Underwater Photographer

Creative Underwater Portraits

Hi, I’m Paul! I’ve been an underwater photographer for the last 20 yrs but more recently started to specialise in something very special, Underwater Portraiture. I am one of the very few underwater photographers in the UK that specialise in these special portraits.

These are shot in a swimming pool (not in a tank, like some others) with specialist lighting and equipment to ensure the finest quality and versatility on every photoshoot. I love to see movement in my work and not two shoots are ever the same.

Why would you want an underwater photoshoot? Are you looking for something different to a traditional Maternity Photoshoot? Getting married? or just that you are looking great and want to celebrate a special time in your life?

Underwater portraits aren’t just pictures, they are works of art with you at the very centre, why not treat yourself to something special, lets face it how many of your friends have a picture like these hanging on their wall.

Wow what can I say!!! Paul Dale is literally the BEST underwater photographer EVERRRRR!!!

In my first set of photos alone I was blown completely out the park by the images he had taken. The location and setting was beautiful he was professional, fun and easy going.

I literally had the best day of my life shooting with Paul and I cannot wait to go back again. I am an up and coming underwater Model and I genuinely feel like the images Paul has created for me will probably be the start of my career in the water, they are just so professional and HIGH END QUALITY. I can’t thank him enough. #Hero #Legend

Danica

Our relationship starts long before we get in the water, we will have discussed what you want to achieve from the shoot and the sort of style that you like.

The photoshoot takes place in a private pool in Surrey although if you have your own swimming pool we can discuss having the underwater photoshoot at yours!

On the day before we get in the water we go through some basics of posing and breathing so that you will look nice and relaxed and confident during the session.

I have a growing number of outfits for people to choose from which I call my ‘Dress Up’ box which has some lovely dresses, satin material, plus flower crowns. So plenty of choice! I still encourage clients to bring their own choices too.

The sessions themselves are either 1-1’s or small group sessions. Either way you’ll be given plenty of time to have a breather and change outfits. Normally you are only underwater for about an hour in total, but your whole session will be much longer due to your recovery time between sets.

Each set is around 15 minutes, we talk about the pose that I am looking for (communication underwater is a bit tricky!) and then I submerge. You don’t need to be underwater long 5 – 10 seconds is more than enough.

I will, wherever possible, show you the back of the camera so you can see your progress.

Afterwards you will receive your online gallery to peruse the pictures. This is very much just the starting point towards the finished article!

The edits take around 7 days to complete and we can discuss what options you would like for delivery of your work of art.

Maternity Photography

So this is very different to almost all maternity photographers, what better way to celebrate such a special event in your life than to have a beautiful piece of art adorning your walls of something that you will cherish forever.

*Please note that for safety reasons all Underwater Maternity Photoshoots are conducted on a one to one basis only*

These photoshoots are a much more relaxed pace, so you have time to enjoy the experience and ease yourself in gently. I always recommend that you take time between each set just to chill before coming back in.

Also if your partner wishes to join you for the ultimate maternity couples shoot then I am more than happy for this to happen (but please let me know in advance).

I had a maternity underwater shoot and it was really great. The session lasted for 2 hours and I tried different looks and postures.

It was harder than it looks but Paul was very patient and had given me lots of advice & tips

And the photos are really great and stunning. Really thank you for all of the great works of art!

Kathy

More Interested in just being a Mermaid?

I also run sessions where you can get the chance to try your first tail and swim with a former Miss Mermaid UK, as well as get some great shots of you swimming underwater.

Click Here

Underwater bridal shot with beautiful flowers

Pregnant lady Underwater covered in pink flowing satin

Underwater maternity photoshoot in Camberley (Surrey)

Underwater duo portrait in long flowing dresses

Stunning underwater image of model in satin

Underwater models posing during their underwater photoshoot in Surrey

Beautiful model underwater Photoshoot in a cream wedding dress in Camberley (Surrey)

Underwater ballet dancer wearing a white bodysuit against a purple backdrop, with red fabric flowing

Made it this far? now is the exciting bit, just choose what type of session you want and then add in the photo package you want to accompany it. Once you’ve made those decisions then you just need to contact me about your underwater photoshoot and arrange a date 🙂

What Type of Session?

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Which Picture collection?

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Your Bespoke package

Small Group

Great for a couple of friends or to keep costs down

£ 175/Session Fee Per Person

Minimum 2 People- Maximum 3 People
4 x 15 min sessions
Multiple changes in sets & outfits
Online Gallery to choose your edits
Please note this does not include images you will need to choose your image package that suits you best, from below.

One to One

Great if you just want to indulge yourself or Maternity Session

£300/Session Fee

This is a two hour session with just you and I in the pool
No limit to the number or timing to the sessions
Online gallery with 1-1 consultation to choose your favourite images
Please note your images are not included in this price, you will need to choose the image package that best suits you from the collections below.

**Once you have chosen if you would like a Small Group session or a One to One (Please note maternity photoshoots are only done on a one to one basis) , then choose your picture collection from below.**

Silver Collection

£200

5 Fully edited pictures of your choice
Delivered to you by secure digital download
Additional edits £35

Gold collection

£400

5 Fully edited files
These are beautifully printed on premium paper for a spectacular looking finish on either Fuji Flex or Hahnemuhle PhotoRag depending on the look that you want (I can advise you the best one to go for)
Pictures will be presented on 5mm Foamboard so that they can be put straight on the wall.
These will be sized :- Three 5″ x 6.5″ & Two 10″ x 8″ (Digitals included)
Additional edits £30 (digital only – prints extra)

Platinum Collection

£600

Additional two edits (so you now have 7 to choose!)
Prints are now upgraded to the following:
Six 5″ x 6.5″ prints mounted to 5mm Foamboard plus one 15″ x 12″
£100 credit towards wall art of your favorite picture mounted on acryllic or framed.
Additional edits £25 (digital only – prints extra)

What else do I need to know about an Underwater Photoshoot?

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Q : Do I need to be able to swim?

A: No, although it really helps to be comfortable in the water. I always start off the session in the shallow end which is 4ft deep so you can easily stand up. In fact a lot of my work is done in the shallows or just below the surface.

If I’m satisfied that you are able to shoot in the deep end then we will do so, but for your safety there is a safety diver purely to look after you.

Q : I’ve never done anything like this before, so how do I know I’ll get some decent pictures?

A: Many of my clients are first timers, so I am used to talking you through how to get the best from your underwater photoshoot. We will always make sure you are comfortable throughout, and by the end of the session you’ll be wanting to do another as they really are addictive, it s one of the many reasons I love being an underwater photographer.

Q: Where do you do the underwater photoshoot?

A: I use a private pool in Camberley (Surrey) as a preferred venue, as it well looked and normally around 29 degrees. If you have your own pool then I can bring my equipment to you in the London, Surrey, Berkshire and Hampshire areas.

Q: Do I have to open my eyes underwater?

A: This does help create the illusion although many of my pictures where clients are looking up its difficult to tell.. so I wouldn’t worry!

Q: I don’t have anything to wear?

A: I have a growing wardrobe of dresses (in Maternity sizes too) which are perfect for the flowing look I like to see in my pictures (These also include a couple of wedding dresses). I also have a box full of different coloured fabrics you can use.

If you have something particular that you would like to wear please bring it, but please note that chlorine can ruin clothes so be prepared that it my not be pristine afterwards.

Q: Is it possible to bring my wedding dress?

A: Absolutely! this is my go to genre, it may not be suitable to take to the deep end depending on how long it is and you should also be prepared that the dress may not remain pristine afterwards due to the chemicals in the pool.

Q: What sort of hair and makeup should I do for an underwater photoshoot?

A: This is probably one of the easiest photoshoot you will ever have to prepare for. I actually advise clients not to do anything with their hair and maybe a little makeup around the eyes, thats it. In fact the more product you have on your face/hair the quicker the visibility will deteriorate.

Q: For an Underwater Maternity shoot, how many weeks should I be?

A: The last trimester is the one to aim for, anything over 30 weeks is perfect as your bump is more pronounced. I would encourage you to book your maternity shoot as soon as you can, as I get booked up quickly for these shoots and of course this shoot has a date that it has to be completed by.

Q: Do you shoot groups?

A: No I don’t as this becomes very complex, I find that a maximum of two people in the water at a time is perfect. So you and a spouse, mother & baby etc. I do however love doing couples shoots, so whether this is a special gift for a loved one or your other half wants to join in on their maternity shoot these are all something I can do.

Q: How do you communicate if we shoot underwater?

A: Before we sink I will discuss with you what I’m looking for you to do, I will go under first and you come down when you are ready. In the time we are under there is no communication, but don’t worry myself and my safety crew are watching you 🙂

Once we get back to the surface we review what went well and discuss how to change things for the next time we go under.

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Have some more questions about an Underwater photoshoot?

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