Ocean Eyes: Capturing the Wild with Eddy Price

Eddy Price is an award-winning Australian photographer and passionate environmentalist whose work champions both art and advocacy. With a deep respect for the natural world and a keen eye for storytelling, Eddy uses his lens to illuminate the beauty of wild places and the urgent need to protect them. 

Whether he's documenting the raw power of ocean swells or the fragile ecosystems under threat, Eddy’s photography is rooted in purpose. His work has been featured in galleries, campaigns, and conservation projects across Australia and beyond, helping inspire a new generation of environmental stewards.

Eddy was kind enough to share his path into ocean photography and his goals for the future. 

What was your first memorable encounter with the ocean, and how did it influence your path?
I remember being on vacation with my family in Hawaii when I was 10. The hotel we stayed at had a tropical fish river of sorts and they had a barracuda in there. It was one of the coolest fish I’d ever seen and I was obsessed with watching it. Even more so than going to the waterpark. Probably where my fish obsession started

Can you tell us about the moment or experience that made you realize you wanted to pursue a career or passion related to the ocean?
After a particularly rough 2020, I had moved closer to the ocean and took up swimming at Malabar Pool for my mental health - I found waking up for sunrise and getting laps in was a huge mood lifter. One morning, after Australia Day, the pool had been trashed with garbage strewn around from partiers the previous day. I went home, got trash bags, came back and cleaned the area. After that I started volunteering more for ocean focused initiatives and my passion only deepened.

What was your background before becoming involved in ocean-related work? How did it change your perspective?
My first ocean-based work was with Seabin in Sydney. For a few years I was a data collection volunteer, analysing the contents of a few bins and processing the data for the team. They do amazing work and it was great to be a part of an organisation making a tangible change. In terms of photography, I’ve had the opportunity to work on retreats and documentaries. Capturing the underwater world to share with others and hopefully build their passion is something I’m passionate about.

What inspired you to dedicate your life or career to ocean conservation, exploration, or education?
The ocean is such an important part of our planet that is essential for our survival. Making sure we understand it, respect it, and ultimately love it is a big reason for why I share my underwater photography. I want people to appreciate it like I do, and be aware of the impact we have on it.

What are some of the most rewarding moments you've experienced in your work related to the ocean?
Collecting shells to show a Gloomy Octopus and watch it pick up and choose the ones it liked for its den. Getting separated and alone from a group while looking for Mantas on Lady Elliot island to then have one come and swim around for 10 minutes - and getting to name it as it had never been captured before (named it Sienna after my daughter). Playing literal hide and seek with a seal at narooma. There’s so many! 

What are the biggest challenges facing the ocean today, and how do you hope your work contributes to solving them?
Overfishing is a huge one and one that is hard to address, but awareness is a big part. Most of the time, because we can’t see the issue, we aren’t aware of it so anyone working to bring visibility is doing amazing work. Sea Shepherd in Antarctica documenting the krill harvesting for example is bringing the issue to the forefront. People need to understand that our oceans are becoming increasingly fragile and we have to protect them.

What are your main goals or aspirations for the future in your work or personal journey with the ocean?
Definitely do more documentary work. I made a mini project in Mauritius around sperm whales and the impacts of tourism, but I’d love to go back and film more. I’m planning some other solo projects around the ocean but also working with different brands and companies to tell underwater stories and make more people passionate about it. 

What role do you think storytelling, photography, or media plays in ocean conservation?
Oh it’s a huge part of it, story-telling through different mediums is entrenched in humanity - our entire history is a collection of stories told over generations. I want to be part of that, focused on sharing information and stories from the ocean with others who’ll listen.