Ep 183: Matt Draper

Summary: <p class="m_-1009470552799613937gmail-p1">Matt Draper is an Australian photographer who’s work centers on capturing aquatic animals in their natural patterns of behavior.</p> <p class="m_-1009470552799613937gmail-p2">You can follow him on Instagram at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mattdraperphotography/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">@MattDraperPhotography</a>.</p> <p class="m_-1009470552799613937gmail-p1">I wanted to chat to him not only because I love to scuba dive and I’m fascinated by the ocean and all in it - but also because he’s a man who’s figured out how to get paid to do what he loves to do.</p> <p class="m_-1009470552799613937gmail-p1">If there’s something that you’re incredibly passionate about, and you’d love to make it your career - listen to the path that Matt took to get to where he is.</p> <p class="m_-1009470552799613937gmail-p1">Listen to the steps he took, the back and forth from working to make money for equipment and travel to shoot, to finally taking the leap to going full time.</p> <p class="m_-1009470552799613937gmail-p1">His journey may not be on the same axis as yours, but I’m sure the arc of it will be inspiring.</p> <p class="m_-1009470552799613937gmail-p1">I loved talking to Matt, he’s a great human and he’s completely made me want to get the mask and snorkel on and get wet again.</p> <p class="m_-1009470552799613937gmail-p1">I’ll say this up top: Matt describes free diving experiences and breath-holding concepts that require a lot of training and are highly skilled things to do. Don’t attempt the kind of stuff he’s talking about.</p> <p class="m_-1009470552799613937gmail-p1">Don’t do what I did and hold your breath, then go down to ten metres like I describe here.</p> <p class="m_-1009470552799613937gmail-p1">Apparently that’s a dangerous and stupid thing to do.</p> <p class="m_-1009470552799613937gmail-p1">But do pull a mask and snorkel on, and do go and get wet, do go and have a look at the environment that encompasses more of this planet than the environment we live on and in.</p> <p class="m_-1009470552799613937gmail-p1">I hope you enjoy this conversation that I had over Skype with Matt Draper.</p>