I read ‘‘Die Empty’’ a few years ago to be able to unleash my best work. One of the exercises in the book is to make a list of 5 people that you admire and then identify what they have in common, what qualities intimidate me or inspire me, what did it cause me to aspire to and what did it make me think about my own work.

When I saw the documentary ‘‘Playing with Sharks’’ on the life of Valerie Taylor, a living legend and true pioneer in both underwater filmmaking and shark research. I immediately had to add her to the list.

She was about my age when she started diving, she was 14 and I was 12 when I got my PADI Open Water certification. Valerie also loved the ocean, the feeling and the peace of being underwater. At a time when all mothers wanted their daughters to get married and have children, she wanted other things. She wanted to have her own special life. She was looking for adventure in the underwater world. Valerie also loved being on a boat because it meant freedom. When you get out on the ocean, the whole world is yours. 

She taught herself how to spear and eventually became a champion. She started spearfishing in the 50s, she was a lady slayer and one of the best spearfishing women in the world at the time. She had to be better and stronger than everyone else to make her place in this macho sport. That’s also how she met her husband Ron how was also a spearfishing champion and underwater photographer.

When they stopped spearfishing they decided they would only shoot fish with their cameras and dedicated their lived to conservation and marine life. Together they explored the ocean , making money doing what they loved.

I learned that most of the great environmentalists and conservationists, they all started with hunting. Because they are the only ones who were out, involved in these things, seeing firsthand the impact of what we do out of the water on marine life. Divers, surfers, fisherman and hunters are some of the best ocean advocates I’ve ever met. We want to protect what we love and share it with the rest of the world.

Valerie set the standard by being the first glamorous female to go out and have these dangerous adventures. She was a revelation to me. She was strong and she led the way. A huge piece of what conservation has become today all began with her and little grey nurse sharks in Australia.

No one can do everything and she has clearly done more than her share. But there is cause for hope. And all we have to do is look and Valerie and say “Look. Look what she’s done, why not me?”

Her story made me want to redefine what success looks like for myself and what it means to live a ‘‘good life’’. It made me aspire to do meaningful work that brings value and joy to my life, the people around me and to the world. It made me even more curious about our oceans and the underwater world, about sharks, dolphins and whales. It made me lust for the water even more and for all the wonders it holds. Seeing her on all these adventures made me aspire to travel the world and make the most of my journey, learning how I can do my part towards conservation and sustainability as well.

It made me reflect on my own work and that through my photography I can inspire people, share the wonder and the awe I experience, I can also use my photography to make a difference towards protecting the oceans. I can use my voice to make people aware about various issues related to the oceans and bring positive change.

Valerie has helped me see all the possibilities there are. I still don’t know how to achieve any of them, but I know they exist.  

Here’s to our Oceans and to the beginning of my adventure!