Meet Jo – The Face & Founder of Puddle Pics

Joanne Slaughter

Owner / Underwater Photographer

Jo has been an underwater photographer for over 15 years and is one of Australia’s most experienced children’s underwater photographers.

Her journey began in Cairns when she met Stuart Ireland from Calypso Productions. With over 30 years of experience in underwater photography and videography, Stuart introduced Jo to the craft and inspired her to explore the possibilities of starting her own underwater photography business

During a sunny Sunday afternoon in Cairns, as Jo was preparing to return to Sydney, Stuart mentioned that one of the latest trends overseas was photographing babies underwater in England. That conversation sparked an idea – if swimming is one of the number one activities Australian children participate in, why wasn’t anyone offering professional underwater photography through swim schools?

Back in Sydney, Jo began experimenting with her own daughters as her very willing test subjects. The response from family and friends was overwhelmingly positive and she quickly realised there was a growing demand for high-quality underwater photography that captured not just beautiful images, but confidence, personality and milestones in the water.

With Sydney Olympic Park becoming her first swim school client, Puddle Pics was born.

Today, Jo has photographed thousands of children – from babies as young as a few months old through to teenagers and adults. While she loves photography, what truly sets her apart is her ability to connect with children and make them feel comfortable and confident in the water.

Her passion for the swim industry also led her to become a qualified learn-to-swim instructor, giving her a unique understanding of both child development and swimming progression. Combining photography and teaching allows Jo to create a safe, fun and memorable experience while capturing moments families treasure forever.