Jem Cresswell
Photographer & Director
Based in Sydney, Australia
Available for Commission Worldwide

Commercial Photography & Film

Jem Cresswell is an Australian photographer and filmmaker whose commercial work is defined by collaboration, creativity, and technical precision. A natural people person, Jem thrives on bringing ideas to life, whether that means pushing a concept to its furthest potential or solving complex technical challenges on set. He is renowned for capturing authentic lifestyle moments, evocative portraits, sweeping landscapes, and awe-inspiring underwater imagery. With a devotion to the creative process, a genuine interest in his subjects, and a meticulous eye for composition, Jem has earned the trust of clients and creatives alike, delivering work that resonates both emotionally and visually.


Early Life & Artistic Inspiration

Jem grew up in South Australia, spending much of his youth chasing swells, diving, and camping along the wild coastline of the Great Australian Bight, a place where desert cliffs meet the roaring ocean. This unspoiled environment, alive with unique wildlife, sparked his deep respect for nature and laid the foundations for his creative journey.

From an early age, Jem was drawn to the sense of freedom that came from immersion in the ocean: the immediacy, the clarity, and the way it demanded presence. At 17, he bought his first underwater film camera, opening the door to a lifelong pursuit of capturing the extraordinary world beneath the surface. Photography became his way of sharing that experience, inviting others into moments they might otherwise never see.

In 2014, Jem began his first long-term project, Giants, a five-year endeavour in which he captured more than 11,000 underwater images of humpback whales, one of the ocean’s largest mammals. The project culminated in a series of large-scale black-and-white portraits that reveal human-like qualities of empathy, family, and sentience. The exhibition series was soon followed by the release of the hardcover book Giants, offering an intimate glimpse of these majestic creatures during their annual migration to Tonga.

Since then, Jem has continued to refine his craft, balancing technical mastery with a poetic sensibility. His work has been exhibited internationally, including in Australia, Paris, Kuwait, New York, and China, and remains rooted in his enduring fascination with the natural world and our connection to it.

I’d love to hear from you:
jem@jemcresswell.com
+61 428 851 110

Clients Include: American Express, Qantas, Microsoft, Huawei, Optus, Palmolive, Herbal Essences, Colorbond, Carnival Cruises, P&O Cruises, OPSM, Jurlique, Modibodi, Australian Super, Destination New South Wales, South Australian Tourism Commission, Lindt, Purina, Codan, TFE Hotels, The Crown Casino, The Star Casino and many more.

Books:
Giants - Limited Edition Hard Cover

Films: 
Eyre & Sea

Press: 
This Is Colossal
My Modern Met
VICE