Where It All Began

My name is Matthew Dodd and I can say with confidence leaving Australia when I was 21 to travel Canada and Europe changed the trajectory of my life like no other moment. I left on my own and honestly was a little insecure of my place in the world only to return home with my eyes wide open.

Then

My life to that point was spent growing up in and around Port Lincoln on the west coast of South Australia. Playing sport, fishing, camping, riding bikes and being with my friends was how I spent my free time. Looking back now I would say it was the typical upbringing for someone from my generation. The thoughts of travelling to far off lands was something that hadn’t even tickled the imagination until later in life. The catalyst for change was when I moved to Adelaide at 19. I had quickly dropped out of Uni, was let go by the football club I was trying out for and was doing unskilled labouring work. Eighteen months later I returned to Port Lincoln to save for this thing that I had read about called a working holiday in the ski fields of Lake Louise, Canada.  

Little did I know that during that first trip overseas I would meet a girl who is now the mother to my child. Little did I know that I would have an everlasting love for the mountains, the snow and photography. I never realised that getting onto that plane would instil a passion and constant need and desire to be in the outdoors and adventuring. 

That need for adventure has taken me snowboarding in New Zealand, Canada and Japan. I have been very fortunate to go surfing in Samoa, Puerto Rico and Indonesia. I have boarded sketchy planes in the Dominican Republic, hiked through the Himalayas, motorbike backpacked throughout Vietnam and bungyed in Bali. I donned a backpack and trekked the 1,200km Heysen Trail, situated in South Australia, photographing the journey whilst raising funds for Beyond Blue. I have found myself at a summer camp on the East Coast of the United States, sitting in coffee shops in Amsterdam and bike packing through the Netherlands, Belgium and France with second-hand pushbikes that were purchased after a night out. I have watched football in Sweden and played the tourist in Denmark. I have weaved my way through the United Kingdom while stopping in Scotland to sample the namesake and get regrettable tattoos. I have drank my way through the beerhalls of Germany, tasted pizza in Italy and swam in the waters of Fiji.

Now

The world has changed so quickly and I am very grateful to have seen and done all those things throughout my twenties while meeting the most amazing people along the way. I would not change a thing. I now find myself fully grounded back where it all started, on the west coast of South Australia with my partner, except now it is a little different. I am currently 34 years young and have just started the greatest adventure of my life, being a dad. Although we want to be back travelling as a family, I am looking forward to further exploring this region I call home with my camera in hand and sharing with you all the fruits of my labour.

Doddlife Photography has always been a place to inspire. To inspire people to get up, get outside and see this amazing place we call home all for yourself.