How to Prepare For Your Underwater Photoshoot

Have you had your sights set on an underwater photoshoot, but aren’t too sure how to get ready for it  or where to even begin? The entire process may seem a bit overwhelming — especially if this is your first time — but it doesn’t have to be. 

As an underwater photographer, I’ve learned that one of the worst things you can do when booking any underwater photo session is to show up unprepared. You want to be physically and mentally prepared for your shoot. 

The good news is that you’ve come to the right place! For an unforgettable, epic underwater photoshoot I have a few tips to make sure you walk into your session feeling confident and able to make the most of your time in the ocean with me so we can get some great portraits! 

Choose the Right Bathing Suit

When planning for an underwater photo session, it’s important to be mindful of what bathing suit you’re choosing to wear during your time in the sea.  Although comfort is key to helping you look and feel confident during your shoot, you’ll want to be a little more mindful when it comes to what style and cover you go with. 

I recommend choosing a simple bathing suit style, such as a sleek one-piece or bikini. It’s important to stay away from any string bikinis or suits that have loose material or flowy skirts. The last thing you want is a bathing suit that’s distracting and takes away from your gorgeous portraits.

Color is also important when choosing the right bathing suit for an underwater photoshoot. I always advise my clients to wear simple bathing suits in neutral colors, such as black or white. If you want to wear something more colorful, consider shades that can be found in the ocean, such as green or blue. I highly recommend staying away from reds or any neon colors for your underwater photos, as these tend to not photograph well and can overpower your surroundings! 

As an underwater photographer, I can tell you that it’s best to lean towards solid colors versus prints like floral, stripes or paisley. I also advise staying away from big logos (i.e. Nike). These can draw attention away from the magic of your portraits! In general, remember that less is more when it comes to underwater pictures.

For your underwater session, I generally don’t suggest wearing extras like babydolls, cover-ups or sheer dresses, as these can get in the way and make it more difficult to get those stunning underwater poses. That being said, if you choose a land and sea package, you can absolutely wear them in beach photos if you want to! 

Practice Swimming Beforehand

If you have a few months before your underwater photo session, it would be a good idea to brush up on your swimming skills ahead of time. Consider hitting up the public pool, the gym pool, or the pool in your backyard to swim. 

I recommend seeing how long you can hold your breath underwater and how long you can tread water. If it’s not very long, you might want to start building up your tolerance and working on these skills before your underwater adventure photoshoot with me. During our session, we could be in the water for 25 minutes at a time (or even longer), so the stronger the swimmer you are, the better! Keep in mind that it’s harder to tread water in the ocean than it is in a pool.

If you’re not a confident swimmer, I recommend getting swimming lessons to prepare for your underwater photoshoot. 

Prepare For Wildlife Encounters

While we’re in the ocean for your underwater photoshoot, there’s always a chance that we might encounter marine wildlife! Not only does this create a memorable experience for both of us, but wildlife can make a magical addition to your portraits! 

It’s important to always remain calm at all times during an underwater photo session, but especially when marine life is involved! We might come across fish, sea turtles, manta rays, jellyfish, and even sharks. While nurse sharks aren’t aggressive, remaining calm is always key! 

To be on the safe side, I always wear a shark-repellent band. You might want to consider buying one for yourself if it makes you feel more secure during our underwater adventure and ease any anxiety you may have!

If wildlife is something that scares you, that’s okay! We can always talk about it ahead of time. In the past, I have used a drone to ensure that there were no sharks in the ocean to help my client feel more at ease about our underwater photoshoot because comfort and safety are key when out in the ocean with me! 

Work Through Any Fears Before Your Photoshoot

Whether you’re afraid of marine life, the ocean itself or swimming in the deep, it’s best to try to work through your fears ahead of time. 

As your underwater photographer, I will do everything in my power to ensure that you feel safe and comfortable as we explore the sea. It may reassure you to know that I’m currently in the process of becoming CPR and lifeguard certified to give my clients some peace of mind about how safe they are with me!

Although I will do my best to accommodate you, my main goal is to shoot gorgeous underwater photos of you. This is why I ask you to do your part and try your best to work through any fears you may have of the ocean. 

Be sure to schedule a call with me if you want to have a more in-depth conversation about any fears you may have regarding an underwater photoshoot. I’m always happy to chat with you!

Practice Your Poses Ahead of Time 

During your underwater photo session, you’ll need to do more than just swim. You’ll also need to pose! This is how we capture those breathtaking underwater photos!

One of the best things you can do to get ready prepare for your photoshoot is practicing your poses ahead of time. While you’re practicing swimming at your local pool, take a few moments to familiarize yourself with the numerous poses we will be doing in the water. Be sure to check out my free posing guide to help you prepare for your underwater photoshoot! 

Practicing and familiarizing yourself with the poses ahead of time can help you knock them out of the park — but don’t worry! We will spend time practicing them on the day of your shoot before we go deeper into the ocean. I’ll also shoot each pose several times to ensure you have plenty of opportunities to get gorgeous underwater portraits! 

Get a Tan Prior to Your Underwater Photo Session

As an underwater photographer, I highly recommend tanning prior to your photoshoot. Tanning before your session makes it easier for my camera to capture darker skin through clear water. 

Self-tanning or spray tanning is a safe and healthy way to achieve a darker skin tone. Another option may be to lay out in the sun or use tanning beds prior to your underwater photoshoot. If you choose one of the latter options, I advise using the bathing suit you plan to wear during your shoot.

These are just a few tips on how to prepare for your underwater photo session. Choosing the right swimsuit can help us shoot stunning underwater portraits, and taking some time to practice swimming and poses ahead of time can help you feel comfortable on the day of your shoot. Working through any fears ahead of time can also make the whole underwater photoshoot go a lot smoother!

Ready to Book an Underwater Photo Session?

Are you ready to take the leap and do an underwater photoshoot? I’m so excited for you! As an underwater photographer and Florida resident, I offer sessions in the Florida Keys and the Bahamas! But I’m also willing to travel to other locations to help bring your ocean photography dreams to life! Be sure to check out my Top 5 Destinations For an Underwater Photoshoot!

Whether you’re ready to book your underwater photo session or you have more questions, be sure to contact me!