A Lifetime in the Wild

A scuba diver in cold arctic waters taking a photograph, with icebergs and cloudy sky in the background.

Scott Portelli is an internationally award-winning wildlife photographer, filmmaker and expedition leader, recognised for documenting some of the world's most extraordinary wildlife and remote environments. For more than two decades, he has travelled to some of the planet's most inaccessible destinations, capturing powerful stories above and below the surface while leading small-group expeditions that connect people with nature in meaningful ways.

Specialising in wildlife, underwater, aerial and conservation photography, Scott's work is driven by a deep respect for the natural world and a commitment to sharing authentic moments that inspire conservation. From Antarctica and the Arctic to Tonga, South Georgia, Rwanda and the Falkland Islands, he has spent thousands of hours photographing and filming wildlife in some of Earth's most challenging environments.

Scott's work has been recognised by many of the world's most prestigious photography competitions. His recent accolades include Wildlife Photographer of the Year at the Australian Photographic Prize in 2024 and 2025, Portfolio Winner at the HIPA Awards in 2023, Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year in 2021 and 2024, GDT Nature Photographer of the Year in 2021 and 2024, and multiple category wins at the Nature Conservancy Australia Awards in 2025. He was also part of the Australian team that won the World Photographic Cup in 2021 and is a former national winner of the Sony World Photography Awards.

As a filmmaker, Scott has produced award-winning documentaries that explore wildlife, conservation and the human connection to nature. His films have been recognised internationally, including awards at the French Film Festival in Marseille, Nature's Best Windland Smith Rice International Awards, the International Ocean Film Festival and the Sienna International Photography Awards.

Scott is also a licensed commercial drone pilot, working with tourism organisations, conservation groups and production companies across Australia and internationally. His aerial work has been filmed in destinations including Antarctica, the Arctic, the Azores, Macquarie Island, the Falkland Islands, Lord Howe Island and throughout the South Pacific, always following a low-impact approach that prioritises wildlife welfare and natural behaviour.

Today, Scott combines his passion for photography, filmmaking and conservation by leading premium wildlife expeditions around the world. Whether photographing emperor penguins in Antarctica, swimming alongside humpback whales in Tonga, trekking mountain gorillas in Rwanda or exploring the Arctic in search of orcas, his goal remains the same: to create extraordinary wildlife experiences while helping others develop their photography and build a deeper appreciation for the natural world.

Group of people on stage at an award ceremony, holding trophies, with confetti falling and a large screen displaying Arabic text and the logo of the event.

Awards & Recognition

For more than two decades, Scott Portelli has photographed some of the world's most remote wildlife and natural environments. His work has been recognised by many of the industry's most respected international photography competitions, spanning wildlife, underwater, aerial, landscape and conservation storytelling.

With multiple Photographer of the Year titles, international category wins and recognition across photography and film, these awards reflect a career dedicated to documenting extraordinary wildlife encounters and inspiring conservation through visual storytelling.

View All Awards

A man in a suit and glasses is giving a speech at a podium in an art museum, with fossil artifacts displayed behind him and glass walls showing trees outside.

Exhibitions

Scott's photography has been exhibited in museums, galleries and international photography festivals across Australia and around the world. From London's Natural History Museum to the Australian Museum, his work has helped inspire conservation, celebrate wildlife and connect audiences with the natural world.

Selected Exhibitions

  • Wildlife Photographer of the Year Exhibition, Natural History Museum, London

  • Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year Exhibition

  • Sony World Photography Awards Exhibition

  • Travel Photographer of the Year Exhibition

  • Whale Vision Exhibition, Reykjavík

  • Head On Photo Festival

  • Reef to Cloud Nine, Hyatt Regency Sydney

  • Elysium Antarctica Exhibition

A person standing in an art gallery next to a large exhibit of insects and a framed underwater photo with a shark.
  • A person standing in an art gallery next to two pieces of artwork: a painting of a bee and a painting of an underwater scene with a shark, both mounted on contrasting dark and light walls.
  • A man with a backpack looking at a large black-and-white image of a whale's head and eye displayed at an exhibition.
  • Underwater view of multiple humpback whales swimming near the surface in the South Pacific.
  • A whale surfacing with water bubbling and ripples around it in dark water.
  • A collage of underwater scenes including an oceanic rock formation, a sea turtle swimming, an iceberg, divers exploring, a school of fish, lionfish, a shark, and a reef.
  • Scott Portelli wearing a light gray blazer and navy shirt, smiling while standing in front of an aquarium display with a whale in icy waters.
  • Scott Portelli wearing a black t-shirt with a yellow emblem, smiling and adjusting a framed underwater-themed painting in an art gallery with black walls, with several other framed artworks on the wall.
  • Three vertical banners advertising the opening of the Natural History Museum, featuring a fox's face, with an historic building and trees in the background.
  • Two digital displays in an exhibit showcase a whale, with one showing a close-up and the other with a whale and informational text.
  • Group of people in red jackets on rocky beach holding flags, with ocean and rocky cliffs in the background.
  • Photo of an exhibition area with digital screens displaying photography awards and underwater images, including a large marine animal on one screen.
  • Three framed posters of animals displayed on a wall, featuring images of a gorilla, a panda, and a young gorilla in a natural environment.
  • Close-up of a person's face with blue ink splattered, including one eye and part of a face, with a dramatic and artistic style.
  • Man in tuxedo standing in front of an underwater-themed digital display with fish and coral.

Recent Highlights

  • Ocean Geographic Pictures of the Year

    • Winner – Portfolio

    • Runner Up – Portraits

    • Special Mention – Creative Visions

  • Australian Photographic Prize

    • Australian Photographer of the Year

    • Wildlife Photographer of the Year

    • Aerial Photographer of the Year

    International Monochrome Awards

    • 1st Place – Wildlife Photographer of the Year

    Nature Conservancy of Australia Oceania Photo Contest

    • 1st Place – Lands

    • 1st Place – Water

    HIPA

    • 3rd Place – Power

    • Ocean Photographer of the Year

    • Highly Commended – Fine Art

    Maria Luisa Memorial International Photography Awards

    • Winner – Animal World

    China Wildlife Image & Video Competition

    • Runner Up – Mammals

  • Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year

    • Overall Winner

    Australian Photographic Prize

    • Wildlife Photographer of the Year

    World Photographic Cup

    • Best of Nation – Team Australia

    GDT Nature Photographer of the Year

    • Winner – Mammals

    Nature Conservancy of Australia

    • Winner – Climate

    Siena International Photography Awards

    • 2nd Place

    Nature's Best Photography

    • Highly Commended

    Asferico International Nature Photography Awards

    • Highly Commended

    Big Picture Awards

    • Finalist – Aquatic Life

A collage of ocean and polar ice images, including icebergs, whales, seals, underwater scenes with fish and marine life, and people in cold environments, promoting the 2026 Ocean Geographic Pictures of the Year competition.

Conservation & Partnerships

Photography has the power to do more than document the natural world. It can inspire conservation, support scientific research and encourage people to connect with places and wildlife in meaningful ways.

Throughout his career, Scott has worked alongside tourism operators, conservation organisations, researchers, government agencies and destination marketing partners to capture authentic stories that promote wildlife, protect fragile ecosystems and showcase some of the world's most extraordinary environments.

Whether documenting endangered species, supporting scientific fieldwork, creating destination campaigns or leading responsible wildlife expeditions, every project is approached with a commitment to ethical practices, conservation and genuine storytelling.

Areas of Collaboration

  • Conservation & environmental organisations

  • Tourism & destination marketing

  • Scientific research expeditions

  • Wildlife documentation

  • Documentary film production

  • Editorial & commercial storytelling

  • Government & tourism agencies

  • Expedition leadership & field logistics

Contact Scott
Profile of a middle-aged man with short, wet hair wearing a dark suit, white shirt, and pink tie, in a crowded indoor setting with blurred background lights.

Speaking & Media

With decades of experience documenting wildlife in some of the world's most remote environments, Scott brings a unique perspective to every presentation, interview and event. Drawing on firsthand experiences from the field, he shares compelling stories of exploration, wildlife behaviour, conservation and the pursuit of capturing extraordinary moments in nature.

Scott has presented at photography festivals, conservation events, tourism conferences, schools and community organisations, and regularly contributes to media interviews, podcasts and editorial features. His presentations combine breathtaking imagery, cinematic storytelling and practical insights, leaving audiences with a deeper appreciation for the natural world and the importance of protecting it.

Topics include

  • Wildlife photography & filmmaking

  • Conservation & environmental storytelling

  • Expedition leadership & remote fieldwork

  • Behind the lens: Stories from the world's wild places

  • Ethical wildlife encounters

  • Adventure, exploration & resilience

Whether delivering a keynote presentation, leading a workshop or participating in a panel discussion, Scott tailors each presentation to inspire, educate and connect audiences through the power of visual storytelling.

Enquire
A man in a suit and purple tie speaking at a podium with a microphone, at the Australian Museum.

Published & Featured

From Australian Geographic feature stories to international conservation and wildlife publications, Scott's photography and writing have appeared in magazines, books and editorial features around the world. Each publication represents an opportunity to share the stories behind the images and raise awareness of the extraordinary wildlife and environments that inspire his work.

  • Australian Geographic logo in black and white
  • BBC logo with three black squares and white letters B, B, C
  • The logo of The Washington Post in black Gothic font on a white background.
  • Black text that reads "The Guardian" in large font.
  • USTA TODAY logo with blue background and white text
  • The Sydney Morning Herald logo with a dark blue background and white text.
  • The Weekend Australian logo with the publication name in blue text and a small red map of Australia.
  • Logo of the Australian Museum featuring stylized mountain peaks in red and orange with the text 'Australian Museum' beneath.
  • Logo of the Australian National Maritime Museum with the name displayed vertically.
  • The Oceanographic magazine logo with the title in bold black font on a white background.
  • Logo for the Ocean Film Festival World Tour featuring a stylized whale with a whale tail and fish along its body, with the text 'OCEAN FILM FESTIVAL WORLD TOUR' beneath.
  • Open magazine spread featuring underwater photography of whales, a diver, and marine life with text about wildlife photography.
  • Underwater scene with a seadragon among yellow and green sea plants, part of an article titled 'Masters of Disguise' about Australia's seadragons.
  • A seal underwater among green seaweed and leafy seadragon.
  • Black and white photograph of a shark with its mouth open, taken from underwater, with the text 'The Nature Lover' and the photographer's name, Scott Portelli.
  • A wrecked old car with damaged body sitting under a starry night sky, featuring the Milky Way galaxy.
  • Cover of 'The Australian' magazine featuring an abandoned vintage car in a desert at night under a starry sky with the Milky Way. The headline reads 'No-wheel drive' and the subtext explains the mystery behind the abandoned car beside the Oodnadatta Track in South Australia.
  • A snowy white salt flat under a pastel-colored sky at sunset or sunrise.
  • Photograph of Scott Portelli waist-deep in water holding a camera with drone arms, smiling, with a calm ocean and cloudy sky background.
  • Podcast episode cover titled "seacreatures" with a black and white drawing of a leaf seadragon. The episode features a discussion about leaf seadragons and is titled "Episode 30: Leafy Seadragons with Scott Portelli".
  • A close-up underwater photograph of a small, camouflaged animal, possibly a fish or invertebrate, blending with a yellowish-green underwater plant or coral on a dark background.
  • A man standing outdoors near foliage, holding a microphone, with rocks and water in the background on a partly cloudy day.
  • Three people on stage during a presentation or performance, with a large screen behind them displaying a whale image and the text "OCEAN" and "SEABED AND NEAR SHORE." The stage has lights and various equipment visible.
  • A webpage article discussing how wildlife photographers capture images of leopards and seals, featuring a photo of a leopard in the wild.
  • A sleeping seal lying on the ground in front of a travel website webpage with a humorous travel-related quote.
  • A whale swimming underwater with a layered body and tail visible. The text overlay reads 'A Whale of a Time in The Friendly Islands by Roderick Eime'.
  • Underwater scene with various colorful octopuses and coral, featuring a headline about Scott Portelli, underwater photographer of the week.
  • A man in a gray blazer stands on a stage in front of a large screen displaying an animated image of an animal's face, possibly a frog, with a blue background. There is an audience watching him. The event appears to be part of Ignite, as indicated by the red Ignite logo in the top right corner.
  • Poster for Asferico 2018, an international nature photography competition, featuring images of landscapes, wildlife, and natural elements, with event dates and location details.
  • Underwater photograph of a humpback whale swimming in the South Pacific Ocean, with the ocean surface visible above.
  • A whale breaching out of the water with a few people swimming nearby on a bright, partly cloudy day in the ocean.
  • Cover of Oceanographic magazine featuring an underwater photo of a whale and a diver with text about whale tail identification for conservation.
  • Underwater scene with multiple colorful cuttlefish swimming near coral and seaweed.
  • Two sea turtles swimming underwater near a jellyfish.
  • Nighttime view of Sydney Harbour Bridge with city lights in the background. Text overlays read 'Beneath Sydney' and 'Time & Photography by Roni Pahad'.
  • A magazine cover of 'Life' featuring a leopard resting on a tree branch on the left, and a photo of three whales swimming underwater on the right.
  • Two pages from a book featuring humpback whales. The left page shows an underwater photograph of a whale, and the right page has text about whales, including the title 'Whales in Paradise' and '10th Anniversary Edition'.
  • Underwater photograph of a humpback whale and its calf swimming in the ocean, with text about whale behavior and photography, titled 'Whale Song'.
  • A person carrying snorkeling gear walking on a beach at sunset with the words 'TRUE CHARACTER SERIES' overlayed on the image.
  • Book cover titled 'The Union of Mother & Child' by Scott Portell, featuring an underwater photograph of a whale shark in the ocean.
  • A diver swimming underwater with a whale in the background and a description of Scott Portelli's wildlife photography, dated July 5th, 2019.
  • Title slide with the text "behind the lens" and a description of a wildlife photographer's story.
  • A man is giving a presentation on stage to an audience, with a large screen behind him showing an underwater scene of a diver.

Complete Awards Archive

  • Ocean Geographic Pictures of the Year

    • Winner – Portfolio

    • Runner Up – Portraits

    • Special Mention – Creative Visions

  • Australian Photographic Prize

    • Australian Photographer of the Year

    • Wildlife Photographer of the Year

    • Aerial Photographer of the Year

    International Monochrome Awards

    • 1st Place – Wildlife Photographer of the Year

    • Nature Conservancy of Australia Oceania Photo Contest

      • 1st Place – Lands

      • 1st Place – Water

    HIPA

    • 3rd Place – Power

    • Ocean Photographer of the Year

      • Highly Commended – Fine Art

    Maria Luisa Memorial International Mountain, Nature & Adventure Photography Awards

    • Winner – Animal World

    China Wildlife Image & Video Competition

    • Runner Up – Mammals

  • Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year

    • Overall Winner

    Australian Photographic Prize

    • Wildlife Photographer of the Year

    World Photographic Cup

    • Best of Nation – Team Australia

    Nature Conservancy of Australia

    • Winner – Climate

    Siena International Photography Awards

    • 2nd Place

    Nature's Best Photography Awards

    • Highly Commended

    Asferico International Nature Photography Awards

    • Highly Commended

    Big Picture Awards

    • Finalist – Aquatic Life

    GDT Nature Photographer of the Year

    • Winner – Mammals

    • Top 10 – Birds & Mammals

  • HIPA

    • Winner – Diversity Portfolio

    International Photography Awards

    • 3rd Place – Nature / Underwater

    GDT Nature Photographer of the Year

    • Awarded – Landscape

    International Color Awards

    • Honourable Mention – Aerial

  • International Landscape Photographer of the Year

    • Top 101 Images

    • Three images in the Top 202

    Travel Photographer of the Year

    • Special Mentions – Deserts to Rainforests & Green Planet, Blue Planet

    Wildlife Photographer of the Year

    • Highly Commended

    Siena International Photography Awards

    • Honourable Mention – Underwater

    BioPhoto Contest

    • 1st – Mammals

    • 1st – Birds

    • 2nd – Landscapes

    • Three Honourable Mentions

    International Color Awards

    • Two Honourable Mentions

  • Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year

    • Overall Winner

    • Winner – Threatened Species

    Nature Conservancy of Australia Global Awards

    • Winner – People & Nature

    • Winner – Landscape

    • Global Honourable Mention

    BioPhoto Contest

    • Overall Winner

    • Winner – Other Animals

    Ocean Geographic Pictures of the Year

    • Winner – Human & Oceans

    • Special Mention – Fish Behaviour

    GDT Nature Photographer of the Year

    • Winner – Other Animals

    World Photographic Cup

    • Winner – Team Australia

    Golden Turtle Awards

    • Third Place – Landscape

    Mares Underwater Photo Marathon

    • Winner

    Memorial Maria Luisa

    • Highly Commended – Biodiversity & Black & White

    Travel Photographer of the Year

    • Special Mention & Commended

    International Landscape Photographer of the Year

    • Top 101

    Siena International Photography Awards

    • Remarkable Artwork

    FOTONOJA International Ecotourism Awards

    • Honourable Mention

    MontPhoto

    • Honourable Mention

    Sony World Photography Awards

    • Shortlisted – Landscape

    AIPP Silver Lining Awards

    • Semi Finalist

  • Ocean Geographic Pictures of the Year

    • Runner Up – Photojournalist

    • Honourable Mention – Behaviour

    Underwater Photographer of the Year

    • Highly Commended – Behaviour

    Winner – AIPP Silver Lining Awards (Wild Category)

    • DPG/Wetpixel Masters Underwater Imaging Competition

      • Best of Show – Wide Angle

    Lens Beyond Ocean Underwater Photography Competition

    • Winner – Portfolio

    Travel Photographer of the Year

    • Runner Up – Landscape & Earth Elements Portfolio

    International Ocean Film Festival

    • Swimming With Gentle Giants

    Black & White Spider Awards

    • Honourable Mention

    International Photography Awards

    • Honourable Mention

    Siena International Photography Awards

    • Remarkable Artwork

    Siena International Drone Awards

    • Commended

    Mono Awards

    • 5th Place & Highly Commended

    BioPhoto Contest

    • Finalist

    Asferico International Nature Photography Awards

    • Highly Commended – Mammals

    2019

    Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year

    • Winner – Animal Behaviour

    International Photography Awards

    • 3rd Place – Nature / Underwater

    • Six Honourable Mentions

    National Geographic Travel Photo Contest

    • 3rd Place – Nature

    Memorial Maria Luisa

    • Winner – Submerged

    Underwater Photographer of the Year

    • Runner Up – Behaviour

    Pollux Awards

    • Winner – Wildlife

    • Honourable Mention – Fine Art & Wildlife

    Mares Underwater Photo Marathon

    • Winner

    Siena International Photography Awards

    • Remarkable Artwork

    Siena International Drone Awards

    • Commended

    BioPhoto Contest

    • Highly Commended

    Asferico International Nature Photography Awards

    • Runner Up – Underwater Worlds

    AIPP NSW State Awards

    • Three Silver Awards

    2018

    Black & White Spider Awards

    • Winner & Two Honourable Mentions

    Travel Photographer of the Year

    • Awarded – Tranquility

    Nature's Best Photography

    • Highly Honoured

    Big Picture Competition

    • Finalist – Aquatic Life

    Asferico International Nature Photography Awards

    • Winner – Underwater

    Ocean Geographic Pictures of the Year

    • Runner Up – Animal Behaviour

    International Color Awards

    • Honourable Mention

    2017

    Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year

    • Winner – Animal Behaviour

    Nature's Best Photography

    • Highly Honoured

    Sienna International Photography Awards

    • Honourable Mention & Remarkable Artwork

    Black & White Spider Awards

    • Two Honourable Mentions

    MontPhoto

    • Honour Award – Underwater

    International Color Awards

    • Honourable Mention

    2016

    Wildlife Photographer of the Year

    • Award Winner – Invertebrates

    Sony World Photography Awards

    • Australian National Winner

    National Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year

    • Honourable Mention

    Canon APPA Awards

    • Gold

    • Silver Distinctions

    • Category Finalist

    2015

    World Shootout Grand Prix

    • Grand Winner – Dive Destination Portfolio

    Nature's Best Ocean Views

    • 4th Place

    Ocean Art Awards

    • Honourable Mention

    Travel Photographer of the Year

    • Best Image in Portfolio

    • Special Mention

    Festival Mondial de l'Image Sous-Marine

    • Two Film Awards

    Canon APPA Awards

    • Two Silver Distinctions

    AIPP NSW State Awards

    • Three Silver Awards

    2014

    Ocean Geographic

    • Outstanding Achievement Photojournalism Award

    Australasia Underwater Photo Competition

    • Winner – Wide Angle

    Cairns Underwater Film Festival

    • International Winner

    Beneath the Sea

    • 2nd Place

    Asferico

    • Highly Commended

    2013

    Underwater Festival Shootout

    • Winner – Big Stuff

    • Winner – Humans

    • Winner – Ultra Short Video

    Through the Lens

    • Winner – Encounters

    Honourable Mention – Animal Behaviour & Encounters

    • Deep Indonesia

      • Bronze – Sharks

    2012

    Canon APPA Awards

    • Gold – Science, Environment & Nature

    Epson World Shootout

    • 2nd Place – Sharks

    International Loupe Awards

    • Silver

    2011

    Epson World Shootout

    • 3rd Place – Wide Angle

    ANZANG Nature Photography Awards

    • Runner Up – Underwater

    Celebrate the Sea Festival

    • Merit of Excellence

    ADEX Photographer of the Year

    • 2nd Place – Wide Angle

    • 2nd Place – Underwater Video

    Beneath the Sea

    • Honourable Mention

    2010

    Sony World Photography Awards

    • Highly Commended

    Through the Lens

    • 3rd Place – Wide Angle

    ANZANG Nature Photography Awards

    • Runner Up – Our Impact

    Worldwide Photography Gala Awards

    • Two Honourable Mentions

    British Underwater Image Festival

    • Highly Commended – Wide Angle

    • Highly Commended – Video

    2009

    SUBIOS Seychelles Underwater Festival

    • 2nd Place

    2008

    Through the Lens

    • Winner – Wide Angle

    Celebrate the Sea Festival

    • Honour of Distinction – Behaviour

    2007

    Celebrate the Sea Festival

    • Ocean Geographic Underwater Photo Journalism Award

A man in a black tuxedo and bow tie holding a large silver trophy in front of a digital display with the text 'HIPA' and 'Power' on it, at an awards event.

Camera Gear

Over decades of photographing wildlife in some of the world's most remote environments, Scott has refined a lightweight, dependable camera system capable of performing in everything from Antarctica's freezing conditions to the warm tropical waters of Tonga.

As an OM SYSTEM Ambassador, Scott relies on professional equipment that delivers exceptional image quality, portability and reliability in demanding field conditions. His kit is purpose-built for wildlife, underwater and expedition photography, allowing him to work efficiently whether photographing whales beneath the surface, penguins on Antarctic ice or aerial landscapes from above.

    • OM SYSTEM OM-1

    • OM SYSTEM OM-1 Mark II

    • Olympus OM-D E-M1X

    • Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II

    • M.Zuiko Digital ED 150-400mm F4.5 TC1.25x IS PRO

    • M.Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm F2.8 PRO

    • M.Zuiko Digital ED 300mm F4 IS PRO

    • M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm F4 IS PRO

    • M.Zuiko Digital ED 60mm F2.8 Macro

    • M.Zuiko Digital ED 30mm F3.5 Macro

    • Marelux underwater housings

    • Olympus underwater housings

    • Marelux Apollo S strobes

    • Olympus UFL-3 strobes

    • 12-inch custom dome port

    • Custom tow camera system

    • Kraken underwater video lights

    • DJI Mavic 3 Pro

    • DJI Mavic 4 Pro