MY STORY
I almost shouldn’t be here - twice I have almost died so I feel privileged to tell this story.
The first time I was two years old. My dad has recently finished building his dream home. He was upstairs showing a friend around when he looked out the window. From up high he saw a splash in the pool. That was me - drowning. By the time he got the stairs, out the front door and to the edge of the pool, I was sinking to the bottom. I’d already come up for not one but two breaths. This was it. If he hadn’t seen me, this is where I would have sunk to the bottom and never breathed again. He reached deep into the water, grab me by the head and dragged me out. Safe - for now.
The other time I almost died I was 18.
Following that brush my death, I decided to take drastic action. I left university mid-term and escaped interstate. I got my first job, saved some money and travelled. I fell in love with photography. Exploring across the top end of Australia opened my eyes to the beauty of this country.
I got my first job, saved some money and travelled. I fell in love with photography. Exploring across the top end of Australia opened my eyes to the beauty of this country.
My first serious landscape photography was walking the famous Overland Track in Tasmania. I carried two backpacks on that week-long trip. My big heavy backpack on the back had my tent, sleeping bag and food. On the front I carried my camera bag with my precious photography gear. I relished in the opportunity to document this incredible landscape. The ruggedness, the remoteness and of course the natural beauty left my heart full of desire to see more.
For the next 20-odd years I would follow my passion and dedicate my life to capturing the diverse beauty of Australia. Driven by my desire to showcase the beauty of the landscape, I spent many months of every year creating new photographs for upcoming limited and open edition prints and book projects.
But I make it sound easy. It wasn’t always the amazing adventure I make it out to be. Teaching myself photography was a constant battle. Being a perfectionist, I struggled with making so many mistakes.
Photographs that I thought would be winners turned out to be outright failures. That disappointment almost crippled me. I felt like I wasn’t making any progress. I was devoting my life to pursue my dream yet my art wasn’t getting any better. Even though I had invested a great deal of time and money into photography, many times I felt like giving it away.
Whether it was my stubbornness or my perfectionism, I persisted. Eventually my wins became a little more frequent and I saw progress. YIPPIE! “I could actually do this!” I told myself.
Fast forward 10 years and I wanted more - I wanted to learn more and be a better photographer.
However, I struggled to find anyone teaching photography outside of the traditional education system. I knew I didn’t want to learn in a classroom environment as I learn best by doing. Some said you learn best teaching others. So I started my own landscape photography workshops to teach all the lessons I’d learnt along the way.
That was all the way back in 2005. To pass on my knowledge and have others benefit from these teachings was immensely satisfying. I didn’t want that feeling to end.
To this day, I still travel the world teaching the art of landscape photography to hundreds of people each year.
For 15 years we’ve been taking enthusiastic amateur photographers across the globe to stretch their wings and cross new horizons. Their photographic adventures have taken them though incredible landscapes and richly intriguing cultures. And along the way, they’ve improved their skills, had heaps of fun, and had an incredible life time experience.
May the journey continue…
Tom Putt
Master of Photography
2021 & 2019 International Aerial Photographer of the Year
PS. If you'd like to improve your photography, I'd love the opportunity to teach you what I've learnt over the past 32 years. Click on the button below for information on our upcoming workshops.
Tom is an inspiration for all budding photographers and people who are just trying to develop their skills and eye.
Bernard
We were very lucky to have Tom do a presentation at the Casey Camera Club earlier this year. He was absolutely brilliant as always, with such fantastic and inspiring energy - always a welcomed guest!
Trace
The Photography world is lucky to have someone like him.
Vicki
BIOGRAPHY
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1996
SPORT
World Triathlon Corporation (WTC) Ironman Triathlon World Championships, Hawaii, USA
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1997
SPORT
World Triathlon Corporation (WTC) Ironman Triathlon World Championships, Hawaii, USA
International Triathlon Union (ITU) World Triathlon Championships, Perth, Australia
Australian Ironman Triathlon, New South Wales, Australia
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1997
LANDSCAPE
First Professional Landscape Photoshoot - Overland Track, Tasmania.
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1998
SPORT
Victorian Racing Club (VRC) Melbourne Cup, Australia
FINA Swimming World Championships, Perth, Australia
Australian Ironman Triathlon, New South Wales, Australia
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1999
SPORT
VRC Melbourne Cup, Australia
Australian Ironman Triathlon, New South Wales, Australia
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2000
SPORT
International Olympic Committee Sydney Olympics, Australia
International Paralympic Committee Sydney Paralympics, Australia
Australian Tennis Open, Melbourne, Australia
VRC Melbourne Cup, Australia
Australian Ironman Triathlon, New South Wales, Australia
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2001
SPORT
Official Athletics Australia Photographer, IAAF Athletics World Championships, Edmonton, Canada
Official Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) Photographer, East Asian Games, Osaka, Japan
Australian Tennis Open, Melbourne, Australia
National Rugby League (NRL) Grand Final, Olympic Stadium, Sydney, Australia
Official Photographer, National Basketball League (NBL) Grand Final, Australia
WTC Ironman Triathlon World Championships, Hawaii, USA
ITU World Triathlon Championships, Perth, Australia
Australian Ironman Triathlon, New South Wales, Australia
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2001
LANDSCAPE
Red Centre Photoshoot
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2003
AWARDS
Australian Institute of Professional Photography (AIPP) Australian Photographer of the Year Awards – 4 Silver Awards
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2004
AWARDS
AIPP Australian Photographer of the Year Awards – 1 Silver Award
-
2004
SPORT
UCI World Track Cycling Championships, Melbourne, Australia
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2005
AWARDS
AIPP Australian Photographer of the Year Awards – 2 Silver Awards
BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year Award, Highly Commended
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2006
AWARDS
AIPP Australian Photographer of the Year Awards – 4 Silver Awards
Highest scoring Portrait Print, AIPP Victorian Photographer of the Year Awards (VPPY)
-
2006
PUBLISHED
‘Kids of Bayside’ Book
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2007
AWARDS
Highest scoring print by a Member, AIPP Victorian Photographer of the Year Awards (VPPY)
-
2007
SPORT
Official Panoramic Photographer, AFL Grand Final, Melbourne, Australia
-
2007
PUBLISHED
‘Kids of Bayside’ Book
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2008
JUDGE
AIPP Australian Professional Photography Awards (APPA)
AIPP Western Australia Professional Photography Awards (WAPPA)
AIPP Fuji Breakaway Keynote Speaker, Victoria, Australia
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2008
PUBLISHED
'Kids of Bayside' Book
-
2008
JUDGE
Tasmania Photography Awards (TPPY)
AIPP Australian Professional Photography Awards (APPA)
-
2009
PUBLISHED
‘WOOF’ Book
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2010
JUDGE
International Judge, Epson Pano Awards
International Judge, Landscape 500 competition
AIPP Australian Professional Photography Awards (APPA)
AIPP Victorian Professional Photography Awards (VPPY)
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2010
AWARDS
AIPP Australian Photographer of the Year Awards – 2 Silver Distinctions, 1 Silver Award
Highest Scoring print by an Associate, AIPP Victorian Professional Photography Awards (VPPY)
Runner Up in the Landscape Category, AIPP Victorian Professional Photography Awards (VPPY)
Runner Up in the Illustrative Category, AIPP Victorian Professional Photography Awards (VPPY)
Highest Scoring Print in the Illustrative Category, AIPP Victorian Professional Photography Awards (VPPY)
-
2010
PUBLISHER
‘Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park’ book
‘Routeburn Track’ book
‘Milford Track’ book
'WOOF! 2 Paws & All' book
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2011
JUDGE
AIPP NSW Professional Photography Awards
AIPP Victorian Professional Photography Awards (VPPY)
-
2011
AWARDS
AIPP Victorian Professional Photography Awards – 7 silver awards
Runner Up ‘Travel’ Category, AIPP Victorian Professional Photography Awards
-
2012
PUBLISHED
‘WOOF!4 Dogs Galore’
‘WOOF!5 Ruff n’ Ready’
‘Generations – Their Story’
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2012
JUDGE
International Aperture Awards
International Finalist Judge, Medium Format Art Awards
International Judge, Epson Pano Awards
AIPP Australian Professional Photography Awards (APPA)
-
2013
JUDGE
International Judge, Epson Pano Awards
International Loupe Awards Judge
International Finalist Judge, Medium Format Art Awards
AIPP NSW Professional Photography Awards
AIPP Victorian Professional Photography Awards (VPPY)
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2013
AWARDS
International Photography Awards – 4 Honorable Mentions
AIPP Australian Photographer of the Year Awards – 2 Silver with Distinction Awards and 2 Silver Awards
Awarded AIPP Master of Photography
Capture Magazine Annual – Landscapes
International Loupe Awards – 1 Silver Award and 2 Bronze Awards
International Loupe Awards – 2nd Place, Landscapes, Open Competition
Sixth Sinar Mas Print Awards – Silver Award, ‘WOOF!4 Dogs Galore’
One Eyeland Awards – 1 Bronze Award, Landscapes and Finalist, Fine Art
-
2014
AWARDS
International Landscape Photographer of the Year Runner-up
International Landscape Photograph of the Year Runner-up
Victorian Professional Photography Awards – Gold Award, 3 Silver Awards
International Photography Awards – Honourable Mention
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2015
AWARDS
Epson Pano Awards - 2 Silver Awards, 5 Bronze Awards
ANZANG Nature Photographer of the Year - Landscape finalist
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2016
AWARDS
Epson Pano Awards - 4 Silver Awards, 3 Bronze Awards
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2017
AWARDS
Epson Pano Awards - 3 Silver Awards, 9 Bronze Awards
-
2017
SPEAKER
Keynote Speaker, VAPS Annual Conference, Frankston, Victoria
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2018
AWARDS
International Photography Awards - 2nd Place, Aerial Category
International Landscape Photographer of the Year - Two images in Top 101
Outdoor Photographer of the Year - Winner, 'View from Above' Category
Epson Pano Awards - Second Place, Carolyn Mitcham Award.
Epson Pano Awards - 3 Silver Awards, 6 Bronze Awards
-
2018
SPEAKER
Bright Festival of Photography - Keynote Presenter and Workshop Leader
-
2019
PUBLISHED
'Mornington Peninsula' book
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2019
AWARDS
International Photography Awards - 1st Place, Aerial Category
International Photography Awards - Winner, Nature Category
Australian Photography Awards - 3 Honourable Mentions, Aerial Category
'Birdman' - feature artwork, Art & About Sydney
Black & White Spider Awards - 2nd Place, Nature Category & 2 Honourable Mentions, 4 Nominations
Epson Pano Awards - 1 Gold Award, 3 Silver Awards, 6 Bronze Awards
Focus Awards - 5 Silver Awards
International Landscape Photographer of the Year - Three images in Top 101
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2019
SPEAKER
Bright Festival of Photography - Keynote Presenter and Workshop Leader
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2020
SPEAKER
Bright Festival of Photography - Keynote Presenter and Workshop Leader
-
2020
PUBLISHED
'Mornington Peninsula - Summer Edition' book
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2020
AWARDS
Fine Art Awards - 1st Place, Panoramic Category
Fine Art Awards - 3rd Place, Abstract Category
Epson Pano Awards - 9 Silver Awards, 13 Bronze Awards
Australian Photography Awards - 1st Place, Landscape Category
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2021
AWARDS
International Photography Awards - 1st place, Aerial Category
International Landscape Photographer of the Year - 4 images in Top 101
Epson Pano Awards - 1 Gold Award, 3 Silver Awards, 8 Bronze Awards
-
2021
SPEAKER
Bright Festival of Photography - Keynote Presenter and Workshop Leader
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2022
AWARDS
Wilderness Photographer of the Year - Great Walks magazine
International Landscape Photographer of the Year - 4 images in Top 101
Epson Pano Awards - 2 Silver Awards, 3 Bronze Awards
-
2022
SPEAKER
Bright Festival of Photography - Keynote Presenter and Workshop Leader
-
2022
PUBLISHED
'SNOW - The Snow Landscape of Australia' book
'Cradle Mountain & The Overland Track' book (with Cam Blake)
'Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre from above' book
Want to learn more about Photography?
Click on the button below to see our upcoming workshops
I teach landscape photography because I'm passionate about photography and helping others enjoy this fantastic creative outlet. What could be better than appreciating the outdoors and capturing it in your own special way? I pride myself on doing the best for our clients and having them come back time and time again to enjoy the many adventures we go on together.
Last year (2023), 39 of the 40 participants we had on our workshops had been with us before!
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