Jake Mason | Scuba Diver | Underwater Photographer | UK | Australia
UK-born adventure & wildlife filmmaker Jake Mason believes in education through exploration by capturing life above and below the ocean’s surface.
Known for his epic drone footage and high-quality images and videos with great attention to detail, Jake hopes that his images will spread awareness to people in and around the ocean, and inspire others that you don’t need to have the most expensive piece of equipment to capture nature.
When did you first start your storytelling journey?
I started my journey in 2015 when I got my first action camera and began sharing my story in 2017 after spending 2 weeks with the Maldives Whale Shark Research Program.
What are the fondest memories from your upbringing that you feel impacted your life choices and lifestyle today?
My childhood was very different to what it is now, I'd say the fondest memories though were travelling with my family and doing a Discover Scuba Dive Course in Tenerife, off the coast of Portugal.
That kickstarted my love for the ocean, and after I began a journey to become a Scuba Instructor. On the side, I was telling my story through my passion for underwater photography on Instagram.
What path did you choose after leaving school?
After finishing high school, my initial plan was to go into a career in cyber security. However, I chose to go and do a gap year instead. In that gap year, I travelled to South America and the Galápagos Islands.
After this, I fell in love with travelling and instead of going to Uni or the alternatives I chose to start work and save up to go travelling and pay for my scuba training, which has taken me to Australia where I finished it in September 2021.
What/who currently inspires you?
In terms of my work, something that inspires me is to make better and better content as I try not to compare to others. But there are countless incredible underwater photographers out there whose work inspires me.
What would you most like to change in the world/environment today?
More awareness of the ocean and the creatures who live in it.
What legacy do you hope to leave?
I hope to spread more awareness of the oceans and create more ocean lovers through my social media, online course, and physically by teaching scuba diving.
What advice would you give to anyone looking to follow their dreams as an Ocean Storyteller?
Just do it. You don't need thousands of dollars worth of kit in order to make it big, I got to 40k using a GoPro hero 5 for 6 years, if I can do it you can too!
What current projects are you working on?
Upcoming is my biggest project to date. I’m an advocate of making the most of what gear you have, for underwater filming I only use a GoPro. And I had the idea to share the knowledge I've taught myself over the last 7 years.
I’m in the final stages of producing an online course which will teach whoever has any type of action camera how to take basic videos to videos like mine, as anyone can do it if I can!
WEBSITE: https://www.creatorslounge.store
INSTAGRAM: @jakemasondiving
