No matter if they are taken in the deepest ocean or in a swimming pool, underwater images are breathtaking.
Underwater photography is not the easiest niche to explore. It may require specialized equipment and knowledge of the underwater world. These challenges make underwater photography worth exploring as an art form.
The best thing about being an underwater photographer is knowing that your work has such a powerful effect on those who view it.
We’ve listed 17 underwater photographers working today who capture unique aspects of life below the surface. Believe us; they are worth checking out!
Who Are The Most Influential Underwater Photographers?
Let’s take a look at the work of these fantastic underwater photographers that have inspired us recently.
Each of these photographers bring something special to the niche.
Thomas P. Peschak
Thomas P. Peschak is a wildlife photojournalist, conservationist, and assignment photographer for National Geographic. His images often show us the unique character of the wildlife he shoots.
He is also a Founding/Associate Director of the Manta Trust. The organization’s goal is to provide a sustainable future for the oceans.
Brian Skerry
Brian Skerry is a photojournalist and conservationist, specializing in marine wildlife and underwater environments. His portfolio is full of impressive close-up portraits of whales, sharks and seals.
Brian is a photographer for National Geographic Magazine and has been awarded Wildlife Photographer of the Year an impressive 11 times.
Juan Oliphant
Juan Oliphant grew up surfing and later got into diving. He is a passionate conservation photographer and shark photographer. His goal is to protect and save the oceans.
He uses his breathtaking shark photos to bring people closer to nature and show us what we can lose by not taking care of our planet.
David Doubilet
David Doubliet is also a National Geographic photographer. He is the partner of Jennifer Hayes – another amazing underwater photographer on our list.
His mission is to give a voice to the ocean through his images. Also, to connect people to this mysterious world, and raise awareness of its devastation.
Elena Kalis
Elena is a photographer based in the Bahamas, who brings attention to the Bahamas National Trust’s conservation work.
She mostly works with models and gymnasts to create spectacular underwater images in natural environments.
Shawn Heinrichs
Shawn is an Emmy-award winning cinematographer, photographer and conservationist with a strong passion to protect the oceans. He recognised that people only protect what they love, so he inspires people to act, and he does it with his stunning images.
The mysteries of the deep are highlighted by Shawn’s unique use of light in his underwater shots.
Craig Parry
Craig is a self-taught oceanic and nature photographer, based in Australia. His work focuses on marine and landscape photography, and his aim is to connect the viewers with the environment.
He travels the world and creates engaging images that make us wish to see these scenes with our own eyes.
Seth Casteel
Seth Casteel is a self-taught photographer from the US. He became world-famous when his playful series of underwater dog portraits became an internet sensation. You can’t hold back a smile when viewing these diving dogs!
Seth is also an animal activist and hosts a TV series about dog adoption.
Jason Washington
Jason Washington is a diver who has a passion for the undiscovered underwater worlds. Shipwrecks provide a haunting backdrop to his unique underwater images of wildlife and gymnasts.
Jennifer Hayes
Jennifer is an aquatic biologist, ocean advocate and a contributing photographer and speaker for National Geographic Partners. Her images show different species and underwater scenes from everywhere around the globe.
Andrey Savin
Andrey Savin is an underwater photographer and videographer. He is a certified diver and he spends a lot of time underwater. His unique set of skills allows him to take outstanding macro photos that you don’t get to see very often.
He travels a lot and he has guided tours and workshops where you can go with Andrey to take as vibrant and diverse images as him.
Jorge Cervera Hauser
Jorge is an underwater photographer, award-winning film producer and eco-tourism activist. He shares his love for the oceans through his work, and he has documented some never-seen-before marine behaviour.
His images show all kinds of beautiful creatures from the deep.
Irina Kazakova
Irina Kazakova is a Russian rhythmic gymnast who started her underwater photography career as a model. Photography became one of the mediums through which she expresses her creativity, and now she takes stunning underwater portraits.
Scott Wilson
Scott Wilson is an underwater photographer and cinematographer from Australia. He focuses on encounters with the giants of the ocean, only using natural light. He dives on a single breath and takes fine-art images.
Looking at his breathtaking photos, we start feeling small!
Tom Cannon
Tom Cannon enjoys surfing, connecting with nature and taking amazing underwater photographs. He is a co-founder of Protect What You Love, a clothing line with a mission to protect different marine species.
Greg Lecoeur
If you would like to see some breathtaking underwater images, take a look at Greg’s work. He is committed to the preservation of the oceans, and his images present the underwater biodiversity and our environmental heritage.
Tom St George
Tom St George has two passion, diving and photography, and he combines the two in his stunning underwater photos. He loves photographing underwater caverns, caves, and marine wildlife.
His photos show magical and unknown worlds to the viewer.
