Russell Ord is an Australian photographer known for his immersive ocean and surf imagery, shaped by decades spent working at water level. Before photography became his primary focus, Ord’s life revolved around Rugby League, surfing, and service as a firefighter — experiences that continue to inform his calm, disciplined approach to risk, patience, and presence.

Taking photography seriously in the early 2000s, Ord quickly gained recognition for his ability to capture the raw energy and subtle detail of the ocean from within it. His work is defined not by spectacle alone, but by proximity — an ongoing commitment to understanding the sea through repetition, observation, and time.

Ord’s photography has been widely published in leading titles including The Surfer’s Journal, Tracks, and Australian Surfing Life, and he has received multiple awards throughout his career. One of his most significant bodies of work documents the powerful Western Australian reef break known as The Right, which became the focus of the documentary One Shot — a project that marked a turning point in how heavy-water surfing was seen and understood.

Alongside his photographic practice, Ord has collaborated with environmental and humanitarian organisations including the Surfrider Foundation and SurfAid, supporting initiatives that strengthen coastal communities and ocean stewardship.

Today, Russell’s work extends beyond image-making alone. Together with his wife Catherine, he co-founded the Desert Light Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to providing photography education, mentoring, and creative pathways for young people facing geographic, financial, social, and health disadvantage. This work reflects a broader commitment to using photography as a tool for connection, learning, and long-term impact.

Russell Ord lives and works in Margaret River, Western Australia, where the Ocean continues to shape both his imagery and his way of seeing.

VIDEO LINKS: One Shot Documentary / Project Real - FujiFilm