Simon Whittaker is an Australian photographer and videographer whose career brings together creativity, calm judgement and a deep understanding of people. Based in Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, he creates natural visual content for businesses, professional teams and community organisations across Australia’s East Coast.
His route into photography was far from ordinary. Before building his creative business, he spent 14 years working as a paramedic. That demanding role taught him how to communicate clearly, remain composed under pressure and notice meaningful human moments. These skills now shape the relaxed and thoughtful style for which his photography is known.
| Bio Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Simon Mark Whittaker |
| Known As | Simon Whittaker |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Profession | Photographer and videographer |
| Former Profession | Paramedic |
| Paramedic Experience | 14 years |
| Business Name | Simon Whittaker Photography |
| Based In | Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, Australia |
| Career Focus | Corporate, commercial and workplace photography |
| Key Services | Headshots, business branding, events and short-form video |
| Business Active Since | 11 December 2009 |
| Relationship Status | Not publicly confirmed |
| Social Media | Active on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn |
Who Is Simon Whittaker?
His full name is Simon Mark Whittaker. He operates Simon Whittaker Photography as an individual business owner in New South Wales. His work focuses on corporate imagery, workplace photography, professional portraits, team sessions, project documentation and short-form video.
Rather than using stiff poses or creating images that feel too formal, he guides clients through each session in a calm way. His goal is to help people look confident without losing their natural personality. This style is especially useful for clients who feel nervous in front of a camera.
His exact date of birth, age and educational history have not been confirmed through reliable sources. Details about his parents, siblings and childhood also remain private. His professional work has therefore become the clearest part of his life story.
Simon Whittaker’s Career Before Photography
Fourteen Years as a Paramedic
Before working as a professional photographer, Whittaker served as a paramedic for 14 years. Paramedics regularly deal with emergencies that require fast decisions, careful observation and strong emotional control. They must support people who may be frightened, injured or distressed while also working closely with other emergency personnel.
This experience gave him skills that later became valuable behind the camera. A photographer must often guide people who feel uncomfortable, recognise small changes in expression and stay focused when a session does not follow the original plan.
His former profession also gave him an understanding of real human behaviour. Emergency scenes are not staged, and the emotions within them cannot be repeated for a second photograph. Learning to observe such situations helped him develop patience and awareness, two qualities that remain central to his creative work.
A Lasting Connection with Emergency Services
Whittaker has continued to work with emergency-service organisations through photography. One important assignment involved documenting Operation Paratus, a large multi-agency mass-casualty simulation led by NSW Ambulance.
The exercise brought together NSW Ambulance, NSW Police Force, Fire and Rescue NSW, the NSW Rural Fire Service, the NSW State Emergency Service and St John Ambulance Australia. It was designed to test how different agencies would work together during a serious incident.
His paramedic experience allowed him to understand the actions taking place within the exercise. Instead of photographing only uniforms, vehicles and equipment, he could recognise key moments involving teamwork, communication, triage and patient care.
This background gave his images an informed viewpoint. He knew where important action might develop and which details would help convey the demands placed on first responders.
The Development of Simon Whittaker Photography
Establishing the Business
Official Australian business records identify the owner as Simon Mark Whittaker. His Australian Business Number became active on 11 December 2009, while the name Simon Whittaker Photography was registered on 11 November 2020.
These dates show that his business activity began well before the current name was formally adopted. His creative career has developed through steady work, growing experience and a clear focus on professional visual communication.
Operating a photography business requires more than technical camera skills. It involves understanding a client’s goals, planning each session, managing equipment, editing images, meeting deadlines and producing content suited to websites, advertising and social media.
Whittaker has built his service around these needs. He works with clients who want images that feel polished while still showing the real personality of their people and organisation.
Serving Coffs Harbour and the East Coast
Simon Whittaker Photography is based in Coffs Harbour and serves clients locally and across the East Coast of Australia. The business works with individuals, companies, teams and organisations that value careful preparation and a relaxed experience.
Coffs Harbour provides a varied setting for this work. The region includes healthcare services, hospitality venues, construction businesses, professional offices, arts organisations and community projects. Each sector requires a different visual approach, allowing him to work across many types of environments.
Simon Whittaker’s Main Photography Services
Business and Corporate Photography
Corporate photography is one of the main areas of his work. Businesses need strong images for websites, marketing materials, staff pages, annual documents and digital campaigns.
A useful corporate photograph must do more than show a person standing in an office. It should communicate confidence, trust and the character of the organisation. Whittaker creates professional images while helping each subject remain relaxed and recognisable.
He also photographs people during their normal work. These images can show employees serving customers, operating equipment, holding meetings or completing practical tasks. Such content gives potential clients a clearer idea of how a business functions.
People and Team Photography
Team photography presents a different challenge. A group image must feel organised, but excessive direction can make everyone look uncomfortable. His calm method helps teams settle into the session while still producing a clean and professional result.
He also creates individual portraits and headshots. These photographs may be used on company websites, professional networking platforms, media releases and promotional materials.
His approach to portrait editing supports authenticity. He favours careful improvements that maintain a person’s natural features rather than changing the face so heavily that the final image no longer feels genuine.
Projects and Everyday Work
Another part of his service involves documenting projects and daily workplace activity. These sessions may take place in offices, healthcare centres, construction sites, workshops, venues or outdoor environments.
Workplace photography gives businesses a bank of original images that can be used throughout the year. It also helps organisations avoid generic stock photographs that do not reflect their real staff, location or services.
Short-Form Video
Alongside still photography, Whittaker creates short-form video for businesses and professional teams. Video can show movement, conversation and workplace activity in ways that a single photograph cannot.
His knowledge of framing, lighting and human expression supports this work. Short videos can be used for introductions, social media posts, service demonstrations and business stories.
A Calm and Carefully Planned Working Style
Preparation Before the Session
Whittaker’s working method begins before he takes a photograph. He speaks with clients about the purpose of the project, where the images will be used, who will view them and what feeling they should create.
This preparation affects important choices such as clothing, location, lighting, background and level of formality. A photograph intended for a professional website may require a different mood from content created for a lively social media campaign.
Planning also helps clients feel more confident. They understand what will happen during the session and why certain images are needed. This reduces stress and gives them more freedom to behave naturally.
Natural Direction Rather Than Stiff Posing
His method does not depend on rushing people or giving constant instructions. He offers enough direction to create a strong composition while allowing genuine expressions to develop.
Small details can make a major difference. A slight change in posture, the position of the hands or the angle of the face can improve an image without making it feel staged.
This balance is important in business photography because the final result must be professional and believable. Clients should look prepared, but they should also look like themselves.
Notable Professional Work
Images Used by ABC News
In April 2022, ABC News used photographs supplied by Simon Whittaker Photography in a feature about musician and composer Manduway Dutton.
The feature covered Dutton’s performance with the Australian String Quartet at the Coffs Harbour Festival of Chamber Music. Whittaker’s images showed the musician playing the didgeridoo and working with members of the quartet.
Their use by a national news organisation reflects his ability to create images with editorial value. News photography must provide clear visual context while respecting the people and cultural subject at the centre of the story.
Work Across Different Industries
His business website includes feedback connected with architecture, hospitality and healthcare. Clients have praised his preparation, understanding of workplace culture and ability to capture both personality and professionalism.
These sectors have very different visual needs. An architect may require clean project images and confident staff portraits, while a hospitality venue may need photographs that communicate atmosphere, service and customer experience.
Working across varied industries requires flexibility. Whittaker adapts his method while keeping the same core aim: creating natural images that serve a clear business purpose.
Social Media Presence
Simon Whittaker maintains an active presence on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn. His content includes completed photographs, behind-the-scenes thoughts, practical advice and discussions about business branding.
He also shares observations about professional headshots, image editing, workplace culture, performance photography and first responders. These posts help explain the decisions behind his work rather than presenting only finished images.
His Instagram activity focuses on photography and short-form video for businesses, while LinkedIn allows him to connect visual storytelling with wider discussions about marketing and professional identity. His Facebook page also serves as a space for sharing recent assignments and community work.
Lesser-Known Facts About Simon Whittaker
One notable fact is that his official business identity uses his full name, Simon Mark Whittaker. His professional brand uses the shorter version that clients recognise.
His Australian Business Number became active in 2009, more than a decade before the Simon Whittaker Photography name was formally registered. This shows that his professional development has taken place over an extended period.
Another distinctive part of his story is the connection between his two careers. Few commercial photographers bring 14 years of paramedic experience to their work. That background gives him valuable insight when photographing healthcare workers, emergency personnel and high-pressure training exercises.
His work also reaches beyond conventional headshots. It includes live performance, cultural events, workplace storytelling, project documentation and video content.
Current Activities
Simon Whittaker continues to operate his photography and videography business from Coffs Harbour. His current services centre on business and corporate imagery, people and teams, workplace projects and short-form video.
Recent professional activity shows continued involvement with local businesses, healthcare organisations, community initiatives and emergency services. His website also confirms that he works with clients throughout the East Coast of Australia.
As organisations depend more heavily on websites and social platforms, authentic visual content has become an important business tool. His combination of technical skill, planning and human understanding places him in a strong position to meet that need.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Simon Whittaker?
Simon Whittaker is an Australian photographer and videographer based in Coffs Harbour, New South Wales. He is known for corporate photography, professional headshots, workplace imagery, events and short-form video.
How old is Simon Whittaker?
Simon Whittaker’s exact age and date of birth have not been publicly confirmed. He keeps most details about his early life private.
What did Simon Whittaker do before photography?
Before becoming a professional photographer, he worked as a paramedic for 14 years. His emergency-service experience helped him develop patience, confidence and strong communication skills.
Is Simon Whittaker married?
Simon Whittaker has not publicly confirmed his marriage or relationship status. He keeps his personal and family life away from his professional work.
What is Simon Whittaker Photography known for?
Simon Whittaker Photography is known for natural business portraits, corporate branding images, workplace photography, event coverage and professional video content for organisations and individuals.
Conclusion
Simon Whittaker has built a distinctive professional journey by transforming skills from emergency care into strengths within photography. His years as a paramedic taught him patience, observation, communication and calm decision-making. These qualities now help him create images that feel confident, honest and human.
Through his work in Coffs Harbour and across the East Coast, he supports businesses, teams and community organisations with photography and video that serve practical purposes. His images document real work, strengthen professional brands and help people feel comfortable in front of the camera.
His career demonstrates that creative success is not based only on equipment or technical knowledge. It also depends on trust, preparation and the ability to recognise meaningful moments. By combining these qualities, Whittaker has established a respected place within Australia’s regional photography community.
