A mama humpback whale, thinking a diver is in distress, tries to lift him up so he can breathe

For underwater photography lovers, Jono Allen’s work isn’t just about taking beautiful ocean pictures—it’s about connecting deeply with some of Earth’s most powerful and gentle creatures.

This Melbourne-born explorer has spent the last eight months traveling to more than ten countries, diving into oceans worldwide to swim alongside whales.

His focus? Capturing their true personalities through underwater photography and sharing moments most people never see.

But Jono’s mission goes beyond photos. His work is grounded in wildlife empathy—the belief that these animals are not just subjects, but sentient beings with feelings.

“I try to capture the feeling and the emotion that they give me to create portraits of their personalities and portray them in the way that I see them in those moments,” he tells PEOPLE. “Not look at them as an animal, but as a living sentient creature and try and express that through my work.”

A whale encounter that changed everything

In 2012, Jono lived in Kenya, helping lead a camp that brought people close to African wildlife.

He worked near hippos and spent his days introducing others to lions, elephants, and rhinos. After two years, he returned to Australia—but something was missing.

He felt disconnected from nature until a friend invited him to swim with whales. He was curious and said yes.

They spent the day searching the ocean until finally, just before sunset, a mother and calf humpback whale appeared beside their boat.

Jono dove in. What happened next changed his life forever.

“It just rises up and just takes this massive breath, and I just start bawling my eyes out… And from that moment onwards, I knew that I wanted to spend every single life minute that I had swimming with whales in the ocean.”

The following month, he booked a trip to Tonga and bought his first underwater camera. It was the beginning of a journey that would lead him across the globe and into the hearts of whales.

Underwater photography that reveals a marine connection

Unlike most marine photographers, Jono doesn’t keep his distance.

He swims close, waits patiently, and builds trust—especially with the playful humpback whale, known for its long fins and curious nature.

When Jono spins underwater with his arms open, the whales respond. It becomes a kind of dance—a shared language in motion.

These moments often lead to incredible whale photography, including his signature eye-to-eye portraits that reveal a sense of connection.

He believes the bond between human and animal can be felt through the camera.

He aims to show people that whales are more than just wildlife—they are emotional, thinking beings that deserve our care and respect.

This deep marine connection drives Allen to keep exploring and sharing his work.

Up-close encounters in the deep

Jono’s underwater adventures have brought unforgettable moments. He recounted a moment that took him completely by surprise and left a lasting impression.

During one swim, a mother humpback whale approached him gently and tried to lift him out of the water using her rostrum to ‘help him breathe’. 

He believes the mama whale’s behavior mirrored how she would care for her own calf. “Newborn calves can’t swim on their own, so mothers lift them to the surface to breathe,” he explains.

He knew she thought he needed help—but he also learned not to let her continue, out of respect for her safety.

Other times, the encounters have been more intense.

While diving in the Maldives, a tiger shark swam directly toward him. Allen stayed calm and gently redirected it with his hand.

It wasn’t the first time he had close contact with wild animals—and it likely won’t be the last.

Despite the risks, Jono describes whales as peaceful and gentle, even when they are the largest animals in the sea.

Sharing the ocean’s magic through underwater photography

Now, through his company Blue Vagabonds, Allen leads wildlife expeditions worldwide.

From swimming with whales in Tonga to diving with tiger sharks, his trips offer guests a chance to experience ocean life up close.

For Jono, the best part isn’t just taking photos—it’s watching people discover the magic of the underwater world for themselves.

“Seeing that spark ignite in people and a love for the ocean and for wildlife and for that connection… That brings me the most joy.”

His mission is simple: to help others fall in love with the sea, just like he did.

Through underwater photography and storytelling, Jono invites people to care more deeply about the world beneath the waves—and to protect it for future generations.

Here’s Jono Allen and his friends in one of their life-changing water photography adventures in Tonga:

If you want to follow Juno Allen’s undersea adventure, follow him on his Instagram page.