It is believed Ray Alley, 54, well known for his photographs of Port Stephens, took his life in Newcastle on Friday, September 12.

Newcastle police would not release details surrounding Mr Alley's death, but said they were not treating it as suspicious.

It is believed he died at Noah's On the Beach, a hotel in Newcastle East.

Tributes were flowing on social media this week as news broke of Mr Alley's death.

Daughter Nell Price wrote a moving tribute to her father on Facebook, saying "I can't believe you've gone".

"I have so many special memories and I wanted so many more," Mrs Price said.

"You were loved by so many and my world will never be the same without you."

Imagine Cruises skipper Frank Future said he had been friends with Mr Alley for 19 years.

"He was a good mate," Mr Future said.

"It's a bit of a shock, he was such a happy guy."

Mr Future said Mr Alley worked for Imagine Cruises for a number of years, taking photographs of whales and dolphins, which have been used by media outlets across the world.

That included a photograph of white whale Migaloo breaching the waters of Port Stephens in June.

Mr Alley was not only a photographer, but had a love for music and creating model trains.

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