Will Nolan | Underwater Photographer & Videographer | Freediver | Divemaster | Australia
Will Nolan is a freediver & underwater photographer originally from the UK. Will began his ocean journey shooting surf in his teenage years and now specialises in taking epic underwater photos and videos.
In 2022, Will moved to Coral Bay, Western Australia to pursue his dream of capturing wildlife moments on Ningaloo Reef in a single breath.
When did you first start your storytelling journey?
I grew up bodyboarding in Wales and was in the (very!) cold water all year round. At some point, at age 15, one of my friends, Lee Macgregor, bought a housing and we used to take turns behind the lens. This is where it started for me.
What are the fondest memories from your upbringing that you feel impacted your life choices and lifestyle today?
Growing up in a tiny village on the coast of Wales with no shop, one pub, three beaches, a few daunting cliff jumps and many reef or beach breaks meant all my time was spent at the beach or in the water.
There were countless solo missions in the freezing cold wearing 5mm neoprene head to toe. I was never one to be drawn to the city lights, instead, it was the saltwater that had my attention.
What path did you choose after leaving school?
I attempted Economics at university but with, at that point, undiagnosed ADHD, concentration at university I found difficult.
After 2 years, I left uni and made my way to Indonesia, The Philippines and from there towards Australia where I have been living since 2010.
What/who currently inspires you?
Shawn Heinrichs
David Attenborough
Bertie Gregory
Are there any books/documentaries that have guided your thinking, and that you'd like to recommend to other ocean lovers?
Tales by Light, Epic Adventures with Bertie Gregory, David Attenborough (any of them), I am particularly looking forward to Frozen Planet 2 which hasn't aired in Australia yet.
What would you most like to change in the world/environment today?
For multinational corporations to be held accountable for the damage they are doing to the planet. As individuals, we can help, but the real impacts are made by these companies.
What legacy do you hope to leave?
I hope to inspire an appreciation for the ocean to those who aren't able to spend as much time in it as I am fortunately able to.
What advice would you give to anyone looking to follow their dreams as an Ocean Storyteller?
Spend as much time in the water as possible to build confidence. Know your limits. Find a dive buddy who loves it as much as you.
What current projects are you working on?
Currently, I'm working on a short film showcasing the beauty, tranquillity, and quiet of the Ningaloo Reef.
Last year I helped on a boat that was aiming to create a Marine Park that stretches from Lord Howe Island, through Elizabeth Reef and up to Middleton Reef off the east coast of Australia. They were tagging sharks to see if the sharks were making the 250km journey between the Ocean Sea Stacks to put an end to longline fishing there.
Unfortunately, I'm not on this boat anymore but I'm crossing my fingers that the data supports their hypothesis.
INSTAGRAM: @willnolanphoto
