WaterSki Magazine

BEHIND THE PHOTO: “Natallia Berdnikava has made Jack Traver’s Ski School in Groveland, Florida her home training site for the last few years — seems to be working well for her.
My photography mentor and part-time friend, Bill Doster, captured Nattie (as her friends call her) in a similar fashion to this image a couple years ago, but she was donning a long-sleeve lycra top and a bulky knee brace. ‘Not too inspiring for a cover shot,’ I told Bill. ‘The Belarusian water ski princess deserves better’. So in late 2011 I drove out to Jack’s and photographed Nattie in three different bathing suit options, and we liked this one the best for our April 2012 cover shot. Makes me want to go tricking!”–Todd Ristorcelli