For underwater images lovers, Jono Allen’s work isn’t nearly taking lovely ocean photos—it’s about connecting deeply with a few of Earth’s strongest and delicate creatures.
This Melbourne-born explorer has spent the final eight months touring to greater than ten international locations, diving into oceans worldwide to swim alongside whales.
His focus? Capturing their true personalities by way of underwater images and sharing moments most individuals by no means see.
However Jono’s mission goes past photographs. His work is grounded in wildlife empathy—the assumption that these animals should not simply topics, however sentient beings with emotions.
“I attempt to seize the sensation and the emotion that they provide me to create portraits of their personalities and painting them in the best way that I see them in these moments,” he tells PEOPLE. “Not take a look at them as an animal, however as a residing sentient creature and attempt to specific that by way of my work.”
A whale encounter that modified the whole lot
In 2012, Jono lived in Kenya, serving to lead a camp that introduced individuals near African wildlife.
He labored close to hippos and spent his days introducing others to lions, elephants, and rhinos. After two years, he returned to Australia—however one thing was lacking.
He felt disconnected from nature till a good friend invited him to swim with whales. He was curious and stated sure.
They spent the day looking the ocean till lastly, simply earlier than sundown, a mom and calf humpback whale appeared beside their boat.
Jono dove in. What occurred subsequent modified his life endlessly.
“It simply rises up and simply takes this huge breath, and I simply begin bawling my eyes out… And from that second onwards, I knew that I needed to spend each single life minute that I had swimming with whales within the ocean.”
The next month, he booked a visit to Tonga and purchased his first underwater digital camera. It was the start of a journey that may lead him throughout the globe and into the hearts of whales.
Underwater images that reveals a marine connection
In contrast to most marine photographers, Jono doesn’t maintain his distance.
He swims shut, waits patiently, and builds belief—particularly with the playful humpback whale, identified for its lengthy fins and curious nature.
When Jono spins underwater along with his arms open, the whales reply. It turns into a form of dance—a shared language in movement.
These moments usually result in unbelievable whale images, together with his signature eye-to-eye portraits that reveal a way of connection.
He believes the bond between human and animal will be felt by way of the digital camera.
He goals to indicate those that whales are extra than simply wildlife—they’re emotional, considering beings that deserve our care and respect.
This deep marine connection drives Allen to maintain exploring and sharing his work.
Up-close encounters within the deep
Jono’s underwater adventures have introduced unforgettable moments. He recounted a second that took him utterly abruptly and left an enduring impression.
Throughout one swim, a mom humpback whale approached him gently and tried to carry him out of the water utilizing her rostrum to ‘assist him breathe’.
He believes the mama whale’s conduct mirrored how she would look after her personal calf. “New child calves can’t swim on their very own, so moms carry them to the floor to breathe,” he explains.
He knew she thought he wanted assist—however he additionally discovered to not let her proceed, out of respect for her security.
Different occasions, the encounters have been extra intense.
Whereas diving within the Maldives, a tiger shark swam immediately towards him. Allen stayed calm and gently redirected it along with his hand.
It wasn’t the primary time he had shut contact with wild animals—and it seemingly received’t be the final.
Regardless of the dangers, Jono describes whales as peaceable and delicate, even when they’re the most important animals within the sea.
Sharing the ocean’s magic by way of underwater images
Now, by way of his firm Blue Vagabonds, Allen leads wildlife expeditions worldwide.
From swimming with whales in Tonga to diving with tiger sharks, his journeys provide visitors an opportunity to expertise ocean life up shut.
For Jono, the most effective half isn’t simply taking photographs—it’s watching individuals uncover the magic of the underwater world for themselves.
“Seeing that spark ignite in individuals and a love for the ocean and for wildlife and for that connection… That brings me probably the most pleasure.”
His mission is straightforward: to assist others fall in love with the ocean, identical to he did.
By underwater images and storytelling, Jono invitations individuals to care extra deeply concerning the world beneath the waves—and to guard it for future generations.
Right here’s Jono Allen and his pals in considered one of their life-changing water images adventures in Tonga:
If you wish to comply with Juno Allen’s undersea journey, comply with him on his Instagram web page.
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