Biography

Based in Melbourne, Australia, a passion for wildlife and the environment has been with him over his extensive career that began at the Zoological Board of Victoria. Jason has since been recognised globally for his contributions to Science, the Environment and the Arts.

Photography is about more than just capturing beautiful pictures; the goal is always to tell a story. My images come from stories larger than the individual frame.

Through his commissioned work and as the face of National Geographic Channel's Pure Photography, Jason has taken his story telling to dozens of countries and to every continent. His work has appeared in hundreds of publications including National Geographic Magazine, BBC Wildlife, Australian Geographic, Sports Illustrated, Conde Nast Traveler, and The New Yorker. Jason is also an author of science education books, and his imagery has appeared on everything from environmental campaigns to Hollywood blockbusters.

Jason is an Ambassador for both Sustainability Victoria and Tourism Australia, a Friend of the Australia Museum, and a coveted keynote speaker. Drawing upon his skills as an environmentalist, animal scientist, documentarian and National Geographic stalwart, Jason is an entertaining and insightful raconteur, championing natural history and the art of photography. He was the host of Snap Happy, the Photography Show, which aired nationally across Australia.

My philosophy is to faithfully capture my subject in-camera, which produces a natural, clean, precise and consistent look. I believe that natural history & documentary photography are best served by the motto, 'less is more'.

The Conservation Photographers is an organisation that utilises the power of photography to educate and inspire people globally about conservation issues. Jason is an Associate Fellow, using his lens to narrate and highlight issues affecting wildlife, the environment and indigenous communities. Jason holds an Honours Degree in the Bachelor of Applied Science in Scientific Photography and tertiary qualifications in the Animal Sciences.

Jason's accolades within the photographic industry stretch over 25 years and include among others; two times winner of the Eureka Prize for Science Photography, three times winner of Communications Art Photography Annual, two times winner of the ProMax Golden Muse, POYi Pictures of the Year International, the Australian Geographic Society Pursuit of Excellence Award, and he was honoured as one of the world’s ‘100 Photography Heroes’ by Professional Photographer Magazine, London.

Awards

A selection of the Awards presented to Jason’s imagery.

	Award of Excellence for Science & Natural History. 72nd Pictures of the Year International 2015.
	Award of Excellence and Finalist 2011, 2013, 2018, 2019, 2020 & 2021. Communication Arts Photography Annual.
	National Geographic "Where Ships and Workers go to Die" Visa Pour L'Image Photojournalism Festival, Perpignan France 2003,
	Magnum Photos Judges Favourite Award 2006 & Winner Endangered Planet 2019. Travel Photographer of the year.
	Science Photography Winner 2011 & 2012 and Highly Commended, 2008. New Scientist Eureka Prize
	International Photography Awards 2012 & 2013 Lucie Foundation
	PromaxBDA International Awards 2012 & 2013 ProMaxBDA
	World's top 100 Photography Heroes - Professional Photographer Magazine

Exhibitions

A selection of the Group and solo exhibitions that have featured Jason’s imagery.

• Visa Pour L’Image Photojournalism Festival, Perpignan France
• Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, Paris
• CCP, Centre for Contemporary Photography, Melbourne
• Australian Centre for the Moving Image, Melbourne
• Cradle Mountain Wilderness Gallery, Tasmania
• National Geographic, Washington DC
• Annenberg Space for Photography, Los Angeles
• Australian Museum, Sydney
• American Museum of Natural History, New York
• Zoos Victoria, Melbourne

On Assignment

Africa. Airforce floodwater patrols in remote mountains.

Madagascar.Rehabilitating endangered Lemurs rescued from poachers.

Antarctica. Documenting climate change on the Ross Ice Shelf.

Greenland. Too much gear, I need a tractor.

Iran. Immersed in the wonders of Persian architecture.

Oman. Capturing the shifting light on sand dunes at sunset.

Amazon

Working with Anaconda in the Amazon Basin.

Tanzania. Field camp whilst documenting hunter gatherers in the Yaeda Valley.

Peru. Rescuing Jaguar from the illegal wildlife trade.

National Geographic HQ. Excitedly joining the team at National Geographic.

Australia. Documenting endangered animals from a tree hide.

My original studio. Lightbox, loupe and potential!

Namibia. My first commissioned international magazine assignment.

Melbourne. My time as a zookeeper working with Snow Leopards.

High School. Where it all began, shooting my friends.