A much-loved photographer who lived a "crazy beautiful life" has died suddenly.
Anthony Paul Clausen, 47, known to friends as Ant, died while on holiday in New Zealand on January 21. Ant was a professional freelance photographer who was born in New Zealand but lived in Liverpool with his wife, Natalia, and two daughters Scarlett and Liberty.
His family published a heartfelt tribute on his Instagram page where they said he lost his "crazy beautiful life" in the water.
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The post, which was written by his wife, said: "Our beautiful man has followed the sun and left this world behind. There are no words to express how utterly lost we feel without you.
"You filled our lives with constant joy and were the life and soul of everything we did. We are just distraught and don’t know how to do life without you.
"Many of you already know this awful news but for those of you reading this now, our darling Ant tragically lost his crazy beautiful life in his happy place - the water. For some inexplicable reason it was just his time. I’m so very conscious of the huge impact Ant has had on so many of you - from NZ to Liverpool and everywhere else in between.
"He was a magician when it came to people and behind the lens. He just knew how to capture the beauty within us all. My darling – I will love you forever and will bring up our warriors, Scarlett and Liberty, the way we always wanted – at the beach, in the surf, singing at the top of our lungs, wild and care-free.
"I love you always and forever. Natalia x"
Ant was a licensed drone pilot who worked closely with a number of businesses in Liverpool and across the North West. Hundreds of people and businesses took to the comments section of the post to share their own tributes to Ant.
A spokesperson from St George's Hall said: "This is beyond heartbreaking. Ant showed Liverpool in all of its best lights. He was immensely talented and an all round good guy. We will always cherish the memories which Ant captured here at St George’s Hall. We send our love and thoughts to all who were close to Ant, and also to those who had the great pleasure of meeting and/or working with him."
paul.cherpeau said: "This is the worst news. Ant was an outstanding person who was the most talented photographer I’ve ever met. He was a joy to work with professionally and his capturing of our wedding was amazing. I am so sorry for your loss Natalia."
claremaher74 said: "Shocking news and so very sorry for your loss, I worked with Ant over 10 years ago and he was always so friendly and so happy, just the most genuine, lovely man. Sending love to you and your family x"
A celebration of Ant’s life is taking place on Friday, January 27, at 11am at St Joseph’s Church, Takapuna, New Zealand. For people living overseas the service will be live streamed, with the link being posted on Ant's Instagram page.
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