Grace_underwater

Hanging out in a bait ball under a pier, watching massive tarpon dive bomb and hunt, is my idea of a very good time.

Being published in Scuba Diving magazine has long been a personal dream and milestone for me as an underwater photographer. There is something incredibly special about seeing an image in print and knowing it will find its way into the hands of divers around the world. This publication has held a special place in my heart for years and has inspired so many of my own underwater adventures.

I’m beyond grateful to be recognized alongside so many talented photographers—and especially proud to bring a little fame and glory to a common subject from my favorite local dive site, Blue Heron Bridge.

A beautiful hawksbill sea turtle, one of my favorite subjects to connect with and to photograph.

So excited for the opportunity to give back to the subjects that provide me so much joy underwater. I’ll soon be headed to St. Croix with my friends National Save The Sea Turtle Foundation to document the amazing work they do in the field. Stay tuned for lots more turtle content!

A seahorse image I’ve been dreaming of all summer.

I’ve visited this photogenic seahorse several times over the last few months. I knew I wanted to create a close-focus wide-angle image of her, but I also knew a lot of things would have to perfectly line up.

I needed her perched in just the right spot so I could get low in the muck and shoot upward. I needed the sun in the right position above to catch those angled beams filtering through the water. And I needed the right gear to bring the image I had in my head to life.

Then on this particular early morning dive at the bridge with my EMWL in hand, fortunately, it all came together.

I often find I’m most productive when I enter the water with an image in mind rather than simply exploring to see what I can find. There’s something so satisfying about imagining a photograph before it exists—and then finally seeing all the pieces fall into place, even if it takes several dives for it to come to fruition.

I’d love to hear how everyone else approaches shooting: with spontaneous inspiration, or more intentional planning?

I’ve been getting lots of questions about the annual goliath grouper aggregation happening in Jupiter right now. Yes, the massive fish are here, they arrived right on schedule in late July. And no, we have not yet reached the peak of the action! Over the next few weeks we should see more come in alongside massive schools of baitfish. I’ll be diving out here with them on our deep wrecks weekly to monitor and will share updates - but until then, here’s a few that were stacked up on the Esso Bonaire this past week.

It’s one of my favorite times of the year to dive here locally, and I hope you can join us on Kyalami Divers - Jupiter Scuba Diving & The Scuba Club for some double dip wreck dives, happening every Wednesday. We’ve been so fortunate to have excellent dive conditions for the season so far - great viz in blue water, manageable current and flat seas. I’m particularly excited to go out this upcoming week around the full moon! Who’s going to join me?

Our latest Destination Portfolio, by Grace Pempek, showcases the iconic soft and hard corals of the Red Sea alongside its massive fish schools and wrecks—and friendly residents like this hawksbill.

Read the full feature on DPG --> https://uwpho.to/4pLpX6Q

One of my favorite aspects of diving in the Red Sea was all the marine life. Friendly turtles and approachable fish were abundant on pretty much every dive, and they made for some pretty charming subjects.

Still dreaming about those Red Sea soft corals. 🩷 ❤️ 🧡

A stunning coral garden photographed with a circular fisheye lens during a day trip to Bangka Island from Siladen Resort & Spa

Read Grace Pempek's trip report on Siladen --> https://uwpho.to/45s8OX2

This seahorse was so radiant, it seemed to be glowing from the inside each time my strobe light touched it. I love spending time with these amazing little animals underwater.