Reilly Fallon | Scuba instructor | Underwater Photographer | USA | Indonesia
Reilly was born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Far from the ocean, in the middle of the continental United States, Reilly found his passion for marine life early on catching frogs, turtles, snakes, and fish as a young kid, but it wasn't until Reilly was around the age of 7 that he got introduced to the ocean.
Living in Manzanillo, Mexico, for some time, Reilly vividly remembers the excitement he’d get as the fisherman pulled in their nets from the sea. He would run to go help pull in the nets, and they would show him how to release all the unwanted bycatch back into the sea. Seeing all this marine life at a young age peaked a huge interest at his core. All the variation in fish size, shape, colors, compared to the dull colors of freshwater fish in the Midwest, Reilly says was simply mind blowing.
As soon as he could, Reilly got his Junior PADI Open Water Certification and started diving at the age of 12. Once he was able to see marine life, natural and undisturbed, he was hooked! After completing his course, Reilly’s father gifted him a coffee table book, full of underwater photos from Indonesia. It planted a seed in Reilly’s head that he didn't realise was growing the whole time. It wasn't until much later, studying abroad in Australia during his Junior year of college, he had a magical moment with a Manta Ray off of Lady Elliot Island. A Manta Ray came to a cleaning station where he was diving. Watching it float above him, undisturbed by the diver’s presence, getting cleaned, Reilly had an epiphany. This is what he wanted to do! Reilly wanted to become a Dive Professional, to spend as much time in the ocean as he could. Seeing the impacts of coral bleaching events and industrial fishing, Reilly felt like it was now or never. Instead of returning home, Reilly ended up staying the summer in Australia, where he interned at the Australian Marine Conservation Society.
After graduating with a degree in Psychology from Lewis and Clark College, Reilly went to the British Virgin Islands to do his Divemasters. However, he always wanted to end up living in Indonesia, in the heart of the Coral Triangle - the very same place his father had shown him, through a photography book.
Now, years later, Reilly finds himself spending a lot more time in Indonesia, going on to complete his IDC (Scuba Instructor Course) at Nusa Lembongan, a small island next to Bali. Reilly got his first job in Vanuatu, an island nation in the South Pacific, and from there, Reilly made it back to Eastern Indonesia to an island called Alor in East Nusa Tenggara, Timor Indonesia. This is where Reilly was able to mix two of his favourite hobbies, photography and scuba diving!
When did you first start your storytelling journey?
I've been using photography as a medium since I was 14. First with film, developing my own negatives and prints. However, my storytelling journey truly began while studying abroad in Australia in 2016. I used photography to share my experiences on social media.
What are the fondest memories from your upbringing that you feel impacted your life choices and lifestyle today?
Being at my cabin as a kid, waist deep in muck searching for frogs, turtles, snakes, and whatever else I could find. I found peace being alone in nature at a young age, and having these mini adventures, walking the shore of the lake in search of any life. Then, being introduced to the marine life in the seas really shifted my perspective. I realised I knew a lot about the insects, frogs, marine life in the midwest, but nothing about the ocean. I still am seeking this knowledge through surrounding myself with nature on a daily basis.
Instead of physically catching animals as a kid, I now capture the moment using photography. Nature has a story to tell, you just have to be willing to listen.
What path did you choose after leaving school?
I chose to become a Dive Professional. I wanted to spend as much time engulfed in this bizarre world, and the answer to that was becoming a professional scuba diver.
What/who currently inspires you?
People such as Paul Nicklen, Cristina Mittermeier, Alex Mustard, Alex Kydd, and Brooke Pyke. Also my close friends such as Kyle Roepke, Jono Allen, and Zuzu Askin. As well as the two guys who introduced me to underwater photography, Luke Coley and Matthew Anderson.
Are there any books/documentaries that have guided your thinking, and that you'd like to recommend to other ocean lovers?
A short film about the legendary Lonu Break, the first Maldivian National to go diving with the Tiger Sharks in Fuvahmulah. In collaboration with Jono Allen, Kyle Roepke, and Martina Trepczyk. Also, a few project planned this year for Alami Alor Dive Resort.
What would you most like to change in the world/environment today?
Education and experience. What people don't know exist, they can't help protect. Also, how our everyday habits as humans impacts the environments around us, both locally and globally. I firmly believe that if we as humans, feel connected to the natural world, not separated from, would treat every living organism with much more respect.
What legacy do you hope to leave?
I hope to show that even a "midwest boy" like myself can go out and see the world and its natural beauty. That I may inspire a few people to change the way we are brought up to look at this world as being separate from nature. And to respect everything from the Blue Whale down to the smallest critters you can find. I want nature to thrive.
Are there any books/documentaries that have guided your thinking, and that you'd like to recommend to other ocean lovers?
Jago: A Life Underwater
What advice would you give to anyone looking to follow their dreams as an Ocean Storyteller?
Keep trying, it really is a patience game. Immerse yourself with nature as much as possible, where possible. Whether that is a swim in the ocean, or a walk through your local park. Listen to nature, because if you pay close enough attention, there's stories to be told all around. Your experiences make you who you are. Good experiences and bad. So embrace them, be okay with failing or making mistakes along the way, and keep on pushing.
CURRENT/FUTURE PROJECTS
Working with the local governments in Alor to create a MPA in the Alor Archipelago. As well as a short film about the local fisherman "Orang Bubu" who use bamboo woven fishing traps to catch their food. They free dive down to 20m with hand made goggles and no fins to retrieve their bubu's (fish traps). A sustainable practice which has been happening for hundreds of years if not longer and only found in Alor.
INSTAGRAM: @reilly_fallon
WEBSITE: www.reillyfallonphotography.com
