About Eugene Was Here

I’m Eugene — an average papa who broke out of the 9–5 to work 24/7 on things I love. I capture the beauty and everyday magic of Melbourne’s bayside — Aspendale, Mordialloc and beyond — and share it to lift local spirits.

I offer my photos free for personal use, and when a business wants to use them, I ask for a direct donation to the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. I also occasionally support Ukraine relief projects close to my heart.

Why I Do This

In June 2021, during lockdown, I took my “Droneski” out to show neighbours the light, colour and energy still alive on our coastline. Since then I’ve kept at it: dawn swims, windfoilers carving across the bay, dolphins at sunset, sailing regattas, quiet winter mornings when the world turns gold. This project is my way of spreading love and good vibes, one pixel at a time.

My Story

I live here. I swim here. I bump into the same friendly faces on the sand and jetties, and I wait for the weather windows like everyone else. Being part of the community I film has shaped what I make: honest slices of local life instead of staged spectacles. I’m not a full‑time videographer — I’m a hobbyist who squeezes flights between nappy runs and client work — but I put care into every frame.

What You’ll Find Here

Free, high‑resolution images for personal use (no watermark) via my gallery
Short films and clips from local events, clubs and everyday coastal life
Themed collections: Aspendale Beach, Melbourne, Sunrises & Sunsets, Watersports, Festivals and more
Occasional volunteer coverage for non‑profit clubs and community events
A trusted local option for canvas prints if you want a shot on your wall
Links to Instagram, Facebook and YouTube for fresh uploads

How I Work

Personal use: Download and enjoy my images in high quality, at no cost
Business use: Make a direct donation to Peter Mac in lieu of a licence fee
Commissions: I’m not taking professional drone/video bookings; I’m happy to refer excellent local pros
Community: When time and weather align, I volunteer for non‑profit clubs and events
Respect: I fly thoughtfully, with safety, privacy and wildlife front of mind

My Experience Behind the Lens

Flying year‑round has taught me to read light, tide, wind and traffic — and to be ready when moments appear and vanish in seconds: a whale off Aspendale, dolphins at dusk, the first tack in a regatta, fog rolling across a quiet bay. Living here gives me the patience to wait for those moments, and the perspective to tell the story of our coastline as we actually experience it.

My Craft and Tools

I’m a pixel nerd from way back who learned Photoshop last century and kept tinkering. These days, I keep the kit simple and the colours true.

Aircraft: DJI Mini 3 Pro, Mavic 4 Pro, Mavic 3, Air 2S, and DJI FPV for dynamic angles
Cameras and software: Sony A7 series, Lightroom for stills, CapCut for fast edits, and Adobe tools when deeper control is needed
Shooting approach: Natural light, thoughtful framing, subtle grading that preserves the feel of the scene
Workflow: Cloud sync for mobile-to-desktop projects so I can share quickly when the moment matters

Beyond the camera, my day job is helping businesses grow through websites, SEO and ads (Ranked and CMO Eugene). That background helps me organise, describe and present media so people can actually find and enjoy it.

Proof This Resonates

I’m grateful for the community that’s formed around these pixels:

Ongoing galleries for local swimmers, lifesavers, sailors, paddlers and more
Regular conversations and shares on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube
Word‑of‑mouth from neighbours who spot themselves or a favourite jetty at just the right moment
A trusted print partner in Chelsea, John Isaakidis, who turns images into canvas prints that look the part at home or in clubrooms

Trust, Transparency and Giving Back

Trust matters, so I keep things clear:

Use terms: Free for personal use; businesses donate directly to Peter Mac for commercial use
Giving: Donations support the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and, at times, Ukraine relief initiatives
Scope: I’m not taking on commercial drone/video work; I’ll gladly recommend skilled locals if you need one
Disclosure: Some gear links are affiliates — I’ll always state this
Safety and privacy: I fly responsibly and share respectfully

Community Connections

This project belongs as much to the community as it does to me. You’ll see familiar faces, local clubs and the moods of Port Phillip Bay through the seasons. If you’re a non‑profit in the Melbourne bayside area and think I can help with an event, reach out — I can’t promise availability, but I’ll do my best when the toddler‑and‑weather gods align.

How You Can Support

Leave a Google review here and share what the photos mean to you
Subscribe on YouTube for new clips and local stories
Follow on Instagram or Facebook to see the latest work
If you’re a business using my images, please donate to Peter Mac as your way of saying thanks
Want a print? John in Chelsea is your man for quality canvas

Get in Touch

Say hello at hello[@]eugenewashere.com, or message me on Facebook or Instagram. If you’re curious about my day job helping businesses grow with websites, SEO, Google Ads and Facebook Ads, you can find me at ranked.net.au and cmoeugene.com.

Thanks for being here. Whether you’re a neighbour, a swimmer, a sailor, a paddler or a sunset chaser, I hope these pixels brighten your day — and help our community do a little good along the way.