Stephen Larder | Artist | Underwater Photographer | Australia
Stephen is originally from the Gold Coast in Australia, but now is residing on the beautiful Sunshine Coast.
From capturing special freediving moments and marine life to raising awareness of whales getting entangled in shark nets, Stephen’s photography shows the emotion and beauty of the ocean, but also the ugliness of poor decisions made by humans.
When did you first start your storytelling journey?
I started my journey in 2013 when I moved to Thailand to begin a diving career. I was instantly hooked and just after 7 dives when I had my first encounter with a whale shark I thought to myself, "Yup, this is exactly what I want to be doing for the rest of my life!"
What are the fondest memories from your upbringing that you feel impacted your life choices and lifestyle today?
I always look back on growing up doing nippies (surf life-saving) as a kid. What it taught me about the ocean and what I still use today surfing and diving. The ocean can be beautiful in the morning and then get angry and violent by the afternoon. The ocean never terrifies me, even when it's angry, it just gives me a much deeper respect for it. I believe I can put that down to spending so much time in the ocean as a young kid.
What path did you choose after leaving school?
I did a plumbing apprenticeship and then once I had that under my belt I moved to Thailand and started my diving career.
What/who currently inspires you?
I am inspired by my daughter Stella. Inspired by her to continue to dive and film & photograph ocean wildlife in the hope that by doing that she'll be able to experience the same beautiful creatures that I have seen.
What would you most like to change in the world/environment today?
I'd love to see the removal of the shark nets and baited drum lines along Australian beaches that entangle humpback whales and other marine animals. These outdated control measures have been proven to be ineffective and still are being used to provide humans with a false sense of safety.
I recently witnessed out the front of my local beach a mother and calf both caught helpless in the nets. The mother was doing everything it could to try lift up the baby so it could breathe. It was the most heartbreaking thing to witness.
Are there any books/documentaries that have guided your thinking, and that you'd like to recommend to other ocean lovers?
I could name all the classics, but one of the biggest influences for me was a documentary about commercial fishing trawlers. It gave one of those sick to the stomach feelings when I watched it and showcases just how much humans are destroying the ocean.
What legacy do you hope to leave?
I hope to teach my kids to learn, respect, and love the ocean like I have and will continue to do.
What advice would you give to anyone looking to follow their dreams as an Ocean Storyteller?
Everyone has a voice worth hearing and a story worth telling.
What current projects/stories are you working on?
I’m currently working on a film project from a recent trip I was on at Lady Elliot Island on the southern Great Barrier Reef with The Pressure Project.
INSTAGRAM: @slards
