Meet Matt Porteous

The founder of Ocean Culture, a global ocean storytelling platform built on a simple belief: stories shape culture, and culture drives action.

For over a decade, Matt has worked across luxury weddings, global brands and remote coastal communities. That commercial work funded the creation of Ocean Culture, allowing it to grow patiently, without external pressure or compromise.

His early fascination with the ocean began with a yellow underwater Minolta, sparking a lifelong commitment to documenting people and place with honesty. Today, his work spans from high-profile celebrations to grassroots conservation stories, united by one principle: human connection.

photographer
Commercial photographer london
Commercial lifestyle photographer

Matt’s photography is known for its natural light and emotional depth, but his focus now extends beyond individual images. He builds platforms that elevate others, supporting ocean storytellers, conservation leaders and creative communities around the world.

Through Ocean Culture and his commercial commissions, Matt continues to prove that storytelling can generate value and that value can flow back into the ocean and its people.

He plays the long game, building culture that lasts longer than attention.

Commercial photographer
A graphic design featuring a large whale underwater with text overlay. The text includes the phrases: "Everyone has a story worth telling," "Commercial portfolio 2024," and circular, yellow text reading "Matti Porto" with details including "Driven by
A woman with traditional jewelry and necklaces holding a young child with similar jewelry, standing outdoors with other people and huts in the background.
Profile of a man with dark hair and beard wearing a black t-shirt, sitting against a dark background. Next to the photo, a white panel with black text describes him as an award-winning environmental portrait photographer, highlighting his journey int
Collage of four photos showing a family enjoying outdoor activities, including a child with a dog, a woman smiling outdoors, a family sitting in front of a firewood stack, and a woman taking photos with a camera.
Photograph of a man in a navy suit sitting on a red leather bench, holding a beige duffel bag with red and blue stripes, with two black bags on the floor beside him. A woman in a white dress is standing next to him, with only her legs visible.
A woman in a pink dress underwater in a swimming pool, reaching through a circular window of an underwater structure, with her hair floating around her.
A woman underwater, with her head above the water's surface on the left side, and swimming underwater on the right side.
Collage of three photos: top left shows a scuba diver underwater with a shark and coral; bottom left shows a man standing on a boat or dock with water splashing around; right shows a man standing inside a large jet engine at an aircraft hangar.
Three women in elegant dresses and accessories pose inside a lounge, with one seated, one standing with a drink, and another standing with crossed arms. A fourth woman sits on the ground in a long gown, holding a glass. An undersea view shows a woman
A collage of four underwater photographs showing women in various poses, surrounded by bubbles and colorful lighting.
Left side shows a group of people at a lively party with colorful balloons and vibrant pink and yellow paint splashes in the background. Right side features a woman wearing a wide-brimmed hat with a pink ribbon, red blazer, hoop earrings, a ring, and
Poster for the documentary film 'Lefkás Óri: The White Mountains of Crete' featuring a hiker in a mountainous landscape.
Collage of ocean and adventure scenes including people kayaking, surfing, hiking, and swimming with snowy mountains in the background, with the words "One Ocean" and "Beauty" overlaid on the ocean waves.
A person carrying a large rock on their shoulders, wearing protective gear, with a smoky or dusty background and another person working nearby. Overlaid text reads, 'In the heart of every individual lies a story waiting to be told.'
A split image showing a group of people in a salt mine. The left side features smiling salt workers with bright yellow and patterned head coverings, surrounded by salt piles and carts. The right side shows a film crew with a photographer and a large
Group of people sitting and standing on a salt platform in a rural area under clear blue sky.
A woman and two young girls in traditional clothing are outdoors among lush tropical plants, with one girl being held by the woman. In the second part, the same woman is sitting and preparing fish over an outdoor grill, with a man in the background g
A scuba diver with a mask and snorkel exploring a coral reef underwater surrounded by sea fans and corals.
People scuba diving underwater near a large shark and various fish on a sandy ocean floor.
A woman in swimming goggles and swimsuit with fins swimming underwater towards a large cloud formation.
A young girl with tan skin, bright eyes, and wearing a red patterned headscarf, standing beside a white wall.
A side-by-side of two images: the left shows a young boy in a casual jacket working with thread in a rustic workshop, and the right shows a smiling boy in a school uniform taking notes in a classroom with other students. The word "GOODWEAVE" is print
Two young girls and a small boy stand in a narrow, dark alley with laundry hanging, holding an umbrella during rain, with brick walls and cluttered items around them.
An underwater photo showing a scuba diver and a large hammerhead shark swimming near the ocean floor. Text overlays read 'Ocean Culture Life,' and a seal reads 'Inspire, Educate, Protect.' The logo in the bottom right corner says 'Ocean Culture Life
An iceberg floating in the ocean, with a part above the water and a larger part submerged, and a group of children and teenagers on a sandy beach with collecting bags, under a clear sky, with ocean culture life text and a logo in the bottom left corn
Underwater scene with various fish swimming, including a large shark, in blue ocean water.
Underwater scene of a whale swimming with a school of fish, with the words 'Thank You' and contact information overlayed.

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