Ocean Whispers
Through my photography, I share select moments that have marked me on a deeper level, with the hope that these will inspire in others a deep connection to the natural world and a desire to appreciate and preserve life on our planet.
Gallery
Prints
Fabrice’s photographs are available as fine art prints.
Get in touch to order a print or to license an image.
Awards
3rd Place Winner, Monochrome Photography Awards
One of my most recent successes was to be awarded 3rd Prize in the Nature (Amateur) category of the international Monochrome Photography Awards, for my image ‘Sealy Games’. The image was later featured in the official photo book of the exhibition.
Image caption
“Three Australian sea lions (Neophoca cinerea) play in the shallow waters of Hopkins Island, South Australia. The species is the only endemic pinniped in Australian waters and is currently classified as Endangered due to recent population declines linked to their historical harvest for the fur trade. Each sea lion colony is genetically distinct from neighbouring colonies, meaning these three cheeky individuals are likely related.”
Honorable Mention, Monochrome Photography Awards
What a pleasure to have two of my images receive an Honorable Mention in the Wildlife (Amateur) category of the international Monochrome Photography Awards.
Image captions
Baby Shark: “A juvenile Galapagos shark (Carcharhinus galapagensis) patrols the clear waters around World Heritage listed Lord Howe Island. The species occurs in few locations around the globe, mainly oceanic islands and seamounts where it inhabits rugged reefs with clear waters and convergent currents. Lord Howe Island is the only site in Australia where the species is known to occur.”
Lonesome: “A lone green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) surfaces to take a breath of fresh air in the calm waters of Lady Elliot Island, southern Great Barrier Reef. The species is Endangered globally due to its low natural survival rate and high susceptibility to anthropogenic impacts including fisheries bycatch, boat strikes and ingestion of plastic debris. Marine Protected Areas such as Lady Elliot Island offer critical refuge for these gentle beings.”
Finalist, Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year
I was honoured to be selected as a Finalist in the Monochrome Category of the world-renowned 2019 Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year Awards, for my image ‘Manta Serenade’. The image was later exhibited at the South Australian Museum and the Australian Museum, and featured in the official photo book of the exhibition.
Image caption
“A male manta ray (Mobula alfredi) follows a larger female during a courtship ritual photographed at Ningaloo Reef Marine Park, Western Australia. The species is classified as ‘Vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Mating and birthing locations remain uncertain throughout its range and rarely observed in the wild.”
Honorable Mention, International Monochrome Photography Awards
In 2017 I received an Honorable Mention at the world-renowned Monochrome Awards (International Black & White Photography Competition) for my image ‘Lone Singer’. This recognition marked a significant turn in my artistic vision and expression.
Image caption
“I jump in the water. My first swim in the clear waters of the Kingdom of Tonga. I hear a mesmerising melody. It feels close. It is so inviting. I cannot resist but swim around, searching desperately for the source. The melody gets louder. It is here, somewhere in the blue. I look down and I spot something glowing in the depths. I dive down, 5, 10, 15, 20 metres. There it is, a lone male humpback whale singing his courtship vocalisation. His enthralling serenade is unique, it tells all females in the vicinity where he is from, where he has been, and with a personal ‘chorus’ to showcase his uniqueness. It is now so powerful I can feel it resonating through my entire body. He is facing down in the water column, tail up, projecting his powerful song onto the seafloor to disperse his call as far as he can in hope to find a mate. He is lonely, and in search of his soulmate.”
1 Silver with Distinction and 3 Silver Awards, AIPP Epson New South Wales Professional Photography Awards
I was deeply honoured to have several of my images awarded ‘Silver’ and ‘Silver with Distinction’ at the 2017 Australian Institute of Professional Photography (AIPP) NSW Epson Photography Awards.
As an Emerging Member of the AIPP, entering these professional awards for only the second time, it was particularly moving to hear some of my images discussed at length and appreciated by legendary photographers in the industry.
2 Silver Awards, AIPP Epson Queensland Professional Photography Awards
After joining the Australian Institute of Professional Photography as an Emerging Member in 2015, I was delighted to have two images awarded a Silver Award at the EPSON Queensland Professional Photography Awards, qualifying them for the prestigious Australian Professional Photography Awards. The competition provides professional photographers with a platform to expand their creativity, evaluate their progress against others in the industry, and connect with the community.
Grand Prize Winner, IUCN World Parks Congress ‘SAVED’ Photography Competition
On a crisp winter morning off Lady Elliot Island, I witnessed a magical encounter between a passing 4 m manta ray and a mesmerised diver. This image, ‘Breathless Encounter’, was announced on 15 November 2014 as the winning photograph out of 1,200 submissions to the international SAVED photography competition, held to coincide with the World Parks Congress in Sydney. The competition invited people worldwide to share their experiences and appreciation of the world’s most precious places. I took out the Major Prize of $15,000 with a photograph that raises awareness of the plight of threatened manta rays and the importance of marine sanctuaries.
New Photographer of the Year, Ocean Geographic Pictures of the Year
2013 was a stepping stone for my photography. When my image was awarded the Merit of Excellence Award for Novice Photographer in Ocean Geographic Magazine’s ‘Pictures of the Year’ competition, I realised that anything is possible, and decided to pursue my photography and use my images to raise awareness of the fate of threatened species and critical ecosystems.