For most people, the bond with an animal is measured in tail wags or purrs. For Jono Allen, it’s a 40-ton mother humpback whale gently nudging him toward the surface, as if to say, “It’s time to breathe.” For Allen, an acclaimed underwater photographer and founder of Blue Vagabond excursions, this moment was more than just an encounter—it was a life-altering connection that would define his career and outlook on the natural world.

A Connection Deeper Than the Ocean

Allen, an Australia native who has traveled to over ten countries in the past eight months, is no ordinary wildlife photographer. He doesn’t simply observe whales from a distance—he interacts with them, capturing their personalities and emotions in breathtaking portraits that have made him a sensation on social media and in conservation circles.

“I have been bumped, rolled, whacked over, cuddled by whales. I’ve had whales follow me to the boat,” Allen told PEOPLE exclusively. “Whales have their own language, and it’s one I’ve learned to master.”

His secret? Meeting the whales on their own terms. “Humpbacks have the longest appendages; they have these massive fins. We have long arms, too. So when we spin underwater, throw our arms around, and start dancing, that’s their play language,” Allen explains. “They start spinning with you, and then you keep doing this little dance together. Eventually, you’ll see them just click.”

It’s during these playful underwater ballets that Allen captures his signature images—moments of eye-to-eye contact that reveal the intelligence and curiosity of these gentle giants. “I try to capture the feeling and emotion they give me to create portraits of their personalities,” he says. “Not just as animals, but as living, sentient creatures.”

The Day a Whale Tried to Save Him

But it was one extraordinary encounter that left Allen forever changed. While swimming off the coast, Allen found himself the focus of a mother humpback whale’s concern. “I was swimming in the water and this mother humpback saw me and thought something was wrong,” he recalls. “She came over and started trying to lift me out of the water so I could breathe.”

The whale’s behavior, Allen explains, mirrored how mothers care for their calves. “When their calves are born, they can’t swim, so they lift them up to breathe,” he says. “She did the same for me, using her rostrum to give me a boost.”

Allen, ever mindful of the animal’s well-being, gently declined the offer. “As much as I would’ve loved for her to follow through, I didn’t allow it to happen for her safety,” he says, his respect for these creatures evident.

Dancing With Danger—And Respect

Allen’s underwater adventures aren’t limited to whales. On one Blue Vagabond excursion, he found himself face-to-face with a three-meter tiger shark. “I’ve been pushed out of the water by a tiger shark, physically pushed out,” he shares. “She came straight up, so I went straight down to redirect.”

With calm precision, Allen placed a hand on the shark’s nose, then used his other hand to gently steer her away. “After maybe four seconds, I’m looking up at the birds and boats, my head out of the water, and I have my hand on this tiger shark,” he laughs. “It’s not the most ideal situation, but it’s part of the job.”

Despite the risks, Allen insists these animals are misunderstood. “I know people have had ribs cracked open and been stretchered off boats,” he admits. “But in their nature, they’re so gentle and peaceful.”

Sparking a Passion for the Ocean

Through Blue Vagabond, Allen leads expeditions for guests eager to experience the magic of underwater wildlife—whether it’s swimming with whales in Tonga or diving with sharks in the Maldives. For Allen, sharing these moments is as rewarding as living them.

“Seeing the beauty of the underwater world through the eyes of others is one of the best parts of my job,” he says. “It mirrors my own beginnings and the spark that ignited my love for whales and wildlife over a decade ago.”

That spark was first kindled in Africa, where Allen spent two years working with a non-governmental organization in Kenya. Surrounded by elephants, hippos, and lions, he felt a powerful connection to the wild. But when he returned to Australia, something was missing.

“I felt really strange, disconnected,” Allen says. “Being around that wildlife gave me a real sense of home and passion. I felt that absence a lot when I came back.”

It wasn’t until a friend invited him to swim with whales that Allen found his calling. “At first, I didn’t think it was possible,” he recalls. “But we got on the boat, found these whales, and at sunset, a mum and calf came right up to us. I was just mind-blown.”

From that first dive, Allen was hooked. “I booked a trip to Tonga the next month, bought a camera, and on my first dive, a whale rose up, took a massive breath, and I just started bawling my eyes out,” he says. “From that moment, I knew I wanted to spend every minute swimming with whales.”

Portraits With a Purpose

Allen’s photographs are more than art—they’re a call to action. By capturing the personalities and emotions of underwater wildlife, he hopes to inspire others to care about ocean conservation.

“I want people to see whales and sharks not as threats or curiosities, but as sentient beings deserving of respect and protection,” he says. “That connection, that spark of love for the ocean and wildlife, is what brings me the most joy.”

A Life Changed—and Changing Others

For Jono Allen, each dive is an opportunity to connect, inspire, and protect. Whether he’s dancing with humpbacks, redirecting a curious tiger shark, or sharing the ocean’s wonders with guests, his message is clear: the world beneath the waves is full of life, intelligence, and heart.

And sometimes, if you’re lucky, a mother whale might just try to save you—reminding us all of the deep bonds possible between humans and the wild.