An Unforgettable Underwater Photoshoot Adventure In The Florida Keys

If there’s one thing I love most about being an underwater photographer, it’s that it has allowed me to travel to scenic locations where I’ve been able to create epic, unforgettable portraits of my clients. Not only will they have photos of their underwater adventure for years to come, but they’ll also create memories that’ll last a lifetime! 

Underwater photoshoots have taken me to some amazing locations all over the world where I’ve gotten to explore the beautiful waters of Curaçao, the Bahamas, and Hawaii (just to name a few locations) with my clients. 

This Florida underwater photoshoot took me right off the coast of Islamorada to our dream destination, Alligator Reef. When we arrived, my client, Carley, and I were greeted by vibrant turquoise waters. What made this underwater photoshoot even more special was that we were able to get up close and personal with ocean wildlife, which only added to this already incredible experience! 

Read on to learn more about why this Florida Keys underwater photoshoot is one I’ll treasure forever!

The Start of Our Journey to a Florida Underwater Photoshoot

Finding a perfect spot for this type of shoot was no easy task. I spent the day before our shoot trying to find the perfect beach in the Florida Keys to do this underwater photoshoot and walked away empty-handed. While the beaches and water were gorgeous, they didn’t provide the type of conditions needed to create the best photos possible — especially for the time of year. 

It wasn’t until I stumbled across Alligator Reef Lighthouse that I found just the spot to create these jaw-dropping images! With its endless, clear blue waters and expansive ocean views, this spot was an underwater photographer’s dream. It had everything that I was looking for and it wasn’t too far from the mainland either!

Located 10 minutes off the coast of Islamorada by charter boat, I knew this paradise was everything I’d been looking for in a Florida Keys underwater photoshoot location. This underwater haven provides a beautiful sanctuary for marine life, deep ocean floors, and has insane visibility. It felt like I won the lottery when I discovered this spot for these underwater photos!

On the day of our photoshoot, Carley and I boarded the Islamorada Private Charters boat at around 10 a.m. to start our voyage to the reef. As luck would have it, it was the only day in the next two weeks that was forecasted to have good weather and perfect water clarity — two key ingredients for a successful underwater photoshoot!

After the approximate two-nautical mile boat ride to our destination, Carley and I took to the ocean at the Alligator Reef Lighthouse to get our photo shoot started! 

A Tropical Oasis for a Florida Keys Photoshoot

Alligator Reef couldn’t have been a better location for this Florida underwater photoshoot! The turquoise water was so clear that you could see straight down to the ocean floor AND it provided enough depth for us to get those incredible, expansive shots. 

Carley was a dream client! She was so kind, sweet, and down-to-earth. She also knew the Alligator Reef like the back of her hand, which made my job so much easier.  

Much to my surprise, Carley was also an experienced diver and expert swimmer! With the water around the reef being roughly 8 feet deep, being a strong swimmer is ideal for underwater photoshoots like these. Having spent many years in Florida, Carley knew firsthand how unforgiving the ocean can be and how important it is to be a strong, confident swimmer. An underwater photoshoot may not be ideal for everyone, but if you have a love for the ocean and strong swimming skills, this kind of shoot is a must for you! 

Once in the ocean, Carley and I spent 45 minutes diving and swimming along Alligator Reef as I captured her in breathtaking photos. Posing underwater is very unique and that’s why I always help guide my clients through poses during our underwater photoshoots to ensure we get those beautiful ocean portraits! Carley was a natural! She was great at taking direction and she was willing to try any pose. The end result was absolutely incredible photos of her underwater adventure!

Magical Encounters During a Florida Underwater Photoshoot

The most magical part about this Florida Keys underwater photoshoot was the wildlife we encountered. These close encounters are what set this type of adventure photoshoot apart from others and make it memorable! You never know what you’ll come into contact with and every experience is unique. An adventure photoshoot like this is an amazing opportunity for you to be up close and personal with marine wildlife and get images that’ll last a lifetime!

One of the things I loved most about working with Carley for this underwater photoshoot was that she was down for anything! I told her that I would love to photograph her with a shark or sea turtle. Her response? “I can find a sea turtle, hold on!” She dove deeper into the water and kindly corralled one over to me. The sea turtle made for one of the most beautiful photos I shot for this Florida underwater photoshoot. 

Sea turtles weren’t the only marine life we encountered at the reef. We also saw a barracuda and some tropical fish!

Encountering marine wildlife during underwater photoshoots is something you can’t plan for. But when it does happen, it’s an experience unlike any other! Coming across sea animals makes for extra special and gorgeous photos — and that’s not to mention the memories you make when you come face-to-face with a sea turtle or beautiful fish! These types of encounters are a dream come true for both the client and the underwater photographer!

This Florida underwater photoshoot was an absolute dream come true! I had such an amazing time creating ocean portraits of Carley at her adventure photoshoot! 

Want to Book an Underwater Photoshoot? 

Do you feel that a Florida Keys underwater photoshoot might be a good fit for you? Be sure to check out 5 things to know before booking an underwater photoshoot. I would love to turn your underwater photoshoot dreams into reality! 

If you’re interested in a Florida underwater photoshoot, I have some exciting news. I’ve just relocated to Florida! I’m looking forward to being able to capture more underwater adventures with people who want to explore the deep blue ocean with me in Florida — and beyond! I’m going to be just a short distance from the Bahamas, too.

But these aren’t the only places I’d travel to help you capture some beautiful ocean memories as your underwater photographer! I love to travel to new and scenic locations to photograph clients as they explore the waters.

If you’re interested in booking an underwater photoshoot in Florida or anywhere else, please feel free to reach out to me. I’d love to work with you to plan and photograph an underwater adventure that you’ll remember for years to come!