harriet spark
“Filmmaking gives you the rare chance to understand perspectives and experiences you otherwise wouldn’t encounter, and I always love learning about someone else’s world.”
Harriet Spark is a documentary filmmaker and photographer with over a decade of experience capturing the underwater world. Originally aspiring to be a fashion photographer, Harriet discovered her true passion while working as a dive instructor on the Great Barrier Reef.
While part of her role involved photographing tourists exploring the reef, she quickly seized every opportunity to capture the vibrant coral, fish, and other marine life around her. Diving puts her in a blissful flow state, and through her photography and films, she strives to share the alien, otherworldly beauty of the oceans with the wider world.
From Fashion Aspirations to Underwater Worlds
Merging Filmmaking with Ocean Conservation
Harriet has worked on productions for National Geographic, PBS Nature, and ABC, directing short-form documentaries and developing her first feature-length film. Alongside her partner, cinematographer Woody Spark, she co-founded Grumpy Turtle Films, a production company born from their shared love of diving, filmmaking, and ocean conservation. Named after a perpetually grumpy turtle Harriet once worked with at an aquarium, the company embodies their commitment to highlighting the threats marine life faces—from climate change and plastic pollution to habitat loss—while celebrating the ocean’s vibrant beauty.
Iconic Moments on the GSR
One of Harriet’s most unforgettable experiences was witnessing the giant cuttlefish aggregation at Whyalla. “You see snorkelers and divers having these quiet, intimate moments with the cuttlefish as they dazzle and dance in their colorful displays. It’s truly magical,” she recalls. Experiences like these fuel her work and underscore her mission: to draw attention to the realities of the devastating threats our oceans face, while celebrating the beauty that remains.
Harriet’s favourite part of the Great Southern Reef is Cabbage Tree Bay in Sydney. “It’s a testament to how incredible marine sanctuaries are—the bay is so close to one of the busiest cities in the world, yet is protected from fishing and is home to giant cuttlefish, blue gropers, eagle rays, wobbegong sharks, and Port Jackson sharks,” she says. For Harriet, places like this are a reminder of why protecting marine life matters.
Preparing for the Perfect Underwater Shoot
Preparation is key to Harriet’s approach. She always gets ready the night before a dive, ensuring batteries are charged, gear is packed, and every detail is in place. Local knowledge is invaluable, and she never dives alone. Early in her career, mastering neutral buoyancy was drilled into her by her instructor, even practicing underwater floating exercises in a hula hoop. This training allows her to move effortlessly while photographing and filming, keeping both herself and the reef safe. Low visibility and cold water are challenges she embraces, refining her skills and deepening her connection to the underwater world.
People, Perspective, and Purpose
Beyond the marine life, Harriet treasures the people she meets through filmmaking. “Spending time underwater focusing on a specific animal or habitat is incredible, but what I love most is meeting new and inspiring people. Filmmaking gives you the rare chance to understand perspectives and experiences you otherwise wouldn’t encounter, and I always love learning about someone else’s world,” she says.
Through her work, Harriet Spark invites audiences to witness the extraordinary life of the Great Southern Reef, experience its magic, and understand why conserving these delicate ecosystems is more important than ever.
You can see more of Harriet’s work on her IG @harrietspark_ @grumpyturtlefilms and on her website www.harrietspark.com.
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