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'Grant has been documenting my skating career since before either one of us realized that skateboarding - or skateboard photography - could be a career. His photographs tell my story in the best way possible. Beyond Expectations is a tribute to the culture that shaped us all, and exhibits the magical connection between skateboarder and photographer.' - Tony Hawk
In 1980, when Del Mar Skate Ranch employee J. Grant Brittain walked outside the ramshackle office and aimed his camera at the few locals, including 12-year-old Tony Hawk, both of them had no expectations. That approach allowed the pair to develop their outsider passions with a freedom that radically altered how people around the world see skateboarding.
More than a mere chronicle of the world’s most popular skateboarder, this book is an artistic celebration of a misfit subculture in a constant state of evolution. Tony and Grant’s images and recollections, along with their peer’s memories, provide a deeply personal reflection on lives that went beyond expectation.
'Little did I know that when, in 1980, the young Tony Hawk skated through the front gate of the Del Mar Skate Ranch where I was employed, that our not-yet-started careers would begin their parallel paths. Since then, over the last 45 years, Tony and I have shot photos of some of the key moments of his amazing skateboarding career. Beyond Expectations includes less seen, some never seen, and personal behind-the-scenes moments only friends can capture.' - J. Grant Brittain
Beyond Expectations opens up Grant’s archives, with hundreds of iconic photographs, many unseen until now, taken from file cabinets of negatives, contact sheets and slides, personally curated by Tony Hawk and J. Grant Brittain.
The book's photographic journey starts at the root of Tony’s skateboarding career, centred at Del Mar Skate Ranch, which attracted a ‘random gang of castaways’ but was a breeding ground for future pro skaters including Tod Swank, Rodney Mullen and Neil Blender. Grant was there for the whole thing, and photographed Tony Hawk as he went from amateur, to pro, to the household name he is today.
'Stacy would point me to Grant and it was so intimidating to skate in front of him! There was a form of validation in shooting with Grant. Stacy could have put me with an up-and-comer that shot for Transworld but I knew I was getting the top guy. He was as high as it got when it came to photographs. It was red carpet—that’s what it felt like. I remember I hit him in the mouth on a backside 360 nosegrab and to this day I cringe when I think about it. I gave him a bloody lip but he just said, ‘Oh, we got the shot!’' - Rodney Mullen
The photography runs alongside an intimate conversation between Tony and Grant as they reminisce on their shared history. They begin at Del Mar Skate Ranch, where they met and cut their teeth. Grant was slinging Cokes and manning the kiosk, while 13-year-old Tony would frequent the skatepark as soon as school was over. This marked the beginning of a friendship and collaboration that has lasted decades.
Alongside a Foreword from Tony, as well as an introduction and interviews conducted by biographer Sean Mortimer, are insights from a host of legendary contributors including Christian Hosoi, Lance Mountain, Lizzie Armanto, Matt Hensley, Mike McGill, Tommy Guerrero, Neil Blender, Patton Oswalt, Rodney Mullen, Shepard Fairey, Stacy Peralta, Steve Olson, Tommy Guerrero, Tony Alva, C.R. Stecyk III, Steve Caballero, and more.
'Grant and Tony had a really strong relationship. You could tell that Tony really respected Grant and Grant really respected Tony and they had one of those relationships where very few words had to be exchanged, they just knew what each other was going to do.' - Stacy Peralta
Tony Hawk is one of the most influential skateboarders in history. He turned pro at age 14 and became known for his innovation in vert skating. Hawk won over 70 skateboarding competitions during his career and helped bring the sport into the mainstream. In 2002, he founded the The Skatepark Project, which has helped fund nearly 700 public skateparks, mainly in low-income areas. Through both his skating and philanthropy, Hawk became the global face of skateboarding and played a key part in elevating it into an Olympic sport.
J. Grant Brittain is a renowned American skateboard photographer who began his career in the late 1970s. Starting at the Del Mar Skate Ranch in California, he began documenting the emerging skate scene, capturing iconic images of legends like Tony Hawk, Steve Caballero, and Christian Hosoi. In 1983, Brittain co-founded Transworld Skateboarding magazine, where he served as photo editor for over 20 years. His distinct style - combining artistic composition with raw skate action - helped define how skateboarding was visually represented. Brittain’s photography has been featured in galleries and exhibitions worldwide. His influence remains foundational in how skateboarding is seen and remembered.
Sean Mortimer is a respected skateboarding writer and editor known for documenting the history and culture of skateboarding. A former pro skater himself, he brought insider knowledge to his work. Mortimer served as editor for Transworld Skateboarding and co- authored several key books, including Hawk: Occupation Skateboarder with Tony Hawk, The Mutt with Rodney Mullen and Stalefish, a collection of interviews with skate legends. His writing preserves the voices and stories of influential skaters, and serves as a vital record of the sport’s evolution and its key figures.
Numbered 1 to 350, the Deluxe copies are fully bound in recycled leather with colour foils and black page edging, and have an inset portrait of Tony Hawk. They come housed in a clamshell box featuring skating ephemera. Each Deluxe copy is individually signed by Tony Hawk and J. Grant Brittain.
The Deluxe edition is completed by a facsimile of Air Photozine, a zine created by Grant during his time at Del Mar, an A2 poster of the clamshell box, three facsimile passes belonging to J. Grant Brittain – his Del Mar Skate Ranch membering card, and a VIP press pass and an NSA press pass – a facsimilie ticket to the premiere of The Search for Animal Chin, and a signed photographic print of Tony Hawk, signed by J. Grant Brittain and hand-numbered. The print (11" x 14") is suitable for framing and comes in a protective envelope with the book title foiled on the front.
A portion of the publisher's proceeds from this edition will be donated to the Skatepark Project, founded by Tony Hawk, which has awarded $13 million to help fund nearly 700 public skateparks in all 50 US States, enjoyed by an estimated 17 million people annually.
Numbered 351 to 1,000, the Collector copies are quarter-bound in recycled leather with an Imitlin cover, black page edging, and have an inset portrait of Tony Hawk. They come housed in a clamshell box featuring skating ephemera. Each Collector copy is individually signed by Tony Hawk and J. Grant Brittain.
The Collector edition is accompanied by a facsimile of Air Photozine, a zine created by Grant during his time at Del Mar, an A2 poster of the Clamshell box, and a signed photographic print of Tony Hawk, signed by J. Grant Brittain and hand-numbered. The print (8" x 10") is suitable for framing and comes in a protective envelope with the book title foiled on the front.
A portion of the publisher's proceeds from this edition will be donated to the Skatepark Project, founded by Tony Hawk, which has awarded $13 million to help fund nearly 700 public skateparks in all 50 US States, enjoyed by an estimated 17 million people annually.
More than a mere chronicle of the world’s most popular skateboarder, this book is an artistic celebration of a misfit subculture in a constant state of evolution. Tony and Grant’s images and recollections, along with their peer’s memories, provide a deeply personal reflection on lives that went beyond expectation.
Since 1974 Genesis has created signed limited edition books on behalf of authors and artists ranging from the Beatles to Buckingham Palace.
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