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 exhibited in Australia and internationally. The project was later self-published as the limited-edition hardcover book Giants, before reaching a wider audience through a paperback edition.

More recently, Jem has expanded his practice into hand-carved stone sculpture. Working directly with marble, he is drawn to the slower, more tactile process of carving, where the character and natural qualities of the stone help shape the finished work. His sculptural practice continues his long-standing interest in allowing each body of work to evolve through observation, material and making, rather than imposing a predetermined outcome.

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 - Premium Paperback - In Stores Now
Giants - Limited Edition Hard Cover

Films: 
Eyre & Sea

Press: 
Parley - In Focus
This Is Colossal
My Modern Met
VICE