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Ocean Souls is a natural history documentary about the intricate lives of cetaceans and a collaboration of more than 100 film makers. I had the opportunity to be part of this project providing an extensive series of footage for the film. The film uses the best images from the world’s greatest marine photographers and filmmakers. It shows the largest diversity of cetaceans ever presented on screen. With perspective that include aerial, land and underwater footage, while showcasing on-camera celebrities, subject matter experts and scientists. The film to date has received more than a dozen accolades and continues to be one of the most prominent cetacean documentaries of its time.

You can see the film here: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/oceansoulsenglish

I am so very honoured to be the 2021 Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year. Being awarded in one of the most prestigious and respected nature photography competitions in Australia if not the world, is a privilege to say the least.

I am ecstatic to be recognized for my work and humbled to be among such a high calibre of photographers. This is one of my proudest moments.

Navigating a Covid-19 year has been difficult for many nature photographers, but it has taught us that we live in one of the most incredible natural wonders in the world. Australia’s coast, desserts, reefs, and rainforests hold a plethora of subject matter to discover, not to mention the diversity of wildlife above and below the surface.

I am passionate about the ocean and its inhabitants, and a lot of my work is centered around conservation and protection of various marine species. But I am a little obsessed with Seadragons, so I was very excited when I found out that my image of a Leafy Seadragon was selected as the overall winner. Not to mention that I was also the winner in the Endangered Species category with my image of the declining grey nurse shark.

The Whale Vision Exhibition premiered in Iceland’s capital with hundreds of visitors stopping by each day at the first whale conservation exhibition organized by the conservation group “Hard to Port”. My work was exhibited with some of the worlds best whale photographers to help support education and hopefully inspire others to act for our oceans and their inhabitants.

“Coming eye to eye with an intelligent being like a humpback whale can be life changing for many people. The connection you experience when you look in the eye of a 40 tonne humpback whale can evoke so many emotions. Happiness, curiosity, empathy, we look into their eyes with questions with very few answers. It is a look of understanding and acceptance. The Humpback whales of Tonga have this effect on people and the ability to touch our souls. Our oceans are vulnerable and the marine creatures that live in them face many challenges, connecting people with the ocean and its unique inhabitants is how we can protect them.”

Over the past two decades, I have devoted myself to documenting and capturing the behaviour of humpback whales in Tonga, a group of islands in the middle of the South Pacific. In 2019 I asked Director Stefan Andrews to join me in Tonga and produce a documentary about these amazing creatures and my experience learning about the intricate lives of these gentle giants. Over the past 20 years I have been collecting data to support the research efforts of many organisations. In 2014 I launched a research initiative called the Tongan Fluke Collective, which encourages visiting photographers to donate tail shots in an effort to identify individuals and learn more about the Humpback whale population in Tonga. The film shows the beauty of these majestic creatures and explores Scott’s close connection to these animals and showcases a fascinating variety of unique whale behaviour.

https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/372698210