Financial Times - HTSI Magazine

Jun 2026

For the latest edition of Financial Times HTSI Magazine, specifically The Escape Issue, photographer Zac Bayly crafts a visual narrative that effortlessly captures the intersection of high-end editorial storytelling and the rugged allure of coastal leisure. The cover feature, aptly titled How To Surf It, leans into a sense of escapism, anchoring the composition with a striking symmetrical portrait. A woman stands amidst the shallows at dusk, the fiery orange and deep purple hues of a dramatic sunset bleeding into the wet sand to create a rich, cinematic atmosphere. Bayly utilizes natural light to soften the contours of the scene, allowing the vibrant contrast between the model’s pink jacket and the dark, moody horizon to take center stage. The execution is polished and precise, feeling distinctly aligned with the magazine’s reputation for sophisticated lifestyle reporting. Fashion editor and stylist Nicola Neri masterfully juxtaposes technical surf wear with classic beach aesthetics, while hair stylist Lok Lau contributes to the grounded, windswept energy of the subject. By pairing a weathered surfboard as a central visual anchor with the elegant layout of the publication, the project avoids the clichés of travel media, instead offering a textured, deliberate piece of editorial photography that invites the viewer to step into a moment of pure, uninterrupted stillness.

Editorial, Lifestyle

Natural light

Magazines, Media & Entertainment