Diesel mechanic turned ocean diver, swimming with killer whales? You really can’t get more West Australian than that! Meet Jason Austin, a 34-year-old Scarborough local who is capturing the magic of the underwater world one frame at a time.
The Spark
Jason’s journey into photography actually started as a side effect of his love for travel. It all kicked off in his early 20s during a boys’ trip to Thailand. That initial spark turned into a globe-trotting lifestyle that took him to Canada for four years, all over Central and South America, Europe, Fiji, French Polynesia, Mexico, and right across Australia.
Originally armed with just a GoPro or an iPhone, he was always driven to capture the incredible places he visited. Over the last few years, he has channeled that raw passion and put a heavier focus behind the lens to turn his passion into a creative profession.
Why the Ocean?
Jason’s photography has a very clear theme: a deep, magnetic pull to the water. Living right on the beach in Scarborough, the coast and the underwater world are his main focus. You can find him down there every single day if he can manage it, catching a wave or going for a dive.
He started diving around the same time he started travelling at 20. His very first dive was in Honduras, Central America, and he describes it as entering another world entirely. He fell in love with it instantly.
For Jason, the underwater world is a completely different realm to capture. While every place he has dived has its own unique charm, if he had to choose his absolute favourites, they would be Ningaloo Reef right here in WA and swimming with Humpback whales in Tahiti.
The Creative Process
Growing up, Jason was all about sports—rugby was his main game at school. It wasn’t until he started travelling that he realised photography could provide a different kind of outlet. Today, picking up the camera offers a sense of escape; it’s a way to switch off, have fun, and explore his creativity during post-production.
How did he learn his craft? No formal training here! Jason is entirely self-taught, crediting bulk hours on YouTube and endless practice in the water for his skills. He did experiment with underwater portraits for a while, but quickly realised it wasn’t his style. He much prefers the raw, unpredictable beauty of marine life.
Want to Support the Journey?
If you want to bring a little bit of Jason’s ocean magic into your own home, he sells a stunning range of both framed and unframed prints directly through his website and shares his latest work & dives on Instagram – @shot_austo. While you can often find him setting up shop at local community markets like Kingsway, Canningvale, and Elizabeth Quay, he’s currently on the lookout to expand! Jason is actively looking for more local stores and physical spaces to showcase his incredible underwater art.
If you know a space that would be perfect for his work, or if you simply want to lose yourself in some gorgeous coastal vibes, go find him online and say hi!
https://www.jasonaustinphotography.com.au
