards yes) then ventured down the beach. The sun only showed up around 6:40 am, plenty of time this morning to slowly wake up.

I had so many good chit-chats this morning, took some photos throughout, quick dip and back home for an early meeting. We are in full swing working on the Volvo Ocean Lovers Festival down in Bondi. This thing is going to be epic! Get amongst it @OceanLoversFestival and share the love.

I think that’s enough blabla for one morning, enjoy the photos, if you don’t, you know the drill send all your complaints to customerservice@morningbondi.com, and someone might get back to you.

Xoxo

Amo

Friends who swim together, friends forever

Fridays at the Bergs are alway a bit hectic

Oli Coulthard - amazing car photographer. I put him on a Toyota job a bit more than 2 years ago and he’s still working with these guys since then.

People of Bondi

February 9, 2023

Morning my friends,

Hope you had a good night sleep or a great day for my overseas friends.

As you would have seen in my Stories, this morning was not so good. So instead, I have decided to put together a special collection of photos.

One of the things that I love the most about Morning Bondi is meeting people. I’m what we call a “people person” - this is my thing, I feel like I’m growing up one conversation at a time. Morning Bondi has allowed me to meet 1,000+ of people and I love that.

I love it so much that I was even thinking of creating a special page 8+ years ago called “People of Bondi” - think ‘Humans of New York’ but beach style. I got rid of the idea as I felt I was already busy enough between Morning Bondi and my day-to-day job.

I could go on forever but I will just leave you with that.

Have an awesome day my friends and chat tomorrow,

xoxo

Amo

Dion Horstmans, toughest guy around, best sculptor and my kettlebell coach

Liv Phyland, Ex-TV host and co-founder of 'Girls who Glow' program

Sam Schumacher & Grant Trebilco, the Founders of OneWave

Sullivan Chedanne, fellow Frenchy, best product photographer

Caroline Groth, health and wellness expert and 98 gym fanatics

The Morning Bondi crew, a few years ago when my daughter Charlotte was still a baby.

Eugene Tan aka Uge, photographer and model behind Aquabumps

Johannes Grissmann and Bree Bunzel, love birds

Michal Frydrych, Bondi biggest trouble maker (I mean he did the Netflix Stranger Things activation on Bondi Beach)

Charlotte Connell with Finn, mum, surfer and climate change maker

John Macarthur, unofficial Mayor of Bondi, People Person (x10) and Fashion Icon

Peter Springis, one of the best school teachers of the East

My training crew led by the one and only Kim McIntosh

Morning Coogee

February 8, 2023

Morning my friends,

How’s everyone today?

Today for a change, I ventured down to Coogee. The sunrise was pretty uneventful but all good as funny enough I had an event to attend so I was busy anyway. You see what I’ve done here! :)

I was invited by the legends from Running Heroes to the official launch of the brand-new ASICS Gel Nimbus 25. This new pair of running shoes have already been officially accredited as "the most comfortable shoe in the world". I back that up, they were pretty damn comfy! We road-tested them with a run followed by some breathwork and an ice bath with the legendary Deano Gladstone from Power of the Breath.

Alright, back to Coogee, a few locals have been asking me in the past why I never venture down this beach in the morning. To be honest, I don’t mind Coogee but there is not much to photograph. I was running out of ideas pretty quickly (not that many people around, no surf…), plus unlucky, the sunrise was pretty rubbish too so I missed the golden colours. I guess I will have to come back once the conditions are optimum and judge again then.

Have a lovely day my friends,

Xoxo

Amo

Rory Warnock, the other good looking breathwork specialist

Great logo placement, I had to take a photo

Love these awnings, could spend hours underneath

The ASICS Gel Nimbus 25, the most comfortable shoe in the world

Body clock

February 7, 2023

Morning gang,

How’s everyone going? Were you down there this morning?

By 4:30 am, I was fully awake and getting ready to go down the beach. My body clock has been messing around with me. It’s been 4 days in a row that I wake up that early. Stressed? Not at all! I actually have no idea what’s happening, it’s not as if I was going to bed early either - unless 11 pm is early.

Anyhow, enough about me, how good was this morning! The sunrise was incredible, the temperatures outside and inside the water perfect and there were 1,000+ people making the most of it.

Have a lovely day my friends,

Xoxo

Amo

'First in, first ripples' is looking pretty in pink too

Just hanging around the shark buoy you know...

Bondi busy in the morning?! Not so much!

Oh oh, look who's back in town? After a few years spent in Paris, Xav had enough and is back in town. Good to see you bud!

I don't know her but one thing that I know, she was ripping

Corey Oliver setting up the beach. Good to see you buddy!

What's the shoot all about? No joke 5 people asked me. I have no clue. Does anyone know?

The light was incredible for at least 45 mins

Far North

February 6, 2023

Morning beautiful people,

How was your weekend? Hope you had a good one.

This morning, I decided to stop being lazy and train with the usual fitness gang down at the bars in North Bondi. When I say train, I was just there with them for 30 mins, then I had to stop as the light was getting interesting, plus I had a coffee catch-up with my friend Tash so had to stop anyway.

Love the vibe in North Bondi in the morning but if I’m honest South Bondi is where it’s at. The sunrise is way more impressive to watch from up there. What do you reckon?

On that note, have a fabulous week my friends and enjoy the sunshine,

Xoxo

Amo

Lifesaving training is hard. The patrolling is a lot easier.

The sunrise hitting South Bondi at least 15 mins before the North

The North Bondi Lifesaving Club at sunrise

When you are going to be late for school... Life in Australia for kids is horrendous!

When you remember it's Monday, don't cry buddy!

Why is there a shopping trolley under the lifeguard tower?

Dave post-swim making sure that it's still all in there

FriYay

February 3, 2023

Morning gang,

What a morning my friends! It was just incredible, the perfect way of wrapping up the week.

Everyone was there, enjoying the epic conditions, even the dolphins showed up. I caught up with Michel Pirog from Running Heroes (an excellent app made in France, of course), we were chatting while I was taking photos and he was taking some drone shots. Fun times, we covered the entire beach from every single angle.

Other than this, as part of their 'Golden State of Mind' Serie, the legends from Coco Republic recently tagged along on my morning routine to create this beautiful video. Thank you so much for the opportunity and this stunning cinematography. Big up to the team Anthony Spon, Natalie Culina and Mike Perry.

Have a lovely weekend team and chat with you on Monday,

Cheerio,

Amo

Watching the sunrise from the pool, pretty spesh

Name a more iconic duo patrolling the beach, Harrison Reid and Anthony Glick

When you not sure where to get it with this shorey

Paradiseland

February 2, 2023

Morning my friends,

How’s everyone today? Did you miss me much? I certainly did.

I’m back in the hood after an awesome 10-day trip between Singapore and Thailand. It was amazing but almost too short. Let’s be honest, I liked both countries but I’m very happy to be back here, we truly live in Paradise and the weather is more bearable too.

The light was interesting, the shorey was nasty and I bumped into the usual suspects. Too lazy/tired to exercise, I just concentrated on what I do best: coffee, chit chat, photos and dip in the ocean with my mates.

Have a wonderful day and chat with you tomorrow,

Xoxo

Amo

Relaxing down the beach before going to work is pretty special

About last Sunday

January 19, 2023

Morning team,

How are you all? Still in bed? This weather is clearly not inspiring to step out of bed.

I naturally woke up at 5 am (🤦🏽‍♂️) and decided to start editing the photos from last Sunday arvo. To be honest, I was secretly waiting for a day like today to do it so here we go.

As most Summer Sundays, weather permitting, I usually catch up with mates in North Bondi for a few drinks and swims - by far the best way of wrapping up your weekend.

Last Sunday was absolutely nuts, I have never seen the rocks that busy - people everywhere, impossible not to take a photo without at least 5+ people in the shot. If you are agoraphobic, please look away as it’s not pretty.

Enjoy your day gang, mine is going to be pretty chilled with a New Year’s Lunch with one of our bread clients.

BOOM!

Amo

Michal Frydrych, event organiser, photographer, model, socialite and party animal

Full house

January 18, 2023

Morning everyone,

OMG, what an amazing morning! It was probably the best light we've had in a long time.

It started with some beautiful pink clouds, followed by a golden light. The beach was packed. Heaps of happy people all around making the most of the morning before the rain is meant to come later today.

I have an early meeting, so I will leave you with the photos.

Enjoy my friends and feel free to share the love with your friends as they deserve to see these photos too.

Xoxo

AMO ('Amaury' for the Frenchies)

That's what Bondi was looking like at 6:10 am sharp

Is he popping the question or just stretching?! Hang on, I'm confused now.

North Bondi aka NoBo for the hipsters (by the way, are hipsters still a thing?)

Tutorial on how to be featured on Morning Bondi 101. Lesson # 1- Enter the water like this

The icebergs at sunrise, best spot in da house

The boys in blue (Daniel McLaughlin and Harrison Reid)

Playful

January 17, 2023

Bonjour everybody,

How's everyone today?

For a change of scenery, I went down to Bronte, same as last Tuesday actually. I was meant to catch up with a mate but he bailed on me - as good mates do. 🤪

The light was interesting just to say the least. The sun was playing hide and seek all morning with the clouds. Naturally, I was only taking photos when it was ON.

There is a sepia feel to some of them - which I don't mind. Some of the others are pretty average to be honest. What do you think? Do you like the photos this morning? 👍🏼 or 👎🏼 Be honest, no offence taken whatsoever.

Have a lovely day my friends,

All smile for Eddy Lecas (I met on his first week in Australia back in 2013)

Swimming in Bronte Pool at sunrise has to be one of the best things you can do (for free) in Sydney

...alright my turn now, chat to you tomorrow!

Monday crowds

January 16, 2023

Morning gang,

How good was the weekend! I spent Saturday arvo and almost all day yesterday down the beach. Bondi on weekends not so much - too hectic. I usually go to harbour beaches instead, which are much more chilled. Yesterday, I joined a few friends on the rocks, it was so crowded - I haven’t seen it like that for at least 2-3 years - pre-Covid. I took a few photos and will post them next time the weather is crap.

This morning was absolutely unreal, so many people around. The Icebergs was jam-packed by 6 am. Cray-cray! I took a few shots from there then joined my friends in North Bondi. Yep, I skipped the training bit - I don’t need many excuses for that anyway.

Have a lovely week and if you live locally, please go down for a swim. You won’t regret it, the water is amazing and crystal clear.

Chat to you tomorrow,

Amo

Eugene Tan, male model, photographer and store owner

Les archives. Another day, another rainy day… As I could see it was not raining, I ventured down much later than usual, around 6:45 am. I just arrived and a light drizzle started. What are the chances?! I joined my mates for a quick dip in the ocean and coffee at Chapter One (my unofficial gallery, they have five of my prints on the wall). Still worth going out, if you ask me… Have a great day my friends and stay warm as it’s a bit nippy at the moment. Ciao, Amo PS: I’m going camping this weekend with a bunch of mates but pretty sure I don’t have the right equipment to cope with the cold. I only have a summer sleeping bag… It’s going to be fun, they say. 🤦🏽‍♂️🥶

Rainy days. Do you know what rainy days mean? It means archive days. Here are photos from the past couple of months, most of them were my second favourite ones so you wouldn’t have seen them before. As you know, I love doing my Morning Bondi routine but it actually takes so much time. I’m talking about the photo bit especially. At the moment, I take photos from 6:30ish when the sun is up for roughly 30-40 minutes, then selection of the good photos for 20 mins, light edit the best ones for 10 mins, then write the morning blurb for 3-5 mins (I tend not to overthink this, as you can tell), then upload of each individual photos on the blog for 10 minutes, then newsletter for 5 minutes, then Instagram for 3 minutes, Facebook 3 minutes and Instagram Story 3 minutes. Basically, around 1.5 hours on average. So yes sometimes, I’m glad when it’s raining as I’m saving so much time. Have a beautiful day, despite the weather, and chat with you tomorrow, Xoxo Amo

Golden Sea. Slow start this morning, it was pretty average unless you could wait up to 8am (I couldn’t) to see the sun popping out behind the curtain of clouds. It was all about the golden reflection of the hidden sun on the water. Gold 24-carat for a few minutes. I don’t have much to tell you today except that if you live locally and love ‘Shark Tank’ TV show, you will love the local version of it. It’s called the Bondi Innovation Shark Tank organised by the @bondichamber and it’s next Wednesday at @hotelravesis You can find all the deets in the media release and book your tickets on the blog. I’m going with my awesome business partner Mary Proulx and supporting Sam Cust, one of the sharks (I think that’s what we call them). If you come down, let’s have a beer and break bread (what I love the most about our business name is that the puns are endless). I loaf you! (see) Amo

Nothing to worry about, it's just a tornado off North Bondi, ... 🌪️😲 I took this photo this morning around 9:30 am. I was shooting with @versefinejewellery in South Bondi when we saw this waterspout tornado coming out of nowhere. Scary much? Look closely and you can see the person around Ben Buckler's cliffs running for his life... That's all folks!

Pure Heaven. What another beautiful start to the day! While yesterday was all about big waves, today was all about the mad reflo on the sand - absolutely stunning. I was sitting just next to Morning Bondi HQ and was snapping like a maniac. Have a cracking weekend and subscribe to the newsletter if you want to see the photos earlier in the day - new Morning Bondi formula. ;) Xoxo Amo

Bombastic. OMG, what an incredible morning! It's a very late update as I had a pretty busy day and didn't have a chance to post before now. The newsletter was out around 10am though, so subscribe to it if you want to see the photos before everyone else. It was honestly one of the best mornings we've had for a little while. The light, the waves and the surfers braving the waves. Xoxo Amo

Low-tide goodness. What a stunning morning! Today was all about the low-tide gold reflection. It was just the perfect conditions for photos. The problem, only a few people out including two metal hunters. I was with fellow Frenchy @dianeperreau all morning. I reckon she’s the most popular French person in Sydney. So many people are stopping her every morning to have a chat and take a selfie with her. Have a lovely day my friends, Ciao, Amo

Into the wild. What a cracker of a morning! For a change of scenery, I ventured down to Bronte this morning. I reckon I made the right choice, it was just an incredible show. I was with my mate @paolocattaneophoto for the entire morning and we were just looking at the waves rolling in. Bronte Pool was the best place in da house. If you follow me on Instagram, you would have seen the very rare video of me talking to the camera. With @bread_agency, my agency, I recently started working with the team from @in2thewild.aus, the best tiny houses business around. In order to have a better understanding of the experience, the client kindly invited me to go for a couple of days with my wife and daughter. Real legends, best onboarding! The whole experience was amazing - especially for someone like me that is pretty hyperactive. I just ‘re-wilded’ for two days. Even though the network was working where we were, I put my phone in airplane mode the whole weekend and made the most of the experience. The tiny house was kitted with all the things that you need, all the products in there are premium and sourced from ethical brands. Let’s be honest the firepit and outdoor bath were the highlights for me. I would highly recommend it to anyone, especially if you are like me and struggle to switch off. They are running a Winter Campaign which is all about swapping your usual beach days for days in the wild. You can book one of the 46 cabins all around Australia using the link in my Stories to get up to 20% off this winter OR alternatively try your luck entering the simple giveaway that they are organising on their Insta. You can thank me later! Xoxo Amo

Monday Madness. This is a very late update compared to usual but busy day today. This morning was just nuts down the beach. I only took a few photos before having to rush to an early meeting in the city. The swell should still be here tomorrow, so go and have a look if you can. Xoxo Amo

FriYay. How’s everyone today? After two days in Melbs (Melbourne for the hipsters), I’m back in the hood. What a morning! Incredible light, the surf was ON and the Icebergs was packed - perfect for photo ops. This morning I caught up with my mate Ben, a fellow Frenchy that I haven’t seen for years. We hung out around the Bergs and finished with a swim in South Bondi - how original. Enjoy your weekends my friends. Mine is going to be pretty epic. I’m going into the wild, literally. That’s right, I’m going to one of @in2thewild.aus’s tiny houses. More on this subject later. Stay tuned people! Have a cracking weekend, Lots of love, Amo

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