Underwater portraits

We recently spent a long sunny day poolside (well, Mischa was in the pool, I was poolside) to build our portfolio of underwater portraits.

We had three gorgeous pregnant volunteers who spent energy they didn’t necessarily have to spare getting dolled up and dunking themselves repeatedly in the deep end of a saltwater pool.

In addition to our pregnant mamas Julie, Liz and Natalie, (and their toddlers) we also had Jess & Eric, our real newlywed couple and Kylie, our teen-aged “ringer” who already had experience being photographed underwater by Mischa from her family’s portrait session in the Fall.

Modeling is tough! Add to that the element of water and you have a truly challenging set of variables. It’s not just look at the camera, smile and try to act naturally… it’s also hold your breath and try not to float awkwardly to the surface!

Julie was first in the pool. Determined to get her 2 year old home in time for his nap, we are so glad to have had this opportunity to photograph her beautiful pregnant belly. Her second son, Jude, decided to come earlier than expected and was born yesterday afternoon. A little over three weeks since Mischa took this photograph. (everyone is healthy & happy)

Next up was 2 year old Ella. What a little fish! She made it look so easy. Just a few takes in her pretty ruffled dress and her perfect little self was off to school for the day. We hope Ella wants to model for us again in the future!

Ella’s mama, Natalie, looks like a magical water nymph here in my favorite of all the day’s images.

I. can’t. even.

The light, her dress, even the delicate sparkling bubbles above her head look other worldly. A perfect silent moment between a mother and her growing baby. I always come back to this image and smile.

Kylie was as comfortable underwater as we remembered and rocked the long flowing fabric Mischa brought along with floral arrangements by Cheryl of Accents by Sage, designed specifically to be submerged. How gorgeous are these?! It was too hard to choose just one favorite…and there are more!

My favorite image of Liz, unfortunately, doesn’t show her face (or her makeup by Beela or her hair by Deborah, d’oh!). But this pregnant goddess had the most awesome reflection photo of the day. (and her daughter Avery was a delight to hang out with during the shoot)

In addition to modeling, and being underwater, Jess and Eric had the added challenge of interacting. Here, with another unique underwater floral design by Accents by Sage which includes dangling crystals.

There’s something extra romantic about the implied quiet of these underwater portraits.

Extra special thanks to all of our volunteer underwater portrait models and their kids, makeup artist Beela from Henna Moods, hair stylist Deborah Fischer, floral artist Cheryl from Accents by Sage, Natalie & Jeff for the use of your awesome pool and home on a triple digit day.

* and aloe, for the serious sunburn Mischa came home with after hours in the pool.

Keep watching our pages and our blog for more images from this underwater shoot and future underwater work. If you’ve always wanted to be photographed underwater or think you might be a great model for an underwater concept shoot, let us know! We love to experiment with our craft and refine our techniques.