Guide to OUR UNDER WATER PHOTOGRAPHY SESSION

I’m so excited to capture this magical experience with you. Here’s everything you need to know so you feel confident and prepared before we dive in.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Underwater photography is like nothing else. It’s creative, empowering, and a little bit wild in the best way. We’ll play with light, movement, and flow to create dreamy, ethereal images that feel like art. Sessions usually run for about 45 minutes to 1.5 hours depending on the conditions and how you're feeling in the water.

We’ll start with a chat poolside or beachside to go over everything and ease into the session slowly. You don’t need to be a pro swimmer but you do need to feel confident in the water. You should be able to hold your breath, submerge your face, and feel safe going under several times.

It might feel a little hard or even silly at times and that’s completely normal. I’m in the same boat as you. Most of the time I’ll jump in and show you the movements myself. We might repeat a pose a few times to get the timing and angles just right. It’s all part of the fun and creativity.

POSING

Underwater posing is different to anything on land. Movements feel slower, more exaggerated, and a bit unpredictable. To help you feel more prepared, I recommend scrolling through my recent underwater images on Instagram or my website. Notice how clients use their arms, hands, and hair. Pay attention to floating fabrics, soft arching, and relaxed limbs. It’s all about creating gentle shapes and fluidity. The more familiar you are before we shoot, the more confident you’ll feel when we're in the water together.

WHAT TO WEAR

The colours you choose make a big difference underwater. Earthy tones like browns, beiges, rust, black, and soft neutrals photograph beautifully and keep the focus on your movement and emotion. Avoid bright colours, neons, and loud patterns as they can be distracting and distort underwater.

Nude or seamless swimwear is best for layering under fabrics for maternity images

FOR FAMILY BEACH SESSIONS

If you're planning a family session at the beach, get ready for a mix of playful and soulful moments. These sessions are about enjoying the water, letting the kids splash around, and capturing the connection you share as a family. Some images will be fully in the water, others more relaxed and sun-drenched along the shore.

Drone coverage is available and highly recommended for these sessions. It gives us a stunning, birds-eye view and adds another layer of magic to your gallery.

If your little ones are joining, please make sure they’re comfortable around water before the day. It helps to keep things relaxed and enjoyable for everyone. Talk about it as a fun beach day with me and my camera, not a formal photoshoot. Familiarising them with the location ahead of time, or showing them past photos can help too. Let them bring a comfort item if they need it. We’ll go at their pace, allow space for play, and capture whatever unfolds.

Click here for how i recommend prepping the family for a stress free session.

WHAT TO BRING

Here’s a little checklist to help you feel prepared on the day

• Towel and a dry change of clothes
• Water bottle to stay hydrated
• No creams, moisturisers, or fake tans beforehand as they can run in the water and affect clarity
• Minimal or no makeup — waterproof mascara is fine if you’d like but natural is best
• Nude or seamless swimwear for layering under fabrics
• Any flowing dresses or fabrics you’d love to try in the water — we can also chat about options from my client wardrobe

If you have long hair, keeping it loose looks beautiful underwater. A soft braid or low bun works too if that feels more you.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

For beach sessions, I highly recommend adding on drone coverage. It captures the beauty of the location from above and complements your underwater shots perfectly.

For pool sessions, we often begin outside the water with floating or styled floral setups. If this is something you’re drawn to, please be specific ahead of time so we can plan and source together.

Ocean conditions are always changing. While I’ll keep a close eye on visibility and tides, they can’t be guaranteed. If the water is rough and we need to go ahead on the booked date, I’ll recommend switching to the pool for clearer results and a more relaxed experience.

AFTER YOUR SESSION

You’ll receive your full digital gallery within 3 to 4 weeks. If you fall in love with more images than expected, gallery upgrades are always available.

I’m here for anything you need — questions, styling ideas, inspiration, or support. This is such a unique and powerful kind of shoot and I can’t wait to create something unforgettable with you.

I can’t wait to document this special time mermaid style!

For any further questions, please check my FAQ . I look forward to creating beautiful, authentic memories with you!