9 December 2019

Pool or sea ?

What is the best place for an underwater photoshoot ?
A swimming pool or a natural environment ?
I’ll tell you right now: one is not better than the other! The two are very different! They each have their advantages and constraints. And in both cases, we will make incredible pictures, I swear!
Actually, the choice will depend mainly on you: your project, your aesthetic expectations, your health…
I invite you to explore the characteristics of these two types of sessions before booking your session.

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underwater portrait photoshoot in Bali in a pool or in the sea

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Few tips to choose the place right for you

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IN A SWIMMING POOL

Most of the sessions take place in a pool for obvious reasons of proximity, comfort, convenience and safety, but also for more flexibility in creation.
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– Practicality and comfort

The clothes are nearby. It is easy to get out of the water to change between two sets of poses ; ditto for the accessories. Toilets are available.
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Endurance

Swimming pools always have at least one shallow area where you can walk. Not having to swim all the time avoids getting tired too fast and out of breath, especially since you spend a lot of time on the surface explaining the poses. I highly recommand pool sessions for pregnant women and for children.
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Aesthetics

A pool offers flexibility for creation : we can work as if we were in a photo studio! The atmosphere of the images can be modulated by using a background, by playing with the pool’s architecture (like stairs), by immersing accessories, furnitures, plants…! If more depth is required for specific projects, it’s possible to rent a pool with a diving pit.
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underwater woman photo session in pool

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INTO THE WILD

A natural environment can be the open sea, the beach, a lake, a waterfall… These sessions provide incredible scenery! Even a simple background of white sand immediately gives a very special atmosphere to the pictures.
This usually requires a little more time, logistics, preparation and endurance: but not much to worry about!
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Preparation

If you are not very used to the ocean, it can be a good idea to have a short preparation in pool before the shooting in the sea. (I can organize it.) The idea is not becoming a freediving champion in 2 hours, but learning few tips about breathing and posing underwater, in order to be as relaxed ans comfortable as possible once in the ocean..

Endurance

When you look at pictures taken under the sea, it always looks very easy and very natural, but notice this : the photo sessions at sea are quite physical!
You don’t need to be a great athlete, but you still have to be in pretty good shape. As you have to swim all the time (on the surface for explanations, and underwater for poses), it can quickly become exhausting (especially if there is current).
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Safety

For sessions in a natural environment, we’ll always be accompanied by a safety diver. For pregnancy or child sessions in natural environment, I highly recommend the beach or a shallow place (unless you are a freediving specialist…!).
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Logistics and price

Prices are the same than for pool sessions, but some additional costs may generally be expected for transportation (taxi, ferry, boat…), accommodation (if it’s far), safety (rescue diver)…
Ask me !
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underwater photoshoots in sea in Bali among fish, turtles and corals

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SO…

What will be YOUR best place for an underwater photoshoot ?
I hope you found this article helpful in making your choice. If you have any questions, take a look at the FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS or send me a message!

Are you dreaming about getting your own underwater photoshoot ?

Tell me more about what you have in mind !

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