Call of the ocean provides perfect inspiration for photos

Capturing the majestic movements of a whale as it launches out of the water is difficult for any photographer, but for Mark Farrell, the challenge is even greater as he uses a wheelchair.The Hervey Bay resident enviably spends whale watching season from late July until November each year onboard the MV Whalesong, for up to four days a week.

His photographs are used in calendars, postcards and brochures throughout Australia.

“When I was younger my parents owned a Kodak shop, so from the time I was around 10 I was always taking photos,” the now 29-year-old said.

Once he turned 14, Mark’s parents gave him permission to leave school and begin work on a fishing charter boat.

However three weeks after beginning his dream job, Mark was going for a dip in the backyard family pool when a simple jump into the pool led to him sustaining quadriplegia, as the impact of his feet hitting the bottom of the pool broke his neck.

After spending 11 months in the Spinal Unit at Brisbane’s Princess Alexandra Hospital, Mark finally returned home, where he thought he may never be able to take photos again.

But his father Gavin had other ideas.

“Dad said I could either put my camera away for good, or we could work out a way of modifying the camera so I could use it again,” Mark said.

Gavin mounted a tripod to Mark’s wheelchair in a position that was easy for him to reach and allowed him to make the most of his limited hand function.

A lifelong fan of Canon cameras, Mark now uses a Canon Mark III for all of his photography pursuits.

Mark said being on the water and enjoying the antics of the whales of Hervey Bay was admittedly “a good day at the office”.

“Taking a good quality photo of whales at play is difficult for anyone, let alone someone with a physical disability. I enjoy the challenge of constantly trying to capture that one, fantastic image,” Mark said.

As well as his photography work, Mark has also regularly volunteered as a Spinal Education Awareness Team (SEAT) presenter for the past 13 years.

He travels to primary and secondary schools throughout the Fraser Coast region, to share his experience of sustaining a spinal cord injury, with the ultimate aim of inspiring students to practice safe behavior and prevent injuries.

“It’s rewarding to be able to give something back to the community,” Mark said.

“I also tell the students about my passion for photography, because it’s important for young people to realise that just because you use a wheelchair, doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy your favourite hobbies or participate in the community.

“Everything becomes more challenging with a spinal cord injury, but that just makes the rewards sweeter.”

The Spinal Injuries Association was established in 1960 and is the peak body for people with a spinal cord injury in Queensland. For more information, please visit www.spinal.com.au.

Issued 7 May.