For over a decade Julian has conducted marine invertebrate research from the tropics of Indonesia and Baja California to the shores of Antarctica. Julian has spent thousands of hours diving underwater collecting and photographing new species. He has tracked cephalopods using radio acoustic positioning telemetry, conducted blue and black-water-hangs (hanging under the boat in open-ocean, during the day and night), designed, constructed and deployed specialist light traps for capturing planktonic fauna and spent many months on ocean voyages collecting and studying deep sea life.
Julian has discovered and described new species and genera, reported novel behaviours in octopus and cuttlefish and even described how dolphin master-chefs prepare their cuttlefish meals.
Julian’s cephalopod research has received intense media attention. A recent study describing tool use in octopus was covered by over 500 websites with the story on BBC receiving 1.3 million views in the first days alone. When posted on YouTube, Julian’s footage received over 1 million views in the first weeks and remains amongst the ‘Most Discussed’, ‘Most Viewed’, ‘Top Favorited’ and ‘Top Rated’ Australian Science & Technology stories of all time.
Julian has worked as a freelance cameraman and scientific consultant on over 30 international documentaries shooting stories in diverse locations including Japan, Indonesia and Mexico. Julian’s footage has appeared on all Australian TV channels and featured in documentaries produced by BBC (UK), National Geographic (USA) and NHK (Japan).
Julian is an avid underwater stills photographer with a passion for macro (close-up) photography. Julian took the majority of the underwater images in Museum Victoria’s Marine Life Exhibition and his images feature in marine field guides and publications produced by Museum Victoria.