🌊 A Moment Captured: Finalist in Capture Magazine’s “Top Emerging Australian Photographer Awards”

I’m beyond honoured to share that one of my underwater images “Surrender”, has been selected as a finalist in the Single Shot category of Capture magazine’s Australia's Top Emerging Photographers 2025.

This recognition means so much; not just for me, but for everything that goes into the kind of photography I create. The salt-stained skin, early mornings, the calm chaos of working with breath-holding bodies and wild water, the emotional and creative labour of weaving story through sea. Every frame begins with the planning, long before the shutter clicks under the surface.

To have one of those moments acknowledged by a panel of industry leaders is incredibly humbling.

Why this image matters

The “single shot” category is all about impact. One frame. One chance to tell a full story.

My finalist image “Surrender” was created during one of my immersive underwater sessions with Argentinian National Freediving Champion- Luciana Blanco Villegas.   I work with clients who crave something deeper, brands who want assets that create more connection and publications who want to move their readers. And this frame felt like all of that in one heartbeat: presence, power and connection beneath the surface.

What it means to me

This recognition isn’t just a pat on the back; it’s fuel. It's validation that there’s a place for storytelling that’s slow, soulful and submerged. That underwater portraiture, when done with intention, can move people.

As a self-taught photographer, freediver, mother and someone who swapped a law career for saltwater and storytelling; this moment reminds me that you can reinvent yourself. You can chase dreams at any age.

What’s next?

This finalist recognition has fired me up for what’s ahead. I’m continuing to create meaningful ocean-centred art for brands, families and individuals seeking authenticity, transformation and reconnection—with nature, and themselves.

If you're looking for a photography experience that’s as empowering as it is beautiful, I’d love to hear from you.

📸 Huge thank you to Capture Magazine and the judging panel. You can view all the finalists here and read more about the competition in their latest issue.

🧠 How Water Heals: The Science Behind Blue Mind and the Mammalian Dive Reflex

🌊 Introduction: The Healing Power of Water

As an underwater photographer, surfer, and trained freediver, I’ve witnessed firsthand the profound shift that happens when people immerse themselves in the ocean. But it’s more than just a feeling—science backs it up. From stress relief to emotional regulation; water has the power to heal, reset and reconnect us.

In this post, I’ll walk you through two powerful pieces of ocean science that influence every photoshoot I do: Blue Mind theory and the Mammalian Dive Reflex.

💙 What Is Blue Mind?

Blue Mind is a term coined by marine biologist Dr. Wallace J. Nichols. It describes the meditative, peaceful state we experience when we're near, in, on or under water.

When you step into the sea, something changes. The noise of daily life fades. Your nervous system slows down. You breathe deeper. The waves, the light, the rhythm—all of it helps bring your body and mind into balance.

✅ The science says:

• Cortisol (stress hormone) levels drop

• Heart rate and breathing slow

• Mental clarity and creativity increase

• It improves sleep and emotional wellbeing

If you’ve ever come home from a swim feeling like a new person—now you know why.

🐬 What Is the Mammalian Dive Reflex?

Here’s where it gets even more fascinating.

The Mammalian Dive Reflex is a built-in survival response shared by humans, dolphins and other marine mammals. When your face is submerged in cool water, three amazing things happen:

1. Your heart rate slows (bradycardia)

2. Blood flow is redirected to vital organs

3. Your body conserves oxygen and energy

This creates a deep physiological calm. It’s the reason a gentle float underwater can bring immediate relief from anxiety or sensory overload. It's also why my shoots include breathwork and moments of stillness; they activate this reflex in a gentle, intentional way.

I’ve seen this reset my neurodiverse children’s nervous systems, I’ve experienced he peace and regulation myself and I’ve witnessed clients relax into immersive sessions and exited the water revitalised and transformed.

📸 Why This Matters in My Photography

When you book a shoot with me, you’re not just getting beautiful underwater images. You’re being invited into a moment of reconnection; with your mind, body, and nature.

I work with people who are often busy, burnt out or feeling disconnected. And when we dive in together, the water does something incredible. It holds space. It heals. It restores.

Whether you're a freediver, a mother or a brand founder—this isn’t just a photoshoot. It's an experience designed to nourish your nervous system while creating art that tells your story.

🐚 Want to Feel It for Yourself?

If you're craving stillness, reconnection, or just something real—the ocean is waiting.

🌊 Book your own underwater photography session
📩 Contact me here or browse available shoot packages

Let’s create something powerful—one breath at a time.