The Schapelle Corby Nightmare

It was meant to be a Bali holiday: a two-week break to a tropical paradise to celebrate a sister’s birthday. But for Schapelle Corby it ended up a never ending nightmare. Arrested at Denpasar airport in 2004 after marijuana was found in her board bag, she had become the victim of every traveler’s darkest fear. She was forced to face the consequences of a crime in a country where the penalties for drug smuggling are barbaric. Her trial became a major worldwide news story. She was sentenced to 20 years in an Indonesian jail. Her appeals were dismissed and currently she is still in Kerobokan Jail, awaiting a possible early release.

Press & Newspaper Coverage

I’ve been shooting professionally for almost 30 years. In this time, I have been assigned to shoot news stories, portraits and photo essays for newspapers, magazines and websites worldwide. Images for Getty Images (The world’s foremost International picture agency) and the Worldwide Media at large.

Michelle Leslie.

Contracted to shoot the exclusive images of Australian Michelle Leslie in jail after her arrest for drugs charges in Bali. These images were set apart from all others as I was given the opportunity to shoot her face, her unveiling from her burqa-style Islamic outfit covering her body
from head to toe.

Bali Bombings- Jimbaran

The Jimbaran Bay I know is a mellow, out of the way spot where kids play soccer on the beach, tourists stroll and seafood lovers go to get great seafood and experience the world famous sunset. Jimbaran Bay is a beautiful spot, but those who know Bali were shocked and saddened to hear that Jimbaran Bay was one of the places targeted by terrorists.

I was at home nearby when the bombs went off and was on the beach minutes after the explosions. I photographed the scene, as people lay dead, others were dying and my friends, the local Balinese and tourists pitched in to comfort the injured and do what they could to help while onlookers screamed “there’s more bombs”.

Sadly these images needed to be recorded to show the world why we need peace. They were featured on Getty Images and seen around the world.

The Bali 9

The Bali Nine is the name given to a group of nine Australians arrested on 17 April 2005, in Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia, in a plan to smuggle 8.3 kg (18 lb) of heroin valued at approximately A$4 million from Indonesia to Australia. Andrew Chan, Si Yi Chen, Michael Czugaj, Renae Lawrence, Tan Duc Thanh Nguyen, Matthew Norman, Scott Rush, Martin Stephens and Myuran Sukumaran, all aged between 18 and 28 at the time of their arrests, faced the death penalty or life in prison if convicted. The group ringleaders, Chan and Sukumaran are currently on Death Row in Kerobokan Prison. This story is the biggest, most compelling and an unforgettable chapter in Australia’s history of drug running through Asia.

The 2004 Aceh Tsunami.

The Indian Ocean earthquake was an undersea mega thrust earthquake that occurred on Sunday, 26 December 2004, with an epicenter off the west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. With a magnitude of Mw 9.1–9.3, it is the third largest earthquake ever recorded on a seismograph. The quake itself is known in the scientific community as the Sumatra–Andaman earthquake, resulted in a tsunami that killed 230,000 people.

I went with an emergency response team for SurfAid International into Nias in the days following this tragedy and then onto Aceh for 5 weeks helping volunteer with “Island Aid and Operation Blessing International” shooting images and handing out aid and supplies.

Bali: Island of Peace, Morning of The World, Island of the Gods, Island of Hinduism…

Daily life on Bali is culturally linked to satisfying and appeasing the gods, spirits and demons in the midst of breathtaking panoramas of cultivated rice terraces, impressive volcanoes and pristine beaches.

Bali is a land that seems to have a magnet at its very heart. It is a feeling that is difficult to understand unless experienced but once visited you are surely compelled to come back and you may even want to stay forever, such is its pull. Maybe its Bali’s beauty, maybe the friendly people, or maybe even the influence from spirits that certainly abides in this place.
This truly beautiful tropical island inhabited by a remarkably artistic people who have created a dynamic society with unique arts and dramatic, mystical’s and colourful ceremonies. The Balinese are noted for their traditional dance and the distinctive music of the gamelan.

Orangutans of Borneo

October 2013: My journey to discover the last people of the forest, the Orangutan of Kalimantan- the Bornean Orangutan.

I photographed both wild and rehabilitated orangutan in the jungle and at the feeding stations, with the highlight of the trip was shooting in the now world famous Camp Leakey and was able to get close to the orangutan with the aid of a guide and the local rangers.

The jungle is still there (but shrinking by the day due to palm oil plantations) it was an amazing experience, one of my best trips ever made. Save the people of the jungle and say no to palm oil!

Searching in Indo with 3X World champion Mick Fanning

Early in the Indo season I accompanied Aussie Mick Fanning on a mission for Red Bull to Lakey Peak, Sumbawa, Indonesia. Mick wasn’t searching for priority in a contest here. He was with two of the hottest young Aussie groms — Mikey Wright and Luke Hynd chasing pumping surf to set himself up for a shot at the 2013 world title that he would go onto win in Hawaii in Dec, 2103 Here’s some images of Mick Fanning at his technical best and free to do and go where he wanted on a wave. No contest vest!

Kelly and Friends: Five days in Bali

For five days last summer, I worked with Kelly Slater and a bunch of friends. After the inaugural Oakley Bali Pro 2013, Kelly stayed on in Bali and scored pumping waves all over the island with good Indo mates Rizal Tanjung and Marlon Gerber along with old friends Clint Kimmins and Ross Williams. Crossing paths and sharing waves with young Aussie Jack Robinson and WCT boys Taj Burrow, Ace Buchan and Yadin Nicol for the session of the year at one of Bali’s mythical waves.On another day scoring surf from a jakung (local fishing boat) from dawn till dusk surfing the Bukit Peninsula-Uluwatu, Padang Padang and Airport rights the only way to beat the traffic problems in Bali theses days!