For most of my underwater shoots, clients opt for a pool option. When this certified diver asked about her mermaid maternity shoot in Lake George, NY, a 5-hour road trip did not stand in the way to that wildly gorgeous location, beating any tiled pool. Did it live up to my imagination? Let’s dive in!
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Mermaid Maternity Shoot Options
Capturing the ethereal beauty of pregnancy is an art form that has taken on new dimensions with any underwater mermaid maternity shoot. These sessions, sometimes set in the enchanting realms of lakes or seas, offer an unforgettable experience for expectant mothers. Whether conducted in the expansive freedom of open water or the controlled environment of a pool, each setting provides unique pros and cons.
However, with the abundance of underwater photo sessions I’ve done in pools, going into the open water has that edge factor, even if blunt sometimes.
Ah, and making do without any water by mimicking the underwater feel in a standard dry photo studio with digital art has become an alternative approach, each with its own set of benefits and challenges.
The Allure of Open Water: Lakes and Seas
The first obvious advantage is natural beauty, of course. A lake or sea’s natural environment provides a breathtaking backdrop that is impossible to replicate fully in a controlled setting. The play of sunlight through water, the presence of aquatic flora and fauna, and the vast, open expanse contribute to a truly magical atmosphere.
Another relevant pro is authenticity. Shooting in a real lake or sea offers an authentic experience that adds depth and realism to the photographs. The natural buoyancy and movement in open water allow for more dynamic and organic poses.
Lastly, unique lighting has the potential to create stunning visual effects, with beams of sunlight filtering through the water and creating beautiful patterns and highlights. You may get the same effect in a pool, of course, but those beams surely look more magical against the flora and rocks than ceramic tiles.
Of course, there are cons, and the main one is unpredictable conditions. The open water environment can be unpredictable, with variables like water temperature, weather, and water clarity affecting the shoot. These factors can sometimes pose challenges for both the photographer and the expectant mother.
Organizing a shoot in a natural body of water can be logistically complex. Travel to and from the location, transporting equipment, and securing necessary permits or even airfare will add to the overall cost and effort. Most of my underwater sessions took place in the Caribbean.
Fitness and exhaustion could be a concern to some, especially expecting moms. Unlike a pool, there is no wall edge to hold on to in the open water. Having a floating device is a must, but they aren’t as firm and supportive over a long period of time. If you don’t stand in the water, you get tired much sooner.
Safety is a significant consideration in open-water shoots. Ensuring the mother’s comfort and security in potentially deep or rough waters requires careful planning and often the presence of additional safety personnel, as we had two people by the side of my client this time.
The Comfort of a Pool
A pool’s biggest advantage is its controlled environment. It offers a setting with stable conditions, such as consistent water temperature and clarity (although there are negative factors that I have encountered, too). This predictability can result in smoother, more efficient photo sessions.
As a result, pool shoots are generally more convenient to organize, with readily available facilities and fewer logistical challenges. This can make them a more accessible option for many mothers.
Lastly, pools provide a safer and more comfortable environment for expectant mothers. The shallow and calm water allows for easier poses and less physical strain.
On the flip side, the pool’s limited aesthetics may lack the natural beauty and organic elements found in open water. The backdrop may appear more artificial, requiring additional creativity in post-processing or converting a pool into a “studio” with a fabric background and even a roof. Both of these advanced options carry additional fees.
Less dynamic lighting is another culprit. While pools allow for some control over lighting, they may not offer the same dynamic interplay of natural light found in lakes or seas. Artificial lighting setups can sometimes fall short of creating the same magical effect.
Studio Magic: Dry Studio and Digital Art
With the advance of digital art and AI-generated content, many photographers started exploring a digital alternative to underwater photography.
Shooting in a standard dry studio offers ultimate control over all elements, including lighting, temperature, and posing. This control can lead to higher-quality images with fewer variables to manage.
Comfort and ease are the other attractive factors for both the photographer and the client. Expectant mothers can remain dry and comfortable, reducing the physical strain and potential risks associated with underwater shoots. This approach is also ideal for those who may have health concerns or water-related anxieties.
Creative flexibility is the ultimate pro here, though. Digital enhancements and AI-generated images can transform standard portraits into stunning underwater scenes. This method allows for limitless creativity, with the ability to experiment with various backgrounds and elements without the constraints of physical environments.
With all the “ease” and comfort of dry studio / digital art approach, why not just do it? It has major issues…
First and foremost, there is a lack of authenticity. While digital art can be visually stunning, it often lacks the authenticity and organic feel of a real underwater shoot. At times, it’s just horrendous or amateurish, at best. The absence of real water movement and natural buoyancy can sometimes make poses appear less natural.
The next important consideration is post-processing effort and costs. Creating a convincing underwater effect through digital means requires significant post-processing skills and time. Achieving a realistic and high-quality result can be a complex and demanding task that translates into money. For example, my digital art is about $100-200 per image (on top of any underwater package price), so if you count on 5-10 images, as included in most underwater sessions, you’ll be overpaying! Plus, you wouldn’t get to keep all underwater proofs, even if minimally edited. That’s still dozens, if not hundreds, of cool images that look as authentic as they get!
Mermaid Maternity Shoot in Lake George
Now, meet Kate! She’s not only a PADI-certified (that’s Professional Association of Diving Instructors) but also a devoted after-hours mermaid! No wonder she has an IG account @UpstateMermaid, right? She’s so mermaid that she flies across the country to the Mermaid Freedive Summit, a cool experience for like-minded enthusiasts. If you’re seriously into this, you gotta check out what they offer!
So, Katie lives in upstate NY, not far from Lake George, and asked if I’d considered driving there. A mermaid maternity shoot in the lake that I’ve heard a lot about but haven’t visited yet? You bet. Traveling across the state, country, or the world is never an issue.
I made sure to send her my new 10-Step Client’s Guide to Epic Underwater Photo Shoot to help prepare and familiarize herself with the many aspects and challenges of her mermaid maternity shoot.
We started on the ground near their campsite on a secluded island. I couldn’t resist comparing those moments and shots with a maternity shoot I did in Alaska, both in the tundra and on the slopes of snowy mountains.
Then, we took a boat to another nook the guys knew. We still started on the ground, although not dry anymore. Her husband joined and diligently stayed with us through the rest of the tough shoot.
It was time to go underwater. First, we continued with her first outfit in shallow water. This presented a big challenge mentioned above: unpredictable or uncontrollable water clarity. Actually, the water was clear enough, but the bed was covered with soft mud, easily disturbed by minor moves that we inevitably made. I still love the surreal feel of those images!
Katie changed into her mermaid maternity shoot outfit. See this stunning fin? Knowing something about Katie now, you wouldn’t think she bought it cheap on Amazon, would you? Those masterpieces are handmade by Finfolk Productions and Merbella Studios. Another killer mermaid outfit came to my mind, which I used for a romance anniversary photoshoot in Jamaica. Unfortunately, that one would have been too exquisite and heavy underwater, so we stayed ashore.
I suggested to the couple that we touch on the mermaid saving a human concept.
To change her mermaid maternity shoot flow around, Katie used a third outfit. By that fourth hour, we were all pretty exhausted and could only use this dress briefly.
Lastly, I gave free rein to my imagination and took several days (there’s your $200 fee) to create this piece for my Fantasy Art collection. With this eye-stopper, our mermaid maternity shoot took the best of both worlds—authentically shot underwater and creatively complemented by advanced digital art to match the lighting, color, and even outfit design.
Conclusion
An underwater mermaid maternity shoot offers a unique and enchanting way to capture the beauty of pregnancy, whether in the vastness of open water or the controlled environment of a pool. Each setting provides its own set of advantages and challenges, allowing mothers to choose the experience that best suits their comfort and creative vision.
For those seeking the underwater aesthetic without the wet experience, studio shoots enhanced with digital art offer a compelling alternative. These shoots combine comfort with boundless creative possibilities. Ultimately, the choice between these options depends on personal preferences, logistical considerations, and the desired artistic outcome.
Behind the Scenes
Here’s my quick reel from that mermaid maternity shoot. I also have GoPro footage from a family member who accompanied us, but I will make it part of another video later.
