Life Around the Sea

”““Along Australia’s windswept coastline, photographer Russell Ord has captured the essence of the country’s unique surf culture. In the masterpiece Life Around the Sea, his powerful photographs are combined with Alex Workman’s poignant stories of the people who have shaped their lives around the sea. We at HOOM have delved into a book full of absolutely magical images.”“”“Russell Ord’s photographic odyssey through Australia’s coastal landscape explores this unique culture by portraying the people whose lives pulsate in time with the rhythmic swells of the ocean.”“” - HOOM”““Life Around the Sea is more than a book—it’s a tribute, a meditation, and a love letter to the ocean and the people who live in harmony with its eternal rhythm.”“”“Written by surf journalist Alex Workman and brought vividly to life through the lens of celebrated photographer Russell Ord, Life Around the Sea profiles an extraordinary cast of characters, big wave riders, board shapers, coastal artists, and everyday ocean lovers—whose lives have been forever shaped by the sea.”“”“…the result is an immersive exploration of surf culture that feels intimate, raw, and poetic. From Western Australia’s solitary shaping bays to the vibrant communities of Byron Bay, each page transports the reader through the coastline’s emotional and geographical terrain.”“”“What sets this book apart is its structure—stories and images grouped by region—making the reading experience feel like a visual pilgrimage across the vast and varied Australian seaboard.”“” - Ninu Ninu”““Ord’s full-color and black-and-white photography celebrates the unique lives of surfers who share a strong bond with the ocean, and with each other.”“”“The book includes profiles and stories ranging from professional surfers Tom Carroll and Claire Bevilacqua and Olympic swimmer Shane Gould, to board shapers, photographers, and artists to everyday people of all ages—surf-loving families, mums, grommets, fishermen, and more.”“” - Australian Photography“Life Around the Sea is an odyssey around Australia and an exploration of remarkable individuals who have been transformed by the sea. This book will transport you to coastal villages, hinterland hideaways, remote beaches and solitary bays that form the backdrop to these unique lives. Their personal stories, told by surf writer Alex Workman and captured by Russell Ord’s evocative and breathtaking photography, are a testament to the boundless beauty, mystery and inspiration of the ocean.” - The Guardian“A tapestry of characters and images shaped by the sea – and defining Australian surf culture – is presented in a new book by Alex Workman and Russell Ord.” - Carve Magazine”…beautiful new book…” - Australian Newspaper

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. Russell’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. Russell’s unique talents culminated in his documentation of a violent twist of the Indian Ocean. The hard-won and career-defining image, known simply as “The Right,” was the focal point for his celebrated documentary One Shot.

Alex Workman is a surf journalist from Australia. His love of surfing has taken him around the world covering stories on the world’s best surfers and culture shifters, working for Tracks Magazine and the World Surf League. A published writer and documentary producer, his career has given him access to hang with world champions, shapers, artists and a band of surfing misfits who, like he, have hitched their lives to the rhythm of the waves. He resides in Byron Bay with his young family where he regularly pushes them into waves of their own.