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Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2022

Being awarded at the 2022 Wildlife Photographer of the Year in London, the most prestigious photography competition in the world, is an honour and a privilege to say the least. I truly am ecstatic to be recognized for my work and humbled to be among such talented photographers, competing on the world stage. One of my proudest moments and career highlights. We enjoyed an unforgettable night as we dined in the great hall of the Natural History Museum under the impressive blue whale skeleton, stunning architecture, and great company, as the top 100 award winning images in the world chosen from over 40,000 submissions from 93 different countries, were revealed to a room full of excited photographers. This image has a very special meaning for me and to have it showcased to the world, truly is an honour and makes me so happy that the judges chose to award this photograph.

In the temperate waters of the southern parts of Australia, a truly unique wonder lies hidden, camouflaged by nature, an evolutionary chameleon of the ocean. Leafy seadragons inhabit shallow reefs and seagrass meadows from South Australia, across to Western Australia.  As with much of our marine life, they are under threat from habitat loss, the impact of climate change warming our oceans and increased pollutants from human excess. Off Cape Le Grand National Park, Western Australia, a curious Australian sea lion came in close, rolling around in the kelp, shifting her gaze between me and the Leafy seadragon. This dual portrait captures a rarely seen interaction between these two elusive and endangered species showing the vulnerability of both.

 

Ocean Souls Documentary Feature Film

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

Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year

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.

 

Whale Vision Exhibition in Reykjavík

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.”

Protecting the Australian Giant Cuttlefish – Travel Feature

As the Australian Giant Cuttlefish Aggregation comes into full swing, it’s time to talk about protection of this iconic natural event. I recently did an interview with Chris and Laura Travels about this phenomenon, what it means to tourism and how awareness and protection of the marine environment during this vulnerable mating period is what will ensure the protection of the species. You can see the full article here

Team Australia take out the Photographic World Cup

The World Photographic Cup is an international competition where countries get the opportunity to enter a portfolio of images to be presented and judged on the world stage.
AIPP, as the representative body for photography in Australia, submits work from selected members as Team Australia. I am proud to be a part of team Australia for this prestigious award.
The efforts of our finalists were enough to bring home the World Photographic Cup, first place overall!! Australia is now only the third country to achieve the feat of winning the WPC TWICE.
Huge congratulations to the fellow Aussie team;
Forough Yavari
Joshua Holko
Andy Cheung
Steve Scalone

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Feature Short Film – International Ocean Film Festival

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

 

World Photography Cup top 10 finalist in Nature category for Australia

Proud to be part of the AIPP team representing Australia in the World Photography Cup 2021. Announced this week my image “Killer Instincts” made the top 10 finalist in Nature category for Australia. This is one of the most prestigious fine art photographic competitions of the year with some of the best images and image makers from across the globe. The 2021 announcement is scheduled for April.

https://www.worldphotographiccup.org/wpc_gallery/finalists-2021/

 

Australia’s endemic Weedy & Leafy Seadragons Article – AG 159 issue

This month’s edition of the Australian Geographic magazine, features my photojournalistic piece on Australia’s endemic Weedy & Leafy seadragons and the work being done by citizen science to understand these amazing creatures while endeavouring to protect the species and their environment. Early next year I will release an exhibition “The Last Dragon” to present a unique perspective of these creatures. The fine art exhibition is a culmination of the last 5 years documenting these amazing creatures across Australia’s southern reef. Proceeds will go towards supporting the efforts of researchers and citizen science initiatives. stay tuned for more details. #iloveseadragons Australian Geographic