Russell Ord is an Australian photographer best known for his striking surf and ocean photography. Ord grew up playing Rugby League, Surfing and working as a firefighter. He began pursuing photography seriously in the early 2000s and quickly made a name for himself with his intense, dramatic images of big-wave surfing and ocean landscapes.

Ord's work is regularly featured in numerous publications, including The Surfer's Journal, Tracks, and Australian Surfing Life, and he has won multiple awards for his photography. He is particularly well known for his willingness to take risks in pursuit of the perfect shot, often putting himself in dangerous situations to capture the power and beauty of the ocean.

He has worked with organizations such as Surfrider Foundation and is an ambassador for SurfAid, helping to improve the health, well-being and resilience of remote communities connected to us through surfing. While he remains a passionate and astute chronicler of the ocean's moods, Today, Russ, along with his wife Catherine, work towards providing education, mentoring and training in photography to young people who otherwise would be limited to having no access due to location, financial, social and health disadvantages through the Desert Light Foundation.

Grounded in real-life experience, proven business success and backed up with a drive for lifelong learning, Catherine continues her operational and producing roles in the creative industry. From a working past in youth work, life coaching and education, Catherine offers an authentic connection for building teams, partnerships and client relationships. Her recent pivot into arts therapy has seen her deepen her knowledge and understanding of the positive impact arts and creativity have on our health and well-being.

Susie pursued a career in Sales and Marketing for some of Perth’s leading Advertising agencies after leaving university. Her ability to build genuine relationships, attention to detail and organisational skills saw her accept a position with Channel 7 and later Xanadu Wines, before leaving the corporate sector to start a family and relocate to the SW of WA.

Together with her husband, she has owned music shops and schools, created an events business and was jointly responsible for The Vast Project, a collaborative arts initiative showcasing songwriters, artists and performers including Paul Dempsey and Bernard Fanning.

Susie’s genuine and deep desire to help people, especially children, lead to founding the not-for-profit organisation, The Boonderu Foundation Ltd, an embedded music, nature and mentoring program for school aged children. As Operations Manager for the last 8 years, her focus has been ensuring the day-to-day administrative compliance and financial success of the Foundation. Her ability to “get things done” has seen the Foundation expand to 16 schools Australia wide.

Nick is a former professional rugby league player and a competitive longboard surfer. He has held positions as a Director in Sport, Education, Education Technology and most recently with the Clontarf Foundation. Nick has now moved into the role as the National Recruitment Manager for the Foundation which sees him responsible for employing staff across the country. Nick has a passion for education, sport and working with Indigenous youth and is highly motivated to make a difference.