Growing up along the east coast of Australia, my life has been shaped by the ocean and our vast wild spaces. Australia is a country of immense natural beauty and what I consider to be some of the most astonishing landscapes on earth. At just six months of age, I was in the water, building trust and a now life-long love and connection to the natural world. I have been fortunate enough to explore my own boundless and alluring backyard, far and wide, as well as many of the world’s remote corners.
I am perpetually moved by the powerful beauty and wonder of the natural world… The world of hiking has, to me, been about reaching new heights, both physically and mentally.
As a travel photographer, hiker, and freediver, I have spent my life and career capturing places that evoke an emotional connection to nature and our place within it; in search of places that inspire both contemplation and awe. I am perpetually moved by the powerful beauty and wonder of the natural world. Through my lens, my intention has always been to capture and create intimate, meaningful stories of the places I visit and the people that make each place remarkable.
Photo by Melissa Findley 
Photo by Melissa Findley 
Photo by Melissa Findley 
Photo by Melissa Findley 
Photo by Melissa Findley
To reach the remote and unique corners of the world, I have travelled by foot, whenever possible and practical. The world of hiking has, to me, been about reaching new heights, both physically and mentally. The incredible vistas and unexpected treasures are icing on the proverbial cake. There is a sense of satisfaction that comes from the achievement of reaching a destination with my own two feet and a camera in hand.
Freediving not only gives the freedom of weightleighness but offers unparalleled clarity of the mind and has incalculably advanced my underwater photography. Immersion in the underwater world feels like returning home to me and provides an entirely different lens to view and capture the world through.
Photography has been a life-long hobby and I am fortunate enough to now call my passion my career. When I think back full circle, it is paramount to everything I am and a guiding force for everything I have ever done. An evolution and extension of sharing the love of the outdoors that I cultivated in my youth. I remember getting my first job and putting all I earned towards the adventures and developing film, only to plaster my walls with tangible moments shared with friends. Fast forward to a full-time job over 20 years later, with the greatest privilege of exploring and travelling the world, capturing moments in our wild spaces. My journey is now shared online, replacing the tangible photo albums with a digital portfolio. But the sentiment is the same — an undeniable connection to nature and immersion as a sensory experience of culture, beauty, and emotion through still imagery.
Mine is a life, on the road, built around rugged adventures and defying a conventional path, pushing my limits to the extreme, with a strong appreciation and connection to the wild.
In a modern, busy world, I am driven by creating art with an impact and with the right intention behind it. Through high-quality imagery and storytelling, I have been able to give back to our wild places. In times of increasing loss of habitat for wildlife, poaching, climate change and other human generated pressures on the planet, it is crucial that I, as a nature and travel photographer, continue to actively participate in the vital protection of our natural world. Raising awareness through social media activism, organization of fundraisers either by fine art print auctions or photography magazines and leading workshops with charitable donations, it is important that in each opportunity I can give back in a tangible manner.
Photo by Melissa Findley 
Photo by Melissa Findley
To say I choose the outdoors might be an understatement. I feel like I have dedicated my life to the natural world. Mine is a life, on the road, built around rugged adventures and defying a conventional path, pushing my limits to the extreme, with a strong appreciation and connection to the wild.
