Valley Voyager

"Freediving around the cliffside boulders of the Azores makes you feel incredibly small. The dramatic drop-offs of these volcanic rocks, combined with the chilly waters, create an eerie sensation as you enter the naturally-formed caves. Exploring this underwater landscape was one of the highlights I looked forward to when my friends first invited me to the Azores. We swam 20 meters under the hanging cliffside, into a rocky cavern, as we prepared for our dives. I would signal to the model with the OK sign both in and out of the water, checking in with her and ensuring everything was okay. I started my descent a little early to position myself for the shot. As I watched her freefall, I made a “grouper call” sound with my throat, signaling her to stop sinking and prepare for her ascension— the perfect pose for the concept I had in mind. I directed her to turn profile to me underwater, creating a more defined human silhouette. With slow, graceful kicks, she began her ascent, and I captured the action frame by frame. The unique underwater rock formations of the Azores are the result of volcanic activity. The islands were formed by the convergence of three tectonic plates, creating rugged landscapes both above and below the ocean."