Building culture through powerful storytelling.

Matt Porteous | Founder of Ocean Culture

Underwater scene with various fish swimming, a large shark near the bottom, and a scuba diver in the distance.
A whale's tail rising from the dark ocean depths, with moonlight illuminating the water surface above.
A large school of fish forming a shape like a heart underwater, with a single fish swimming nearby, and sunlight streaming through the water surface.
A whale diving underwater with its tail fluke visible and trail of bubbles.
People perched on tall bamboo poles in the ocean, fishing.
A whale swims underwater in the ocean, with light filtering down from the surface above.
Scuba divers exploring underwater near a large shark and various fish swimming around a sandy ocean floor.
The Princess of Wales The Princess of Wales made her first public appearance before Trooping the Colour, elegantly dressed in a formal blue ensemble, smiling warmly amidst her recent health challenges. Capturing a moment of courage and grace, this
A family of five sitting on a bale of hay in front of a wooden log background, smiling and enjoying time together outdoors.
A woman with brown hair, wearing a red sweater and white blouse, is holding a camera and smiling outdoors with trees and a small wooden structure in the background.
Four women and a baby, all with serious expressions, standing in dark lighting, with traditional clothing and head coverings, in a close-up group portrait.
A woman in an orange blazer and white pants and a man in a dark blazer and beige pants walking on a red carpet toward an airplane with the words 'United Kingdom' on it, lined with uniformed guards holding rifles.
Young girl with large gray eyes wearing a vibrant red and orange floral patterned headscarf, standing outdoors beside a tree trunk.
A man smiling at the camera during a celebration or festival, with colorful powder on his face and clothing, surrounded by others also covered in powder.
Two archaeologists working at a dig site in a dark, dusty environment, with one using a measuring pole and the other examining the ground surrounded by rocks and baskets.
Two hikers climbing a mountain during sunset, silhouetted against the sky with clouds and distant mountains in view.
Two men wearing traditional Middle Eastern clothing, including white embroidered caps, sit on a boat's edge by the water. One man is mending a fishing net, smiling, while the other watches. Background shows boats, buildings, and mountains at sunset.

For over a decade I’ve worked across luxury weddings, global brands and remote coastal communities. That work funded the creation of Ocean Culture — a global ocean storytelling platform built on a simple belief: stories shape culture, and culture drives action.

Ocean Culture
Two young girls and a small boy standing in a narrow alley, under a white umbrella during rain. The girls are smiling, one in a red jacket and the other in a blue jacket, while the boy is looking up. Clothes and bags are hanging and placed around on
A smiling family of two adults and three children sitting together in front of a woodpile. The children are boys and a girl, and the adults are a man and a woman. They are dressed in cozy, casual clothing, with some wearing sweaters and boots, and th
Three women in traditional Indonesian attire with intricate gold accessories and headpieces, standing against a dark background.
A live music performance on stage with a female singer in a long dress raising her arms, a keyboard on the left, a drummer on the right, and band members in the background, with colorful stage lighting and an audience in the dark.
A woman in traditional red and gold attire, with head covered in a matching headscarf, looking downward with hands clasped, against a dark background.
A large whale, likely a sperm whale, swimming in the dark depths of the ocean with the surface visible above.
Person swimming underwater with a large wave and rocks visible in the background.
A woman swimming underwater in a clear body of water with rocks visible at the bottom.
A whale swimming underwater, viewed from beneath, with the ocean surface above.
A woman wearing a black headscarf holding a young girl in a red dress, accompanied by another woman in a patterned headscarf, standing outdoors with large green palm leaves in the background.
A woman in a beige blazer and blue jeans leaning against a large, leafy tree near a pond in a lush park during daytime.
A woman with long brown hair, wearing a gray sweater with a light blue and white checkered shirt underneath, sits on a wooden fence in a park, smiling with greenery and trees in the background.
Underwater scene with various fish swimming in the ocean, including sharks near the bottom.
A man and a woman sitting in a car, enjoying a moment of affection, with a city street and historic buildings in the background.
A woman in a black and gold evening gown walking on a sunny sidewalk lined with palm trees and storefronts, with her hair styled loosely.
Two whales swimming underwater, one larger and one smaller, with the larger whale in front and the smaller whale behind and above, in deep blue water.
surfer ocean culture life matt porteous
A couple in wedding attire dancing inside a large illuminated archway at night.
A modern urban building with metallic turbines and pipes, and a couple in wedding attire holding hands at the bottom of the staircase.
A small helicopter on desert terrain with two people walking nearby under a clear blue sky.
Two men standing under a white wedding arch with sheer fabric, overlooking a sunset view of water and hills, during a wedding celebration.
A couple in wedding attire embracing under an illuminated arch at sunset, Greek flag waving on the right, in a scenic town setting with a church in the background.
Two people walking on a red carpet towards a large airplane with a military escort. The airplane has the words "United Kingdom" on it, and the scene is set with soldiers in uniform holding rifles, forming a ceremonial guard on both sides of the red c
A woman with brown hair smiling and holding a camera outdoors during fall, wearing a red sweater and a white ruffled shirt collar.
A young girl with large, expressive eyes wearing a vibrant red and orange floral patterned headscarf, standing near a tree.
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india matt porteous
A boat with two people, a man and a woman, cruising on a lake during sunset with mountains and a small town in the background.
A person in a wetsuit surfing inside a large ocean wave.
A man with a beard and tattoos is snorkeling in the ocean, wearing a mask and breathing tube, with water splashing around him.
Two scuba divers swimming near the ocean floor with a large fish in the foreground and coral in the background.
A man standing inside the front section of a large jet engine at an aircraft hangar, with the engine showcasing the Rolls-Royce logo on the exterior.
A man with a beard and dark hair stands on a sandy beach with the ocean behind him, holding a white surfboard in his right hand, wearing striped swim shorts and a wristwatch, looking thoughtfully out to the water.
Duchess of Cambridge, price Louis image Matt porteous
A shark swimming underwater near coral with a school of fish in the background.
Prince George 3rd birthday photo matt porteous
Soneva Fushi Maldives image Matt Porteous
Family of five posing outdoors in a park during fall, sitting on a tree trunk with autumn leaves in the background.
A person wearing protective gear carrying a large rock on their shoulder in a volcanic environment with smoke and rugged terrain.
Two archaeologists in protective gear working in a foggy excavation site at night, examining large rocks and artifacts with a flashlight.
A group of indigenous women with elaborate hairstyles and traditional jewelry, engaged in a cultural dance or activity.
A woman in a long, flowing gown with floral patterns stands in a luxurious hallway with dark wood and glass doors, with soft lighting and decorative elements.
A woman in a white dress dancing or posing on a city sidewalk, with an American flag mural in the background. A man is holding a dog on a leash near a fire department entrance.
People participating in a traditional color festival throwing colored powders and liquids during daytime.
Two women in traditional attire, standing outdoors, one holding a young child, with a woman and person in the background.
A man in a navy suit sitting on a red leather sofa with a beige travel bag in front of him. A woman's legs, wearing a white dress and black heels, are visible standing on the sofa behind the man.
Four women and two children standing outdoors in a dry, flat landscape, dressed in colorful clothing and head coverings.
Men working with bricks at a construction site.
A Jeep driving through a narrow slot canyon with high canyon walls on either side, dust rising behind the vehicle, under a bright blue sky.
himba namibia matt porteous
Smiling women and children on a salt farm with salt piles, some sitting on salt, others working in the background.
A male chef sitting on a brown leather armchair in a dimly lit restaurant, wearing a white chef coat and glasses, with a focused expression.
An elderly man dressed in formal attire with a star-spangled bow tie and patriotic cummerbund, standing with hands on hips in front of a display featuring an American flag.
Group of children and young adults sitting and standing along a wooden cart on a dry, sandy landscape with a clear blue sky.
A woman with long dark curly hair wearing a white dress with pink floral embellishments on the shoulders and skirt, standing in front of a decorative black metal screen in a dimly lit indoor setting.
Man in gray blazer holding open notebook with fabric swatches inside, in a dark room with shelves of jars and containers.
A man dressed in a black tuxedo and bow tie standing in a dimly lit room, facing slightly to the right with a serious expression.
Austria stubai high level route matt porteous
Woman in a black, glittery gown with a high slit, standing on pavement against a wall with shadow of tree branches.
A man in a checkered suit with a red tie standing by a window in a room with blue walls. There is a framed picture and a shelf on the wall behind him.
Smiling boy in classroom writing in notebook with two students in the background, stacks of papers, windows, and educational posters on the wall.
Two men in traditional Middle Eastern attire sitting on a boat, one smiling and holding a fishing net, with boats and buildings in the background at sunset.
A woman in a white lace dress and a large fascinator hat smiles while talking to a group of military officers in uniform outside a white building with blue trim.
Four people, including two women in colorful clothing and two men, smiling and standing together under a thatched roof with bananas hanging in the background at a beach or outdoor setting.
A man in military camouflage uniform with arms crossed, standing in a dense jungle with lush green leaves and trees, wearing a black beret.
Four people, including a military personnel and three civilians, walk through a dense jungle with large trees and thick foliage. A large map is displayed on the right side.
Two men standing by the beach with trees and the ocean behind them. One man is holding a glass bottle.
A woman with wet hair leaning over a boat railing at the beach, wearing a yellow dress.
A woman in white lounging on a white sofa in a room with large wooden-framed windows and round mirror decorations on the white textured wall.
An elderly man wearing traditional white attire and a white cap, smiling while standing next to fishing nets on a boat, with a rocky hillside and blue sky in the background.
A woman with braided hair lying on the sandy beach, relaxing near the ocean waves with rocks in the background.
A man with a black hat covered in colorful powder, standing in a crowded area with children and other people in the background, during a celebration or festival.
A man dressed in traditional desert attire standing beside a camels with a pack of supplies in a mountainous desert landscape.
An elderly man with a mustache and glasses stands barefoot in front of a stone hut, holding a curved walking stick, wearing a dark jacket with a yellow collar, shorts, and a black hat, with a small flag on the roof of the hut.
Group of children on the beach watching a person in a yellow shirt lying on a surfboard in the water, with some children laughing and one holding a phone. The sky is clear and blue.
Person surfing underwater beneath a large wave with sandy ocean floor visible.
A white yacht sailing through calm water in a fjord, surrounded by mountains with fog and clouds overhead.
A person underwater, possibly near a wave or water surface, with sunlight filtering through from above.
Surfer on a pink surfboard riding a large ocean wave.
wired magazine matt porteous wave garden
A woman scuba diving underwater near a large whale.
A whale swimming underwater, with part of its tail fin visible as it dives beneath the surface.
A whale swimming underwater with smaller fish nearby.
manta maldives matt porteous
A scuba diver kneeling on the sandy ocean floor near a tiger shark, surrounded by small fish in deep blue water.
A pilot adjusting his cap in front of a large airplane engine.
A woman with a mermaid tail swimming underwater in the ocean.
Woman surfing under a large wave, smiling and lying on her stomach as the wave curls overhead.
A person swimming underwater in the ocean near a rocky shoreline under a partly cloudy sky.
A diver exploring the sunken wreckage of a large airplane underwater.
A young person sitting on a surfboard in the water, viewed from a low angle with the water partially submerged.
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Underwater photo of whales with overlaid text that says 'Everyone has a story worth telling.' Additional text details a portfolio: 'Commercial portfolio 2024.'
A woman with traditional jewelry and clothing holding a child on her hip, standing outdoors in a rural setting with huts and trees in the background.
Photograph of a man with long dark hair and a beard, sitting and smiling, wearing a black T-shirt, with text describing him as an award-winning environmental portrait photographer, emphasizing his journey into photography and connection with people.
A collage of four family photos and a woman holding a camera with a text overlay. The photos show a child with a dog, a woman sitting on a park bench, a family of five sitting in front of stacked firewood, and a woman with a camera outdoors. The text
A man in a suit sitting on a red leather bench with multiple bags on the floor near him, including a beige bag with red, white, and blue stripes, and a woman standing beside him. The background shows a wooden wall. The left side of the image contains
A woman in a pink dress is underwater in a swimming pool, pushing against the window of a washing machine.
A woman swimming underwater in a yellow swimsuit, with rocks visible in the background.
A collage of three images: The top left shows a diver underwater near a shark, the bottom left shows a person on a boat wave from below, and the right features a man standing inside a large aircraft engine at an aviation hangar.
Three women in elegant dresses at a social gathering and a woman swimming underwater viewed through a porthole.
Four underwater photos of a woman swimming and posing underwater, with colorful lighting and bubbles surrounding her.
Left side shows a dynamic abstract scene with splashes of red, orange, and black colors, resembling paint or ink in motion. Right side features a woman dressed in an orange blazer with a deep neckline, large hoop earrings, a large hat with a wide bri
A person dressed in outdoor gear carrying a large rock on their shoulder, with a hazy background of smoke or dust, and a person in the background wearing similar gear. The image has an overlaid quote: 'In the heart of every individual lies a story wa
People working in salt flats, some smiling and others posing for photographs, with a photographer taking pictures on a large wooden salt cart under a clear blue sky.
A group of people, including children and adults, sitting and standing on salt heaps in a salt flat, with a clear sky in the background.
A woman in black hijab and patterned dress holding a young girl in a red dress and headband, standing with another girl in a hijab amidst green plants on the left; on the right, the same woman is grilling fish over an open fire with two men in a rust
A scuba diver wearing a mask and snorkel explores a coral reef with various types of coral and marine plants in clear blue water.
Underwater scene with a large shark, divers, and various smaller fish swimming in the ocean.
Person swimming underwater in the ocean, reaching towards a bright light through clouds and water surface.
A young girl with brown skin and curly hair wearing a red-patterned headscarf, standing next to a white wall.
A split-screen photo showing two boys in different settings. On the left, a boy with dark hair, wearing a jacket and scarf, stands indoors, working on a weaving loom. On the right, a smiling boy in a school uniform sits at a desk in a classroom with
Three girls and a boy standing under an umbrella inside a small, cluttered room with clothes hanging and bags on the floor, during rain.
Underwater scene with a scuba diver on the ocean floor and a large shark swimming above, with some smaller fish visible in the background. Text on the image reads 'Ocean Culture Life. Inspire, Educate, Protect.' and a circular logo with 'Ocean Cultur
A group of diverse young people standing on a beach with sand, holding large bags, with trees and clear sky in the background.
Underwater scene with various fish swimming, including a large shark in the center, in a deep blue ocean with light filtering down from above.
Thank you message overlayed on an underwater photo of whales, with contact information and a quote about storytelling.
Ocean Culture

Ocean Culture
Destination Weddings

Destination Weddings
Brand

Brand
People & Culture

People & Culture

IN ORDER TO INSPIRE CHANGE WE MUST FIRST TELL INSPIRATIONAL STORIES

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