Page 15 - Port Douglas Magazine 31

Take a closer look!
Scan the QR Code to view Reuben’s
2019 Highlights Reel

had a little gig for him. So, for 20 photos they Around the same time eccentric businessman of everyone with an Instagram account wanting
shouted his flight home … he was hooked. This Christopher Skase was dolloping the town with to set their feed on fire, you know, just doing it
was the life for which he hungered. oil palms and constructing the jewel of the tropics for the gram.
His commitment and pursuit to his passion has - his 5-star Sheraton Mirage Resort. A Gatsby- It’s not surprising at all that both Stephen and
esque boom was upon the rebirth of Douglas.
led him to the doors of high-profile clients like Reuben have both found success in tourism. It
BBC Studios and BMW Australia. A-list celebrities, Presidents, world influencers also doesn’t hurt when the subject matter has very
started to visit the now chic tropical playground agreeable aesthetics. The two-chuckle telling me
for the rich and famous. And Stephen was center that Stephen got his first contract with Tourism
HOME WITH A VIEW
stage, camera in hand with those who founded Queensland when he was 25, Reuben beating
Every person has their origin story. A recurring this new era, and as the “original Port Douglas him getting his at 18, but hey who’s counting,
theme in their story is the place in which they photographer” he documented the hey days right?
grew up. It always plays a huge part in shaping showcasing its natural splendor. “It has grown
Ask Stephen what his ultimate photography
their character, and it becomes a part of their now, but still has its charm,” he says. “Most
challenge has been and he will not hesitate to
being. “Growing up in Port Douglas gave me a people didn’t wear shoes then. Some still don’t.” I
tell you with a reflective smile that exposes great
stronger appreciation for the natural world,” says guess when you live in one of those special places challenges and great rewards: “Shooting the
Reuben. “It’s all here on our doorstep.” He was where people travel from all around the world to Olympic torch under water on the Great Barrier
referring to the fact that this is the only place on visit you don’t want to leave.
Reef,” he says. It was probably the wildest place
Earth where two World Heritage listed gems,
the torch has ever visited on its way to the 2000
the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest,
Sydney Olympics. “So much effort went into
meet. FULL EXPOSURE
that image from a lot of people, including me. I
Like Reuben, the region has a real outdoorsy I’ve always been a passionate traveler, fascinated had 20 seconds to take the shot, but I was taken
vibe. Running wild in his younger days through by incredible places, and like many I travel a back when I saw the result,” he says. So was the
rainforest, swinging from vines into crystal lot on my device, tantalizing my wanderlust by rest of the world, the picture seen by over one
waterholes – move over Disneyland, Port Douglas scrolling the online world of tourism, visually billion people. Talk about killing the ROI.
Daintree is a natural amusement park for the deciding where to discover next.
An ambassador for the area, Reuben was in his
adventure hearted. A small world that punches
So, it’s vital that tourism bodies get it right. Every element shooting Tropical North Queensland
well above its weight, it directly reflects Reuben’s
image must not only catch the eye but also the covering everywhere between Lizard Island
essence that shines through his photography. heart. Reuben hits that point of connection spot to Hamilton Island in just a few weeks for
The sleepy fishing village first got notoriety as a on. His photos and videos are so aspiring that you Tourism Australia’s PhilAUSophies campaign. “I
burly gold rush port until a cyclone ravaged the want to be where they are. was inspired by the diversity in landscapes and
community leaving it a ghost town. Resilient I remember being blown away when I was first experiences in just the one region,” he says. It
and never losing its quaint allure something
introduced with one of Reuben’s images. It was was no day on the beach, well not the kind you’d
really special was happening in the early 80’s -
the cover photo of Port Douglas Magazine, issue have on holiday. Shooting over 25,000 photos,
tourists worldwide began to discover the beauty 22 - an aerial shot that I could only describe as a lugging around awkward equipment in and out of
and peace of this forgotten paradise. It was 1982 kaleidoscope of palms framing a curvy piece of helicopters and boats, a late-night editing session
when Stephen first came to the idyllic spot and the Great Barrier Reef Drive. It was exciting to that lasted for hours before finally submitting 600
was instantly smitten. “It really was a village by
see a young local talent featured in this capacity. pictures. And he wouldn’t trade it in for the world.
the sea then,” he says.
As quickly as the photo went viral, the spot He loves it: “I felt privileged seeing how much the
where it was snapped outside Thala Beach Nature tourists were enjoying my backyard.”
Reserve became Insta famous with an onslaught
PORT DOUGLAS MAGAZINE 15