Featured Image: Matt Draper
By: Laura Lillycrop
“Internationally acclaimed photographer Matt Draper uses his images as a way to spread awareness about environmental issues, as well as foster love for the ocean by replacing fear with fascination”
Born in New Zealand, Matt Draper now lives in the community of Byron Bay, Australia. With an interest in photojournalism and ocean imagery, photography has allowed Matt to travel to some of the most secluded areas of the world, documenting wildlife for the purpose of education and positive change for the environment.
Image Credit: Matt Draper
Self-taught, Matt is passionate about capturing his subjects for what they are, allowing individuals to see the raw beauty behind his photography. He prides himself in using only natural light. This, in combination with his free diving skills, makes for little to no disturbance when getting up close and personal with marine life.
Using just the oxygen he can hold in his lungs Matt Draper dives alongside some of the world’s most massive ocean animals to capture them in the most legitimate way possible.
The reason behind his method is pretty clear: “The bubbles you get from scuba diving can be seen as an aggressive kind of behaviour to some species,” Draper said. “Using lighting also feels a bit artificial to me, and I’m not sure the animals would appreciate having a strobe or a flash in their eyes.”
Image Credit: Matt Draper
Matt Draper’s pictures are taken just a few feet from the target species, seeming to be only an arm length away from great white sharks and humpback whales.
He can get this close, he says, because he spends a portion of time getting to know each species, how it moves about, and what it likes and doesn’t like. This strategy allows him to photograph these creatures in as relaxed a state as possible.
“Some for example don’t like eye contact and I try to just mimic their behavior,” Matt said.
Image Credit: Matt Draper
Matt Draper specifically has a love for capturing images of sharks and said in the past, he’s felt more anxious around whales than he has around great white sharks. “Whales can be curious and a bit wonky. You don’t want a 40 ton whale coming down on top of you,” he said.
Draper’s career has peaked during the last two years, which he credits to an ever-growing fan base he’s been able to create through the use of social media. He now tutors photography in Tonga and travels all over the world to get the ideal shot.
Image Credit: Matt Draper
Before photography took over Matt’s life for the better, Draper was a carpenter who moved to Australia to work in the mines. He always felt that he had a creative outlet that wasn’t being put into action.
Matt said his primary goal with his work was to show animals complete, just as they appear in their environment and to remove some of the stigma around sharks. He says coming face to face with great white sharks was a humbling experience and that he actually finds it extremely calming.
Whale, keep up the great work, Matt!
Matt offers a wide range of services including private tuition, fine art on different mediums and commercial for hire. Check out his website, here.