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Maybe it’s because we rarely (if ever) get a birds-eye view of the beach — or because, in a sea of word art and family photos, these colorful prints lack an obvious focal point — but it’s hard not to stare at Gray Malin’s images. They just reel you in. Seriously:
The photographer is best known for his overhead beach scenes, shot from a helicopter overlooking coastlines from Australia to California, and everywhere in between. He’s become a lifestyle blogger favorite, showing up on the walls of Cupcakes and Cashmere creator Emily Schuman’s living room, Suits (and The Tig) star Meghan Markle’s home, and Oh Joy! blogger Jo Cho’s hallway.
While I was drawn to the dreamy quality of the photos themselves, from the sprinkles-like scattering of towels and overhead umbrellas — which are occasionally shot in such a clean, grid-like pattern that they’re oddly soothing to gape at — to the sun-soaked color palette, I loved how Malin’s artistic philosophy mirrored the LBW lifestyle. Each photo is “about capturing a moment you want to live within.” It’s that little burst of joy that inspires you and lifts you up after a loooong day; that jolt of color and movement that brightens up an otherwise bland wall. Basically, it makes every day an escape from the ordinary.
Malin’s prints can be found on everything from Sperry’s boat shoes to iPhone cases and wallpaper, but I’ve found it’s just as delightful to scroll his Instagram feed, taking in his art anytime you need a two-minute mental vacation.