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Personally, I am driven by underwater portraits because I find them fascinating, besides being a unique way of self-discovery and reconnection. A moving meditation. A fluid experience. Water itself is a healing element. We are developed and nurtured for almost nine months in a fluid environment, that is why water has a therapeutical effect on humans: it is the safest place we know. Therefore, I believe that being inside the water allows us to feel with no restrictions, embracing our vulnerability and turning it into art. Far from judgment, from expectations, and staying true to our essence. The water reminds us of our first home, where we could communicate without the need of using a language, where our humanity is embraced and becomes a masterpiece, where we honor each breath as a glimpse of life, of survival, of being. This is what underwater photography manifests: the true nature of the self.
Moreover, my method for underwater photography is holding my breath, aka freediving. I began my freediving journey because I wanted to have a different perspective while being under the water. I could imagine that scuba diving would facilitate the process, nevertheless, I felt that holding my breath was going to be a great challenge for exploring not only the water but also my limits. Freediving, breath-hold diving, or apnea is a sport that trains both body and mind to deal with physiological stress, specifically hypoxia.
Hypoxia is the condition of the body where the tissues are starved of oxygen, in this case, self-induced hypoxia not only rewires our mindset and basic beliefs of survival but can also be considered as a voluntary chance to experience what the end of life would feel like. It may sound like self-inflicted damage, but I saw it as an opportunity to achieve higher levels of consciousness and body awareness, which later was validated by several scientific research on the psychological effects of freediving and various other breathwork practices for emotional liberation. Our body reacts differently when the oxygen supply is limited. We feel in danger and activate our survival mode. Because of this, breath-holding has been widely used to heal past trauma (holotropic breathing is a perfect example); thus, being in such a state of vulnerability enhances the creation of genuine art. Art with a meaning. Art with an essence and a soul.
Introspection, self-recognition, mindfulness under the water, and many other descriptive terms could be compiled in my personal appreciation of underwater photography. As previously stated, it goes beyond taking photos or videos with a camera inside the water. It is about telling stories with no filters, showing the raw beauty of life from a different perspective. Going deeper into underwater human portraits, I consider them as the proper representation of our nature in its authentic first habitat. Raw, vibrant, experiencing the art of breath-holding, transitioning from our comfort zone into the unknown, but also becoming aware of the fine line between life and death through each breath. The more I spend time envisioning authentic compositions for underwater photo shoots or videos, the more I realize how limitless our creativity is, especially when it comes to spaces that are familiar and comfortable for us. Creating synergy with the water, in the water, through the water it’s a way of liberation and a proper therapy for every person who is constantly dealing with mental clutter and disturbing noise, both internal and external, just like many of us nowadays.
This is the reason why underwater photography became my passion. I began looking for new photography skills and ended up discovering a whole new world that not only enlightened my knowledge as a visual artist but also invited me to begin a journey within through the different elements involved in this specific type of photography. I learned about telling stories without words, about the impact of capturing images through a lens under the water, about recreating and unconsciously visiting our first home, about the power of breathing, and honoring the healing aspect of art. I understood that underwater photography has the power to bring us back to our vulnerable stages in a safe way, where we become art just by being who we are. I look forward to having more experiences that will add value to my work as an underwater photographer. At the moment, I am seeking to discover new aspects of my passion, where every project is a new opportunity for learning, growing, and improving.