Surf Photographer Hank Foto Passes Away at 62

Hank Foto, a prominent surf photographer, passed away at the age of 62 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He died on August 8, 2026, leaving behind a significant impact on the surfing community.

Born Brian Stephen in Newport Beach in 1964, he earned the nickname Hank Foto while working at a snack bar at Salt Creek. He transitioned into surf photography in the early 1980s and became known for capturing surfers in challenging conditions as a staff photographer for SURFING.

In December 2025, Foto was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, which brought financial challenges as he was the sole provider for himself and his teenage son after the loss of his wife in 2018. His passing prompted tributes from many in the surfing world, including Kelly Slater, who shared personal anecdotes and expressed the void left by Hank's departure.