Thanks for dropping in! Im Justin O’Donnell. 

I never imagined I’d one day work in the creative industry. As a teenager, I discovered my love for making and fixing things, which quickly evolved into a passion for cars. At 17, I left high school to pursue a career in the automotive world.

After nearly seven years in that space, I found a new passion - photography and filmmaking. What started as curiosity quickly turned into something more serious. I left the automotive industry and began freelancing, assisting other photographers, and building my skillset. Alongside this, I studied at AFTRS and completed additional training to deepen my technical and creative knowledge.

My first step into the industry was an internship at The Haus, where I learned how to take campaigns from concept through to completion. I worked across brands including Activision, Blizzard, Red Cross and Tinder, and quickly developed the ability to work at pace, collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, and find practical, creative solutions under pressure.

I later joined Australia’s leading independent social media content agency, where I led end-to-end production across both photography and video. Working with brands such as Volkswagen, Ferrari, Hublot and IWC, I developed a strong foundation in visual storytelling, particularly within the automotive space.

After three years, I progressed into a senior role and became the creative lead for Volkswagen Australia, overseeing social and out-of-home campaigns from ideation through to execution. This experience deepened my understanding of how to capture design, performance, and brand identity through considered lighting, composition, and detail.

As my role evolved, I took on larger-scale productions both in Australia and internationally, including work in London. I led shoots with larger crews, built workflows for multi-spec campaigns, and supported the growth of team members through mentorship and upskilling.

This journey has shaped me into a highly adaptable photographer, comfortable working across both creative and technical environments. I enjoy collaborating closely with clients, creative directors, and production teams to create work that is both considered and impactful.