THE PHOTOGRAPHER BEHIND DRIFT
BUILT IN THE WATER.
MADE FOR MORE.
I’m Johnny Matthews a photographer, underwater image-maker and founder of Drift Collective. Years spent working in unpredictable environments taught me to see light differently, move quickly and create when conditions are anything but controlled.
MY STORY ↓
HOW IT STARTED
THE OCEAN TAUGHT ME
HOW TO SEE.
Photography became part of my life in a place where almost nothing stays still — underwater.
Light changes. Subjects move. Conditions shift. You learn to anticipate the moment instead of waiting for everything to be perfect.
Years behind the camera in the water taught me to adapt, work with what the environment gives me and find images in situations I can't completely control.
That approach still shapes everything I create today — from conceptual portraits on land and underwater to commercial photography and visual content for businesses.
E
A DECADE BEHIND THE CAMERA
CONTROL WHAT YOU CAN.
CREATE WITH THE REST.
Ten years of chasing light, adapting to the unexpected, and learning that the strongest images rarely happen exactly as planned.
Life below the surface
For nearly a decade, I’ve worked in the water. Filming and photographing marine life, most often sharks. Building a career as a professional underwater photographer in real conditions. Saltwater, current, shifting light, and long days on the ocean aren’t obstacles to me; they’re where I do my best work. Thriving in the elements has shaped not only my craft, but the way I see.
My journey began producing artwork for local galleries before evolving into larger film productions and commercial environments. Over time, I realized the perspective I’ve developed shaped by years outside and exposed to the elements is uniquely my own. It’s raw. It’s intentional. It’s built on patience and respect for what’s real.
Becoming a father to two daughters changed everything.
For years, I focused on capturing the power and beauty of wild animals. But fatherhood shifted my perspective. I began to see that life itself,the human journey is just as wild, just as fleeting, and far more personal. The quiet moments. The celebrations. The milestones we don’t get back.
Today, I bring the same patience, awareness, and respect I learned in the ocean to photographing people. Whether it’s a brand, a family, or an individual story, I’m drawn to the moments that feel honest and alive. Because in the end, it’s not just about creating art — it’s about preserving the moments that matter most.
Photographer. Diver. Storyteller.
My Approach
I work best in real environments where wind, water, and movement shape the moment. Years spent diving and working offshore taught me how to adapt, anticipate light, and create in conditions that can’t be controlled.
I don’t over-direct or over-produce. I look for authenticity , natural movement, honest expression, the subtle details that make an image feel lived in.
Whether it’s a brand campaign, a portrait session, or time spent underwater, my goal is the same: create work that feels immersive, grounded, and true to the environment it came from.
In a world saturated with highlight reels, I believe authenticity matters more than ever. Through every stage of my work, I’ve focused on staying grounded in what feels real — creating space for thoughtful, lasting imagery shaped by experience, not trends.