The Underwater World

As a seasoned photographer and artist with over two decades of experience, I am constantly seeking innovative and creative avenues for self-expression. It is with great excitement that I unveil my latest project, The Underwater World Portrait Series. Throughout my career, nature, including water, has been a recurring element in my work. However, the inspiration to fully immerse myself, my camera, and my models in an underwater environment emerged when my family and I undertook the renovation of an old pool, sparking a newfound passion.

The process of shooting underwater propels us into a different realm, offering a plethora of possibilities while presenting unique challenges and limitations. The absence of gravity and the embrace of weightlessness, the silence that replaces sound, and the reliance on non-verbal communication through intuition all contribute to a transformative experience. Visually, the play of sunlight creating ethereal reflections and rainbows in the water, the transformation of surface reflections into transcendental paintings, the ephemeral shapes formed by air bubbles from the models' breath, and the graceful movement of fabrics, hair, and props combine to create an otherworldly encounter for all immersed in this watery realm.

While the end result is the creation of distinctive and beautiful underwater portraits, the transformative power lies in the process itself, affecting both myself as an artist and, at times, the subjects of the portraits. Water possesses a profoundly meditative quality, serving as a direct link to the universal Oneness that encompasses all. As a purifying force, water allows the dissipation of energetic toxins, traumas, and the pressures of the modern world.

My subjects, primarily women and children, actively participate in the process of journeying into the Underwater World. Collaboratively, we select ornaments, fabrics, and makeup, aligning each choice with their desired representation and expression. Items such as a Shaman’s necklace from Peru, flowery fabrics, vintage dresses, and props found in nature, like bones, leaves, and sticks, are chosen intentionally for their sacred significance. Women and children, with their inherent mystery and sensuality, symbolize hope, creation, and the boundless potential of humanity. Remarkably, some models have conveyed that this exploration into an underwater realm has facilitated personal transformation and assisted in processing trauma.

The resulting images serve as poignant reminders of the perpetual magic that surrounds us. These photos act as "mirrors," reflecting both the outer and inner beauty and power of the remarkable women involved in this creative journey.

I seamlessly merge this new underwater landscape with an ongoing dialogue within my work, exploring the intersection of dreams, a profound passion for nature, mythology, magic, and the ever-enigmatic Mystery..