5 Challenges of Underwater Modeling

Over the past few years, I’ve been learning to model for photos and video underwater (with or without a mermaid tail). It’s so incredibly different to modeling on land! It’s hard enough to position your body and maintain facial expressions above water, but imagine yourself below the surface with a whole host of other obstacles. I’m focusing on FIVE big challenges I’ve experienced personally while learning to model underwater.

1.

First, let’s go over the obvious. When you’re underwater, there is no breathing. Opening your eyes can be very uncomfortable and you can’t see well at all. You may also get a fair amount of water in your ears, nose, and mouth. Getting comfortable with all of this unpleasantness is key. You’ll have an easier time if you learn to use safe breath holding techniques. Opening your eyes is easier depending on where you’re swimming. I find that clear ocean saltwater is the easiest for my eyes. Saltwater pools can be a great alternative depending on how they are kept. Some public pools with lots of chemicals can sting the eyes and make them red pretty quickly. Tap water is hellacious! But that also depends on where you live and your water quality. If you experience difficulty with water in your ears, nose, or mouth, you can try ear plugs, nose plugs, and avoiding opening your mouth. Your ear or nose plugs may appear in your photos, but they can be edited out in many cases.

2.

The flow of water and your own weightlessness can make posing and movement difficult. Even if you are in a pool setting with no current, your own movements and your ability to sink or float will greatly impact your body positioning as well as the positioning of your hair and clothes (or mermaid tail). If you’re wearing loose, long clothing, it can get caught up in your limbs and it can be difficult to position the fabric and then your hands or feet without one disturbing the other. It’s helped me in the past to move as little as possible once you’ve got your clothing or fabric positioned. If you’re wearing a mermaid tail, the fluke may float or sink depending on its size and material. I used to have trouble sinking in my neoprin mermaid tail and would have to let out all my air and go down towards the bottom of the pool so I could slowly rise up while posing. My silicone tail tends to sink, so I had to adapt my strategy.

3.

Posing can be difficult to learn and it takes a lot of trial and error to figure out how to angle your body in relation to the camera. Now add all that motion from swimming in the water, trying to stay in frame, and wondering what your clothes and hair are doing around you. It’s incredibly easy to forget little things about your body positioning. None of your body parts should be too close to the camera, or they will appear a lot larger than they actually are. Especially during mermaid photoshoots, you want to make your tail look as ‘real’ as possible. So no sharp angles where your knees or your ankles bend. I’ve had so many photoshoots where every frame has some harsh angle, a giant hand, warped facial expression, wild hair, etc.

4.

Remember the water in your ears? That’s right – you can’t hear underwater. Not well enough to understand someone talking to you. Communication between models and photographers isn’t always perfect on land, and it becomes more difficult when you’re in the water. I was once floating in the water, eyes closed, ears below the surface, surrounded by nurse sharks, trying to look as if I were sleeping for a shot, and had no idea if and when the photographer was trying to speak to me. If you’re in a shallow pool, you can easily come up for air between shots and discuss what went right or wrong. But unfortunately, the photographer can’t correct your positioning in the moment like they could if above water. However, if either the photographer or the model are on scuba, there aren’t many options for communicating between shots. Scuba divers can use underwater white boards to communicate with each other and have a set of hand signals for basic communication.

5.

Safety first! The most important thing you should consider when practicing underwater modeling is safety. Don’t push your limits and certainly never let anyone else push your limits. You should never practice underwater breath holding alone – always have someone there who can help you if something goes wrong. Certifications aren’t necessary to get started, but they can help immensely with your skills and confidence. They may also be required for some jobs. Do what you can to stay healthy. Only swim in water that is safe and recognize that ear, eye, and sinus infections can happen. You should also be sure to clean your mermaid tail or other underwater wardrobe to prevent bacteria and mold from growing.

Comment below if you have underwater modeling experience and advice for beginners OR if you are learning like me and have questions.

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