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James Ort

@jamesort

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Today marks the 3 year anniversary of the Pulse shooting tragedy in Orlando. Living just a mile away from the scene, I vividly remember waking up to the sound of 15 helicopters rattling the house. I pass by Pulse everyday. Having such a grotesque catastrophe that close to home is mind-bending and surreal. Although it is difficult to overlook the insurmountably abhorrent losses, I wanted to share some noteworthy positive observations following the shooting.
The Central Florida community was magnetized together by the common enemy of hatred and the common bond of healing. As a result Orlando has become a mecca for creativity, expression, and acceptance. We are human, we need each other, we are emotionally and socially complex. In that moment of need, Orlando banded together on a mission to overcome hatred like I’ve never seen before. And that makes me proud to be a part of this community.
On a similar note, it was cool to see businesses and brands come together to support the LGBTQ community despite the potentially politically charged ramifications. It was an honor and an absolute blast to be involved in the Orlando Pride Parade with Red Bull a year after the shooting. As you can see in some of the videos, I’ve never felt more hype, love, and raw positive energy than in those parades. It’s a humbling reminder to accept people, not judge as quickly, love more unconditionally, and hug random people as often as socially allowable.
#hugmorerandos #lgbtq #onecommunity #onepulse #orlandostrong taken in Orlando, Florida by @jamesort

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7 years ago

Note to self: shoot more photos! I’ve enjoyed building things lately: surfboards, landscapes, wood projects. But looking back on travel photos reminds me how lucky I am to have picked up photography basics early on. Here are a few lost photos from Hawaii, Indonesia, Sumatra, Amsterdam, and ‘Merica. taken in Amsterdam, Netherlands by @jamesort

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7 years ago

Here’s to the most beautiful and badass woman in the world! My life coach, spiritual counselor, my rock, my Momma. I recognize everyday the utmost selflessness required to be a mediocre parent, let alone a maternal gangster. This lady is easily the world’s best mom, and I could not feel more fortunate to be raised by her and have her in my life. She put up with my infant habit of pulling fire alarms in crowded public places, she religiously went to my ortgasbord of sports practices everyday for 10+ years, she let me catch alligators in our lake at 12 years old, she taught me to be the first and last person on the dance floor, she made me the person I am today. I love you Mom! ♥️ taken in Ocala National Forest by @jamesort

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7 years ago

A few favorites from the most remote place I will likely ever be in my life. Uncrowded lineups, consistent waves, incredible food. Mmmentawais taken in Mentawai Islands by @jamesort

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7 years ago

Five years ago I moved to Orlando to pursue my passion in wakeboarding. Although I don’t wakeboard anymore, I have utmost appreciation for what the sport has brought into my life: Best friends, career experiences, lifelong memories. I sold my wakeboard boat last week and I can’t help but feel nostalgic while looking through some highlights of our time on the boat. Swipe for some hilarious videos:⁣
- taught an NFL player how to wakesurf⁣
- taught 36 people to barefoot ski⁣
- watched 36 people eat it barefoot skiing⁣
- watched @TaylorrIngram backroll a kneeboard⁣
- tried to drink beer while barefooting⁣
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The watersports industry will always be a significant part of who I am, and I look forward to a life spent on the water. taken in Lake Holden, Orlando by @jamesort

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7 years ago

⁣⁣
✅ Won a National Championship in Wakeboarding ⁣⁣⁣
✅ Taught me how to spearfish⁣⁣⁣
✅ Taught me how to Kiteboard⁣⁣⁣
✅ Bought an RV together @TheFunFarmRV⁣⁣⁣
✅ Made him a surfboard ⁣⁣⁣
✅ Paraglided off a mountain randomly⁣⁣⁣
✅ Had an absolute blast at their wedding ⁣⁣⁣
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It’s wild to look back and recognize how much Jon, Ray, and I have impacted each other’s lives. The love, respect, and gratefulness I have for them is unsurpassed. They’ve challenged me to grow, succeed, and laugh harder than anyone I’ve ever met. To be there for Jon as his best man this weekend was really special. After traveling to the remote corners of the world with these two, I know they have a bright future, and so does their future son, James Jr. taken in Everywhere by @jamesort

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8 years ago

I was really excited when I found this bicycle 70ft deep in the Cayman Islands. I’m equally as excited to have compiled some of my career highlights into a website, appropriately named The Ortfolio. Check it out at www.JamesOrt.com and let me know what you think. 🍻 taken in Grand Cayman by @jamesort

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8 years ago

I had a blast shooting these lowlight long exposure night photos with @thefunfarmrv crew. We spent 2 weeks in remote Baja Mexico in the RV with no access to cell service or WiFi, and it’s amazing how the lack of technology leads to a heightened sense of creativity.
@jonkistemaker @maxedout941 @babiegiraffe @skyannsmith @saabeans @nicktaylor941 @rfeeks taken in Baja California, Mexico by @jamesort

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8 years ago

@bethanyhamilton is incredibly humble, nice, hilarious, and inspiring. I randomly met her in Bali while looking for a wetsuit for spearfishing in the Mentawais. The entire @ripcurl_women ‘s team was at a little surf shop signing autographs and only 5 people were in line so I decided to be the weird “old” guy and get in line. She gave a shoutout to our RV crew @thefunfarmrv. Ironically, I had met her parents best friends while in Hawaii 2 years ago, so it was nice to have some conversation ammo while fangirling so hard.
If you’re not familiar, Bethany was attacked by a 14’ tiger shark in Kauai and lost her arm at 13 years old. She continues a successful professional surfing career and has even caught 10’ waves while 7 months pregnant! Similar to the plot of Jaws, they hunted down the tiger shark who seemed to intentionally prey on humans, and confirmed that it was the shark that attacked Bethany. Everyone has an interesting story, but Bethany’s is an extraordinary one. taken in Uluwatu, Bali, Indonesia by @jamesort

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8 years ago

Christmas Lights
#Bloods #tbt taken in Baja California, Mexico by @jamesort

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8 years ago

taken in Yosemite National Park by @jamesort

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8 years ago

🚌 1200 mile road trip ⁣
✈️ 16 hour flight⁣
✈️ 2 hour flight⁣
✈️ 4 hour flight⁣
✈️ 4 hour flight⁣
🛥 4 hour ferry⁣
🛥 4 hour ferry⁣
🛶 2 hour giant dugout canoe ride⁣
... to get to this wave. Worth it. ⁣ taken in Mentawai Islands by @jamesort

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8 years ago