Meet LJ Strike | Professional Photographer and Dive Instructor

We had the good fortune of connecting with LJ Strike and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi LJ, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Both my parents have owned their own business, so I guess it was just a matter of time before I started one. It’s been a concept of mine for years; then, after being stuck in lockdown for a few months back in Australia, I was able to have some quality time to make a dream a reality.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I work as a Lead Deckhand, Dive Instructor and Photographer onboard a 180ft superyacht. It’s predominantly a male-dominated industry, so I’ve come a long way to break the mould and be a female on deck and get to the position I am today. I’ve been in the industry for four years now, and juggling my photography business on the side, has been both challenging and rewarding at the same time. I’ve learned that if you want something bad enough, you’ll work hard enough to achieve it.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
It honestly would depend on where I was in the world. I moved every few months for work so I could take you to a multitude of places. Some of my favourites places I have lived and travelled to have been Japan, Egypt and French Polynesia. The trip would most likely include adventures such as diving, skiing, hiking, and in search of that prime photographic spot. We would eat at local, hard to find places and get off the beaten track.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I wouldn’t say there was a particular person, but several people have expressed an interest in my talents for taking photos over the years. I would always brush it off, but it wasn’t until recently, when I was featured in a few magazines, that I started to think I had any talent. My mum has always been my biggest supporter, but I just believed she was being a good mum, telling me my photos were great, regardless of whether they were or not. Just like when you paint a strange picture as a kid, and they love it nonetheless! I would have to shout out to the Digital Content Manager over at Amels Yachting for these magazines to get my photography out there and published to the world.

Website: Strikecophoto.com

Instagram: liajstrike