I’m Luke, a 21-year-old nature and wildlife photographer and videographer from Delray Beach, Florida. I just got back to USC after an unforgettable semester abroad in Melbourne, Australia, where I explored and documented some of the most incredible ecosystems across Australia, Asia, and New Zealand. My passion for photography started when I was 10, taking pictures of birds in my backyard, and it’s been growing ever since. These days, I’m diving deeper—literally—into underwater photography with new gear that lets me capture the magic of marine life.

Growing up near the ocean, I spent a lot of time snorkeling, diving, and fishing along the Florida coast. Seeing the changes happening to these habitats made me realize how important it is to protect them. Photography became my way to share these places and moments with others, hoping to inspire action. Over the years, I’ve branched out—using drones and a telephoto lens to photograph everything from dolphins in the Bahamas to owls in the Big Cypress National Preserve. Each photo feels like a chance to tell a story about resilience and beauty that needs to be protected.

One of the most unforgettable experiences of my life happened while snorkeling in Byron Bay, Australia. I spent 45 minutes with a humpback whale that was migrating from Antarctica. It swam past, then turned back out of curiosity and stuck around. At one point, it even gently brushed me with its pectoral fin. That moment, staring into its eye, was surreal—it felt like we were connecting on some deeper level. It wasn’t just me and the whale, though. It was the ocean, the light, and everything else coming together in this incredible shared moment. That’s what photography is to me—a collaboration between me, my subject, and the environment.

Back at USC, I’m continuing to bring this perspective into my work, using my lens to share the hidden beauty of the world and encourage people to care about protecting it. Whether it’s underwater shots or landscapes, my goal is to inspire others to connect with the wild and remind them what’s at stake if we don’t act.

Let’s explore the planet together—one frame at a time.