about

Shawn is a passionate scuba diver, cinematographer, and marine conservationist, tirelessly committed to protecting the environment he cherishes. As an independent filmmaker and founder of Blue Sphere Media, a production company specializing in underwater and adventure films, he has a unique opportunity to influence our collective mind set and globally fuel the blue movement. His award-winning work has been featured in broadcast, promotional and conservation productions around the world. In addition, he is a published conservation photo journalist. 

Shawn has a special affinity for pelagics including sharks, rays and marine mammals. Much of his work focuses on these threatened creatures, as a film maker and a conservationist. Two key areas of his focus include ending shark finning and establishing marine protected areas. Shawn's fieldwork places him at the heart of endangered species trade, capturing rarely seen footage of these destructive networks. In furtherance of his passion, Shawn serves as the conservation moderator for www.wetpixel.com, the internets leading underwater photo/video forum and is an international advisory board member of WildAid, an organization focused on ending trade in endangered and threatened species, and Shark Savers, a grassroots organization committed to saving sharks through awareness and education.

Shawn is also a seasoned professional that brings deep expertise to the business of conservation. He is a lifelong entrepreneur with over 15 years of professional experience in finance, business development, sales and operations. During his career, he co-founded several successful businesses in the digital media, software and entertainment industries, helping grow an interactive agency he co-founded to achieve "Top 15 Independent Agency" in America. Shawn's entrepreneurial and business networking skills have proved to be an invaluable asset in his conservation and film pursuits. His passion and work take him to the corners of the planet to film and conserve the Ocean's most impressive creatures.

my passion for underwater video

Ever since I was a child, I was fascinated by the mysteries of the deep. From the majestic whales to the tiny pigmy sea-horse, these creatures offered a unique and personal glimpse of a distant world where I could only hope to visit.

I began diving in 1990 while attending university and immediately fell in love with sport. School and a busy work career limited my time underwater until the the late 90’s when I committed myself to rejoining the deep. During this period, I picked up u/w still photography and immediately realized the u/w imagery would become a life long passion for me.

It didn’t take long for the desire to “tell the story” vs. “capture the moment” took hold of me. I invested in a DV u/w video set up and never looked back. My passion has taken me to the corners of the planet in pursuit of wild encounters with some of the oceans most impressive creatures. My focus is on capturing wide angle encounters with large pelagics such as sharks, mantas, game fish and marine mammals.

I shoot exclusively in Full HD. This has opened a whole new world of opportunity and challenge. Nevertheless, the results have been exciting. Here I share the fruits of my passion...a collection of my work from various locations on this amazing blue sphere.