FRANCK GAZZOLA

Franck Gazzola is a Professional Nikon Photographer specialised in Adventure, Travel, Lifestyle documentary. French born Australia based, his specialty revolves around the outdoors, from deep underwater to aerial photography (drone & helicopter), and of course topside.

From 70 meters below surface, under the sea ice, at the surface where the waves break, or up to 6’000 meters altitude, he finds fulfilment in shooting in tricky conditions to bring back images from the roads less travelled or angles less often seen.

Self-taught, he discovered the Art of Photography in his teenage years in the dark room. Only years later, after travelling the world during a successful Corporate career, he picked up a camera again. Quickly, his passion became his full-time career, but more importantly he found a great sense of purpose in documenting stories.

Franck is currently in charge of the imagery & the documentary/editorial photography for the ''Under The Pole III'' expedition, an innovative underwater expedition going around the globe from pole to pole from 2017 to 2021. Although the past expeditions were focused on the Arctic and brought the Under The Pole team international recognition for their expertise in polar diving, the current expedition is worldwide.

Franck is also a public speaker (English/French) who shares his experience, passion and on-field stories not only about his Photography but also about the radical changes he went through swapping his suit & tie for a camera backpack, hiking shoes and diving tanks.

When Franck is not onboard an expedition ship, he spends most of his time in Byron Bay, Australia shooting international Advertising/Commercial/Documentary assignments, as well as managing the Frothers Gallery, specialised in Ocean imagery from around the world (founded in Bondi Beach, Australia).

Franck Gazzola is also the Director of Creative Frame of Mind Pty Ltd, a creative & story-telling agency (stills and motion) in underwater, topside and aerial.

His international editorial publications include GEO, National Geographic, RedBulletin, Ocean Geographic, Sydney Morning Herald, Le Figaro, L’Équipe, Le Journal du Dimanche, Hörzu, La Tribune de Genève, Sunday Telegraph, Qantas and Air Tahiti Nui in-flight magazines…

Selected clients

ROLEX | FRANCE TELEVISIONS STUDIOS | ARTE | VISA | AZZARO | THALES | BAUME & MERCIER | PANERAI | ULYSSE NARDIN | GREGORY JEWELLERS | BREITLING | UNILEVER | CALIPRESS | UPSTATE | WATSSUP | THE STARLIGHT FOUNDATION | A HOUSE WITH NO STEPS | IRON FISH | SAAS & BIDE | SYDNEY SAILING EXPERIENCE

TV Documentaries

> ‘‘Diving into the Abyss’’

• Role: Underwater Director of Photography

• Broadcaster: FRANCE TELEVISIONS

• 2023 - Directed by David Geoffrion

• Production: France Televisions Studio

> ‘‘The giant oceanic manta rays of Ecuador’’

• Role: Underwater Director of Photography

• Broadcaster: FRANCE TELEVISIONS

• 2023 - Directed by David Geoffrion

• Production: France Televisions Studio

> ‘‘Emma Camp: finding the resilient corals to save the Reef’’

• Role: Underwater Director of Photography | Drone

• Broadcaster: FRANCE TELEVISIONS

• 2023 - Directed by Sophie Morand

• Production: France Televisions Studio

> ‘‘Kath Walker: the voice of an indigenous poetess’’

• Role: Director of Photography | Drone | Sound

• Broadcaster: ARTE

• Show: Invitation au Voyage (Travel Invitation)

• 2023 - 14min - Directed by Anissa Herrou | Production: Elephant

> ‘‘The Sea Rangers of the Great Barrier Reef’’

• Role: Director of Photography (including underwater) | Drone | Sound

• Broadcaster: ARTE

• Show: Invitation au Voyage (Travel Invitation)

• 2023 - Directed by Anissa Herrou | Production: Elephant

> ‘‘Koala Rescue’’

• Role: Director of Photography | Drone | Sound

• Broadcaster: ARTE

• 2023 - Directed by Anissa Herrou

• Production: Elephant

> ‘‘The world of Nemo’’

• Role: Director of Photography (including underwater) | Drone | Sound

• Broadcaster: ARTE

• 2023 - Directed by Anissa Herrou

• Production: Elephant

> ‘‘The story of Narcisse Pelletier: the white Aboriginal’’

• Director of Photography | Drone | Sound

• Broadcaster: ARTE

• 2023 - Directed by Anissa Herrou

• Production: Elephant

Motion Features

> ‘‘Polar Immersions’’

• Role: Additional drone | Stills photography

• 2015 - 52min - Directed by Pierre Belet

• Production: Zed Films

> ‘‘Deep sea corals of Polynesia’’

• Role: Additional underwater footage | Drone | Stills photography

• 2019 - 52min - Directed by Vincent Perazzio

• Production: Zed Films

> ‘‘Capsule’’

• Role: Additional underwater footage

• 2020 - 52min - Directed by Vincent Perazzio

• Production: Zed Films

Photography Awards

> 2020 ‘‘Top 10’’ and ‘‘Top 20’’ in the category ‘‘Animals’’ of the black&white competition Mono Awards 2020

> 2020 '‘Finalist’’ in Stories by the Australian Photography Awards

> 2020 ‘‘2nd Prize of the 7th United Nations World Oceans Day Photo Contest’’ by the United Nations in the ‘‘Science in action’’ category

> 2020 ‘‘3rd Prize of the 7th United Nations World Oceans Day Photo Contest’’ by the United Nations in the ‘‘Innovation for a sustainable ocean’’ category

> 2019 ‘‘Highly Commended’’ Australasia’s emerging Photographer by Capture Magazine in the Documentary/Photojournalism category

> 2019 ‘‘Highly Commended’’ Australasia’s emerging Photographer by Capture Magazine in the Travel category

> 2019 ‘‘Highly Commended’’ Australasia’s emerging Photographer by Capture Magazine in the Landscape category

> 2018 ‘‘Top 10’’ Australasia’s emerging Photographer by Capture Magazine in the Documentary/Photojournalism category

> 2018 ‘‘Highly Commended’’ Australasia’s emerging Photographer by Capture Magazine in the Wedding category

Diving qualifications

> JJCCR Rebreather Mixed Gaz Diluent Diver (TDI)

> JJCCR Rebreather Air Diluent Decompression Diver (TDI)

> Advanced Nitrox diver (TDI)

> Rec.3 Trimix Open Circuit (GUE)

> Advanced Open Water Diver (PADI)

> Specialty Diver - Ice Diver (PADI)

> Specialty Diver - Dry Suit Diver (PADI)

> Niveau 4 - Autonomous Diver -60m (CMAS *** / FFESSM)