Essential Gear for Underwater Photography Shoots: What I Use and Why It Matters

📸 Why Gear Matters in Underwater Photography

Underwater photography is equal parts art, science and safety. It's not just about having a good camera; it's about trusting your gear to perform in unpredictable environments, while keeping you and your subject safe.

As a trained freediver, surfer and photographer, I’ve refined my underwater kit over years of practice in Australia’s ever-changing ocean conditions. Whether I’m photographing a family float session, a powerful solo portrait or a brand campaign, my gear needs to deliver clarity, colour, safety and flow.

Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at what I use and recommend.

🧰 My Essential Underwater Photography Kit

1. Camera Body

👉 Current choice: Canon EOS R5
Why I love it: Incredible performance, fast autofocus and premium image quality—perfect for capturing motion in low light conditions under the surface.

2. Underwater Housing

👉 Current choice: AquaTech Elite II Housing
This is your camera’s lifeline underwater. I choose AquaTech for its ergonomic design, custom controls and reliability in turbulent surf or calm under the surface conditions.

Pro Tip: Always double-check seals and O-rings before every dive. One missed grain of sand, trapped wire or incomplete attachment can end a camera’s career.

3. Lens Selection

👉 Go-to underwater lense;

• Canon 16-35mm f/2.8 – my ‘go to’ for underwater sessions

When I’m shooting underwater, I mostly have the lens set at it’s widest setting- 16mm.

4. Dome Ports & Flat Ports

👉 Dome ports are ideal for over/under shots and underwater.
👉 Flat ports are great for surf/ above water, macro or more controlled portraiture.

Pro tip: invest in a lens squeegee to clean water droplets in-between shots

🧜‍♀️ Other Must-Haves in My Ocean Kit

5. Freediving Fins AND short body board fins

👉 Long-blade carbon or fiberglass fins = more power, less effort
Stamina underwater matters, especially when you're holding your breath and chasing light.

👉 short bodyboard fins (like DaFin) = great when manoeuvring in shallow water with sandy bottom and to move around quickly with short bursts of power.

6. Wetsuit & Weight Belt

👉 3mm (spring and autumn) and 5mm wetsuit (winter) + weight belt for neutral buoyancy
This lets me stay still in the water column without floating up or sinking too fast—ideal for steady shooting and client safety.

Pro tip: make sure you learn how to weight yourself correctly to ensure your own safety when shooting.

7. Dive Mask & Snorkel

👉 Low-volume freedive mask + snorkel
Clear vision and easy breathing between dives helps maintain flow and comfort.

Pro tip: use baby shampoo to keep your dive mask from fogging during a shoot.

8. Safety Gear

• Surface marker buoy/ float- for visibility and client safety

• Dive buddy or spotter

• Emergency plan

• First aid kit

• First aid training
  Safety always comes first, even in shallow water.

💡 Bonus Tools I Always Carry

• Microfiber towels (for cleaning gear)

• Silica gel packs or tampons (to keep moisture out of housing)

• Spare memory cards + batteries (because you never know!)

• Underwater posing guide (yes, I use my own resources on set!)

🔥 Why This Gear Helps You Get Better Results

All of this gear isn’t just for techy bragging rights. It’s about creating seamless, soulful experiences in the water for clients.

Pro tip: Positive Pre Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance!

Reliable gear means:

✅ better client experience- more time in flow
✅ Less stress for you the photographer
✅ better quality assets
✅ Safety and comfort for everyone involved

When clients step into the ocean with me, they’re trusting me with their image, their story and their safety. Having the right tools allows me to honour that trust with care and creativity and maintain their safety throughout.

🐚 Want to Know More?

Whether you're an aspiring underwater photographer or a client curious about how it all works, I love sharing the ins and outs of what makes these shoots magical. Have a gear question? Just ask- did you know I now offer underwater photography mentoring!

📩 Get in touch with me here or check out my underwater photography guides and presets in the shop.

🧠 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.

Streamline Your Edits + Amplify Your Art: Why I Created Underwater Adobe Lightroom Presets for Photographers

If you've ever tried editing underwater images, you know the struggle: colour casts, inconsistent lighting, strange hues and skin tones that just don’t feel right. As a professional underwater photographer and freediver, I’ve been there—spending hours trying to fix blues that are too murky, greens that steal the magic and tones that simply don’t reflect the true beauty of the underwater world.

That’s why I created my Underwater Lightroom Presets—to bring ease, consistency and a punch of wow-factor to your workflow; so you can spend more time creating and less time tweaking.

🌊 Purpose: Made for the Ocean, by Someone Who Gets It

These presets are handcrafted from hundreds of hours spent underwater and editing in Lightroom. I designed them to enhance the unique lighting conditions we deal with underwater; from deep rock pools and open ocean shots to golden hour shallows. They’re not just “blue fixes”—they’re crafted tools to help you tell stories through colour, tone and mood.

🐠 Achievements: What These Presets Have Helped Me Do

Since using these presets in my own workflow, I’ve:

• Cut down my editing time by over 50%.

• Delivered consistent galleries across complex lighting environments.

• Landed features in publications like Salty Magazine.

• Created social media content that stops the scroll and reflects my signature style.

• Helped many other photographers achieve the perfect shade of blue, elevated their images and streamlined their workflow.

These aren’t just filters; they’re a powerful foundation for developing your unique underwater aesthetic.

⚙️ Workflow Magic: How They Streamline and Amplify

Here’s how they work their magic:

• One-click base edit to balance colour and exposure.

• Smart tonal corrections to recover detail and enhance skin tones.

• AI Subject masking for underwater portraits to achieve perfect skin tones.

• Fully customisable—they’re a jumping-off point, not a creative limit.

No more starting from scratch every time. You’ll develop a faster editing rhythm, freeing up your time and creative energy.

Who Are They For?

These presets are for ocean-loving photographers who:

• Shoot in water (underwater, surf, rock pools, back yard pools).

• Want to speed up editing, while keeping the finished assets natural.

• Value consistency, flow and impact across their galleries and social media.

Whether you're just starting out or deep into your photography journey, these underwater presets are a tool that help you edit with purpose and confidence.

Ready to Dive In?

Check out the collection here. Your underwater art deserves to shine—and your time deserves to be respected.

Let’s create more magic, and less burnout 🌊✨

🌊 5 Actions You Can Take to Help Protect Our Oceans on World Ocean Day- from an Australian Underwater Photographer

As an underwater photographer, freediver, and mother raising her family by the sea, I see firsthand the power the ocean has to heal, inspire and connect us. But I also see the toll we’re taking on it. Plastic pollution tangled in seaweed, reef systems bleaching, wildlife struggling to survive in warming waters and the impact of shark nets and drum lines; the threats are real and are right here on our doorstep.

So what is World Ocean Day?

World Ocean Day is celebrated every year on June 8 to recognise the critical role the ocean plays in sustaining life on Earth. It’s a day to celebrate the sea’s beauty and power; but also to raise awareness of the threats it faces and inspire action to protect it. From coastal communities to global policy changes, it’s a collective call to put the ocean first.

But World Ocean Day isn’t just about awareness—it’s a call to action. So here are 5 realistic, impactful actions you can take to help protect our oceans. No greenwashing. No guilt-tripping. Just empowered choices that ripple outward.

1. Say no to single-use plastic (especially when outdoors)

That cheeky takeaway coffee cup or soft drink bottle on your beach walk? It never stays on land. Take three for the sea. Choose reusables. Make it your norm.

2. Support ocean-friendly brands and local conservation

Put your dollars where your values are. Support local businesses and ocean-focused organisations that prioritise sustainability, reef-safe ingredients, and ethical practices. Better yet—ask questions. Conscious consumers change markets.

3. Vote with your voice and values

Whether it's local council decisions on coastal developments or national climate policy—your voice matters. Sign petitions, write to MPs, share science-backed ocean content. You don’t need a megaphone. Just start talking. The Australian Marine Conservation Society takes real action for our waters and is a great place to start using your voice for change.

4. Reconnect with the water

The more we feel connected, the more we act. Swim. Dive. Snorkel. Let your kids see you love the ocean. Reconnection is the antidote to disconnection—and the spark that lights change.

5. Share ocean stories

Share the beauty, the urgency, and the wonder of the sea. Post your favourite ocean moment. Tell your kids bedtime stories about whales. Book an underwater photo session that celebrates the sea. What we love, we protect.

On this World Ocean Day, remember;it’s not about perfection. It’s about momentum. One action at a time. From the shoreline to the deep blue, your choices matter.

💙 With salt in my hair and purpose in my lens,
Katie x
One Breath Creative

A Salty Celebration: Photographing Olympic Artistic Swimmer, Zoe Poulis, dancing among Green Sea Turtles

Some days I have to pinch myself that this is my job!

I’m beyond excited to share that a series of my underwater images have been published in the winter edition of luxury lifestyle print magazine, Salty Magazine.  Including the FRONT COVER!

The incredible images we captured accompany a stunning feature interview with Olympic Artistic swimmer, Zoe Poulis.

This shoot was something really special.

Zoe and I travelled to the Cook Island Aquatic Reserve, just off the beautiful Fingal coast in Northern NSW; a marine sanctuary known for its clear waters, vibrant coral gardens and resident green sea turtle colony. As soon as we slipped beneath the surface, it was like entering another world; calm, spiritual and buzzing with marine life.

Zoe moved through the water like a ballerina; graceful, strong and deeply connected to the ocean. Watching her swim alongside these peaceful animals was a deeply moving experience. They swam around us, as though they were part of our dance.  

To connect with Zoe in this environment felt like a beautiful meeting of creative enthusiasm and beauty.  Zoe uses her body as her medium, I my camera.   As a fellow ocean lover and freediver, it’s moments like this that make me feel incredibly grateful for this work and this life.

I’m so honoured that Salty Magazine chose to feature Zoe’s story. It’s not just about the unique art that we created; it’s about connection to nature, to our bodies and to the deep emotional pull that the ocean has on so many of us.

Salty Magazine is a “premium lifestyle magazine for those who crave adventure, connection and freedom. Rooted in the South Coast of NSW, Salty celebrates bold experiences, elevated travel, and intentional living.  From luxe travel gems and boutique stays to wellness, authentic living and the creatives shaping the far south coast-  Salty delivers inspiring stories, expert insights and must-visit destinations. Whether you're looking for luxury escapes, coastal adventures, or insider tips on the best places to eat, stay and explore, Salty is your guide to a life well-lived.”  You can order your print copy of read online here.

Thank you to Zoe for trusting me to capture your story in saltwater and sunlight and thank you to Salty Magazine for the feature.

Katie x