Nick and Caroline are a husband and wife team of award winning underwater photographers and photo journalists. They will be visiting schools throughout the UK, teaching students about the incredible underwater world and why it needs protecting. We are so thrilled to have them on our team. To see more of their stunning imagery check out their WEBSITE.
Caroline Robertson-Brown is a photo-journalist who specializes in the underwater world. She has a degree in Biology and a Masters in Animal Behavior. She is co-Editor of Underwater Photography at Scubaverse and writes for Sport Diver, as well as other publications in the UK and worldwide. She helps run Frogfish Photography, selling their images, stories, underwater photography equipment and offering tuition and talks. There is nothing Caroline enjoys more that getting in the water, up close, with sharks. “I am very lucky to have traveled to so many wonderful countries, to photograph marine life and then pass on this passion to the people that read our articles”
Nick Robertson-Brown is an award-winning underwater photographer. His recent book “Underwater Photography Art & Techniques” gained him the top award of Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society. Nick also has a degree in Environmental Biology. He first got into conservation work whilst working in the Artic on Climate Change projects. Along with Caroline, we have been working to conserve the marine environment ever since.
1. What is your favorite shark and why?
Caroline – Blue Shark – I love Blue Sharks because they are inquisitive and like to come right up to you when you are in the water with them. They have huge eyes, and look a little bit like Beaker from the Muppets. We get to see them in the waters in the UK where we live.
Nick – I love them all! But I think the Caribbean Reef Shark is my favorite. They are a classic shark shape, a member of the requiem family, and they is not aggressive with divers at all. We have dived with them in the Bahamas, Cuba, Florida & St. Eustatius.
2. What is one species of shark you would like to see in the wild?
Caroline – Tiger Shark – we have tried on a couple of occasions to see Tiger Sharks, and are still waiting to catch a glimpse of our first one.
Nick – The Thresher Shark. We saw one or two a few years ago whilst diving in the Philippines, but I would love to be able to get closer up to them and get some great photos. They have huge caudal fin that makes them very distinctive.
3. How did you get started in underwater photography?
Caroline – It was Nick that got me into underwater photography. I was already a dive instructor and we had our own dive shop in England. When Nick upgraded his camera system, he gave me his old one to try and I fell in love with underwater photography straight away and have not looked back.
Nick – I started out photographing divers whilst working as a dive instructor in the Caribbean, for them to take away as souvenirs. But as digital cameras got better, the draw of photographing sharks became my real passion. Now I have created my own company called Frogfish Photography, that specializes in underwater photography.
4. How do you think imagery can help with conservation?
Caroline – great underwater images will inspire people to love the oceans and in turn protect them. I love to take images of sharks up close to divers to show that they are not the monsters the press portrays then as. You can also take thought provoking, and sometimes unpleasant images to shock people into taking action.
Nick – Images are great for raising awareness, letting people see just how beautiful sharks are. They have an innate beauty that photographs can show people that are not as lucky as us – who see them underwater.
5. What message do you hope people take away from your photos?
Caroline – I hope that people will see our passion and enthusiasm for marine life when they see our images. I hope that they will want to get into the water and see it for themselves.
Nick – How beautiful the undersea world it and the desperate need for its conservation.
6. What has been one of the most interesting things you photographed?
Caroline – Tough question! I once saw a shark eating a moray eel – but typically I did not have my camera with me! Every time I get in the water to go diving, I think that what I am seeing is the most interesting. In the last year I have photographed colorful sea slug that are minuscule, and also a crocodile’ teeth!
Nick – The Basking Shark. An enormous gently giant, that swims with its mouth wide open to filter out small particles from the water. We see them in the summer in the UK. They are very hard to find, even though they are the size of a bus! So when we do get in the water with them, it is a real treat.
7. What is the most challenging thing about photographing sharks?
Caroline – Photographing sharks can take a lot of patience. We can sometimes be sat on a small boat out at sea for hours (even days) with nothing to show for it. They either come, or they don’t!
Nick – Trying to control my excitement and pleasure so that I can concentrate on taking a great shot! It is a tough balance, to enjoy the experience of being in the water with sharks and to also come out of the water with the images you want.
Nick and Caroline have a book about to be released called “The World’s Best Wildlife Dive Sites,” so make sure to check out their website and social media pages for updates.