PT Hirschfield chats with award-winning underwater photographer Brett Lobwein about shooting top predators, epic expeditions and conservation efforts.
The Man Behind the Lens: From Software to Sony Advocate
When he is not in the water and above photographing polar bears, leopard seals, orca, humpbacks and minke whales, crocodiles and sharks, Brett Lobwein is a software company manager, owner of an underwater photography equipment business and coordinator of the Underwater Awards Australasia photography competition.
He teaches photography workshops, including the above whale workshops, as a Sony Digital Imaging Advocate: ‘I find these workshops a great way to help people connect with the oceans, hopefully turning a few people into scuba divers’. He is also the ambassador of Isotta’s underwater cameras.
Epic Encounters: Chasing ‘Blanco’ Argentina
In September 2024, Brett organized a small group trip to Argentina’s Valdes Peninsula to photograph and film southern whales in the water: ‘This was done under a very strict filming permit, to make sure the whales have a safe place to give birth and raise their young.’
‘For several days, we had some amazing encounters with these large, curious animals. But actually it was on my first day out on the test without my guests that I met a true white whale, or ‘Blanco’.
‘I was in the water with the mother and the calf for a long time when my team shouted ‘Blanco!’ I jumped to the stars and we walked 800 meters to the white whale.’
‘It was curious, it swam up to me. I managed to snap a few frames before the whale and the other calf I had left behind were right in front of me. It was like they were saying ‘No, you’re our human toy’. I could see the white whale circling behind, but it couldn’t get back to itself.’
A Journey from Simple Beginnings to 1,500 Dives
Brett grew up on the waters of the Port Hacking River in Sutherland Shire. He remembers his first scuba experience – DSD on the Great Barrier Reef – as a very easy start: ‘I had missed most of the short details during the boat trip to the beach, but I was able to try to get the basics. I put my head under the water and loved it, but I realized I didn’t know what I was doing.’
These days Brett is a certified PADI Rescue Diver, having made over 1,500 dives. He owns and operates UW Images, a specialty retailer of underwater equipment including housings, lights and strobes. He enjoys leading tours for divers and non-divers, as well as doing commercial or graphic work.
You will soon see some of my latest work on Season 6 of the BBC’s Deadly 60 TV show. We showcase some of the amazing diving off the coast of NSW, close to my home.’
Pushing the Limits: The Arctic, Antarctica, and Beyond
Brett’s diving life has taken him on trips to Fiji, Indonesia, Maldives, East Timor, Mexico, Cuba, Solomon Islands, Norway and Tonga: ‘I’ve also been lucky enough to work in Arctic and Antarctic waters.’
His passion for photographing leopard seals involved sailing a small moon landing craft in icy waters: ‘I’m delighted with the images I brought home. Although I really wanted to shoot a penguin, so I guess I’ll have to go back and cross another one off the ‘Bucket List’.
At the end of 2025, Brett’s passion takes him completely back to the Great Barrier Reef where he will be the Expedition Photographer for Australian Geographic’s Coral Futures Expedition: ‘We will visit the Forever Reef Bio Bank in Port Douglas, where I am looking forward to photographing some of their 179 different types of coral.’
Australasia Underwater Awards: Inspiring New Talent
Brett says that although ‘over the years I have been lucky enough to win many awards for photography and shooting, I find greater satisfaction in inspiring people to continue their photography journey’.
‘In 2024, I partnered with Dive Photo Guide and Underwater Australasia to create the new Underwater Awards Australasia photo competition.
I am very proud of what we have achieved in the first year, followed by the 2025 competition which awarded $70K in prizes in nine categories.’
‘I wanted to use this platform to showcase what Australian diving has to offer, so we created a dedicated Australian Waters team. As well as partnering with the GO Diving Show in Sydney to deliver the awards ceremony, we also wanted to showcase what Sydney has to offer, hosting a dedicated ‘Sydney’ group.
Grassroots Conservation: The Battle for Our Oceans
In addition to collaborating with underwater photographers, Brett is passionate about helping the general public develop a stronger relationship with the ocean by being inspired to care for it. His wife Sarah-Jo is a full-time carer, very active in the Single Use Plastic area: Together we started SO Shire – Sutherland Shire Sustainable Societies – to promote grass roots, grassroots, local action. Sarah-Jo is really smart and puts in the hours. Together we run monthly beach and community awareness groups.’
The need for hands-on ocean conservation is of great concern to Brett: ‘There are so many pressures that we humans have applied in terms of overfishing, climate change causing ocean warming, biodiversity loss and single-use plastic. As divers, we see these influences firsthand, both at home and across the oceans.
‘Last year when I was working on Lord Howe Island, I saw with my own eyes the southernmost coral reefs in the world darkening, and all the reefs were taken out by urchins because they live well in warm water. It was the first time I cried underwater.’ ‘Now it’s impossible to dive in Sydney without seeing plastic. What worries me most is that many still see the ocean as an endless resource, where we can take whatever we want and throw whatever we want into it.’
Looking Ahead: Travel 2026 and Beyond
His philosophy to affect change is simple: ‘As photographers and underwater photographers, we have a duty to connect more people to the oceans. It will not be the actions of one person that change the world, but together we can influence governments and companies to drive real change. I find you have to accept small awards to stay positive.’
This awareness of the sea level extends to Brett’s ocean-based hobbies: ‘Scuba diving, snorkeling, diving, swimming or walking on the beach, often including cleaning up every day. At the end of last year, we sadly lost our beautiful labrador Charlie, who shared our love for the sea and the beach.’ Brett has several exciting projects and trips lined up, including whale watching in Tonga and leading an exclusive four-person trip to the Galapagos in 2026.
To share his photography, learn more about his travels and underwater photography equipment sales, follow Brett on Instagram and visit: brettlobwein.com or uwimages.com.au
It will not be the actions of one person that change the world, but together we can influence governments and companies to drive real change. I find you really have to accept small awards to keep yourself cool.
FAQs
Who is Brett Lobwein?
Brett Lobwein is an award-winning underwater photographer, PADI Rescue Diver, and owner of UW Images. He is a Sony Digital Imaging Advocate and co-ordinator of the Underwater Australasia Awards, known for his work on top predators and marine conservation.
What camera equipment does Brett Lobwein use for underwater photography?
Brett is an ambassador for Isotta underwater camera housings and a Sony Digital Imaging Advocate. He works hard to use high-end mirrorless equipment with special housings, strobes and lighting distributed through his business, UW Images.
Where are the best places to dive with Brett Lobwein?
Brett leads exclusive photography tours in the world’s top destinations, including Argentina for southern whales, the Galapagos Islands, Tonga for whale watching and the Great Barrier Reef.
What are the Underwater Australasia Awards?
Founded by Brett Lobwein, this competition showcases the best dive sites in the Pacific and Australia. It has features like “Australian Waters” and “Sydney,” which provide valuable prize pools to inspire the next generation of underwater artists.
How is Brett Lobwein involved in ocean conservation?
Alongside his wife Sarah-Jo, Brett founded the “SO Shire” (Sustainable Societies of Sutherland Shire). They focus on grassroots actions such as monthly beach cleanups and public awareness to combat single-use plastics and habitat loss.
This article was originally published in Scuba Diver Magazine
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