Russell Ord

Russell Ord is an international professional photographer, regularly published in many prominent surf publications, he has graced 25 magazine covers and is highly respected for his ability to capture moments that would seem impossible to record. While other photographers shoot from the safety of a boat or ski in the channel, Russell shoots from the water and is described as someone who has taken the art of big wave surf photography to a new level.

From his home town of Margaret River, Western Australia, Russell Ord, steers clear of the crowds.

Instead, he will venture out into secret spots on the rugged WA coast or locations more than 15km offshore in the Southern Ocean, where he is at peace swimming into some of the heaviest waves imaginable.

His shots provide a unique view into the depth of the impact zone.

“The last few years I’ve kind of gone away from capturing every single moment, and now I’m just trying to get that one moment that’s challenging to myself.

“So that means swimming right into the thick of things and seeing what we can do.

“Your whole life revolves around that; what you eat, how you breathe and how you train.”
-Russell Ord

Art Galleries:

Witzig Gallery, N.S.W.
Mukau Gallery, Cowaramup, W.A.
JahRoc Gallery, Margaret River, W.A.

Stock Libraries:

Christian Fletcher Photo Images

Film:

2011 Units Stills Photographer and Promo Poster image – “Drift”
2012 Stills Photographer, Mago Films, “Recipes that Rock”
2013 Surfing stunt double – “Kill me three times”

Events:

Ord Valley Muster
Gourmet Escape, Margaret River
Margaret River Pro
Margaret River Classic

Speaking Engagements:

ABC Radio interviews on various subjects
2012 Public Talk – UWA – WA Underwater Photographic Society, Perth
Margaret River Camera Club
2014 “Shooting from experience”, Photographic workshop at Emergence Creative Festival, 2014!

Awards:

2011 K38 Heavy Water Award Saving Jacob Trette, California, U.S.
Letter from Consulate General of the United States of America
Oakley Big Wave Awards – honored award for rescue efforts, N.S.W.
2012 Top 20 Finalist Nikon Surf Photographer of the Year
ASL Oakley Big Wave Awards – Finalist
Featured Photographer – The Open Photography Competition! AIPP Awards – Illustrative and Weddings
2013 Ion; The Barrel Competition, 1st place
3rd place, International Loupe Awards

Experience:

2008 Ord Photographics, Sitting Room Gallery, Cowaramup
2010 Soggybones Magazine Photo Editor & Mentor – assistance in the build and launch, until 2012/13
2011 Saving Jacob Trette Mavericks, California

Partners:

Surf Aid International – Ambassador
Phase One – Ambassador! Aqua Tech Water Housing – Ambassador
DaFin

Businesses:

Ord Photographic Agency
Elements Margaret River “One Shot”
Nikon Professional Services AIPP

Membership:

Nikon Professional Services
AIPP