How to Become an Underwater Photographer: A Working Pro’s Career Guide

Underwater photography as a career

By William Drumm, underwater photographer and ocean ambassador

I have been working as an underwater photographer since 2006. I started as a divemaster on a liveaboard in Queensland, and bought my first camera, a Nikon Coolpix in a Subal housing, from the wreckage of a photography class that got cancelled. Since then I have shot the Billie Eilish Hit Me Hard and Soft album cover, worked with brands including Cressi and Scuba Diving International, and built a living out of prints, brand work, portraits and film.

People ask me how to do this. This is my answer, and it is not a gear guide. It covers what the profession involves, the realistic career paths, what the work pays, whether you need a degree, and how the money comes together in practice.

It can be a lucrative career. It is also very difficult to get there, and most people who try do not make it. I would rather say that at the top than bury it at the bottom.

What Is an Underwater Photographer?

An underwater photographer is a professional who creates still images and video below the surface of water, in oceans, pools, lakes, rivers, cenotes and purpose built photography tanks. The work spans wildlife photography (sharks, whales, fish, coral reefs), commercial photography (swimwear and lingerie campaigns, dive gear catalogues), portrait work (models, maternity, brides, music artists), documentary and editorial work, and fine art prints.

Most underwater photographers arrive from one of three directions: photography that expanded into the underwater medium, marine science that adopted photography as a way to communicate, or scuba diving that grew into a creative practice. The job asks for technical photography skill, real competence in the water (usually scuba certification, often freediving training), gear that runs from a few hundred dollars to fifty thousand and beyond, and the ability to be both an artist and a small business.

I have been working as an underwater photographer since 2006. I shot the Billie Eilish Hit Me Hard and Soft album cover, I work with brands including Cressi and Scuba Diving International, and I sell fine art prints from my wildlife and portrait work. This guide covers what the profession involves, the realistic career paths and income ranges, the gear and training that matter, and how I built a working career in it.

Underwater Photographer vs Marine Photographer vs Ocean Photographer

These three terms are close to synonyms in everyday use, with some small distinctions worth knowing.

• Underwater photographer. The most precise and most widely used term. It covers anyone making photographs from beneath the water surface, in any environment: ocean, pool, lake, freshwater spring, cave or a dedicated photo tank. This is the most accurate self description for most working professionals.
• Marine photographer. Often implies a focus on marine wildlife specifically, meaning fish, mammals, invertebrates and coral. It overlaps with marine wildlife photographer and tends to signal a science or conservation orientation.
• Ocean photographer. Broader and more colloquial. It sometimes implies above and below water work as part of a wider ocean story, taking in surfers, beaches, weather and seascapes alongside underwater scenes.

In practice these blur. I describe myself primarily as an underwater photographer because most of my work happens below the surface, but I also shoot above water and think of myself as part of the broader ocean storytelling community. Pick the term that describes what you do.

Related terms you will run into: marine videographer, underwater cinematographer, marine wildlife photographer, freediving photographer, technical diving photographer and scientific underwater photographer.

My Journey into Underwater Photography

I’ve been shooting underwater since 2006, starting as a divemaster on a liveaboard scuba boat in Queensland, Australia. Back then, my primary focus was diving, not photography. But while studying marine biology at James Cook University, I signed up for an underwater photography class. The class was canceled, but the gear, Nikon Coolpix cameras with Subal housings, was sold off. I bought both a still camera and a video camera, sold the video setup, and started experimenting with the Coolpix.

One of the first things I noticed? What I saw through the camera didn’t match what I saw with my own eyes underwater. As anyone who’s been below the surface knows, colors disappear with depth. Red is the first to go, and most cameras, especially older ones, can’t compensate for that. That’s why strobes or underwater lights are a critical part of many photographers’ kits. I still remember the first time I used a strobe and saw the brilliant red of a sea star come to life in my viewfinder. It changed everything.

That said, today’s digital cameras can capture a lot more without lights, depending on your depth, water conditions, and whether you’re shooting RAW. Whether you’re taking stills or video, RAW files are your best friend in underwater photography.

For a deeper look at what RAW means and the camera settings I use today, see my underwater photography settings guide. The principles have not changed. The gear has.

Just Start Shooting Underwater

The most important thing you can do if you want to become an underwater photographer is to start shooting underwater. That’s it. These days, it’s way easier than it used to be. I recommend starting with something like the Insta360 Ace Pro 2 (use this affiliate link to buy) or another action camera that fits your budget and needs.

At this stage, what you shoot and where you shoot matters far less than that you’re shooting. Try to create better and better images and videos every time you get in the water, and more importantly, don’t just let them sit on a hard drive. Post your work. Share it. Build an online presence.

Other action camera options include the GoPro Hero series and the DJI Osmo Action. The Olympus TG-7, a compact with native underwater capability, is also worth a look. For a beginner on a tight budget, even a phone in a proper underwater case will produce respectable images at snorkel depth.

If you want a full walkthrough of the technique once you have the gear, see my underwater photography field guide.

Become Comfortable in the Water

Being a great underwater photographer means being truly comfortable underwater. Whether you’re freediving or scuba diving, invest in good training. Take classes, work on your breath hold, practice buoyancy control. That comfort and control will show in your photos and videos.

Personally, I recommend training through Scuba Diving International (SDI). While most people only know PADI (think of it like the Walmart of dive training), SDI feels more like a quality mom-and-pop shop. It’s not available everywhere, but when it is, it’s often a better experience.

Do Not Get Discouraged by Instagram

Let’s be real, it’s easy to look at Instagram and feel like your work doesn’t measure up. But the truth is, underwater photography is all about the long game. Longevity is a superpower.

When I was starting out, I shot with many talented underwater photographers who eventually drifted away from the field. Life got in the way. Interests changed. But the simple act of continuing to shoot and improve year after year? That alone can set you apart.

Organize Your Work from the Start

This one is boring, but it’s critical: build a good photo archiving system from the beginning. Use keywords. Cull your images. Only keep the best ones in your main catalog, and store the rest on a separate drive if you must. It’s tempting to save everything, but you’ll thank yourself later for being selective and organized.

Most underwater photographers (and photographers in general) fall short here. If you can nail this early, you’re already ahead.

Education and Training: Do You Need a Degree?

No, you do not need a degree to become an underwater photographer. Most working underwater photographers have no formal photography degree, and clients hire on the strength of a portfolio and a reputation, not credentials.

That said, some academic backgrounds accelerate the path considerably.

• Marine biology, ecology or environmental science. Opens doors in NGO and conservation storytelling, scientific imaging contracts and academic publication work. I have a BS in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from CU Boulder, and it has shaped the conservation work I do.
• Journalism. Builds the writing and storytelling that pairs with photography in editorial work. I also have a BA in Journalism, and the writing fundamentals shape how I pitch and how I tell a story.
• Photography or visual media. Useful in commercial and editorial markets where formal training signals professionalism. Not necessary, but valuable on some paths.
• Marine science or oceanography. Opens doors to scientific photography, research collaborations and conservation work that a pure photography background cannot reach.

There is no formal underwater photography degree in most countries. A handful of specialty programmes exist, some marine science degrees include media training, and certain dive agencies offer underwater photography certifications. None of them substitutes for time in the water and a strong portfolio.

What matters more than any degree: hundreds or thousands of dives logged, a portfolio with a clear style, real working experience with brands or publications, and the technical skill to deliver consistent professional output. Build those and the credentials become secondary.

Underwater Photography Jobs and Career Paths

Working underwater photographers almost always assemble income from several sources rather than relying on one. These are the main paths.

Brand and commercial photography

Long term contracts with ocean aligned brands: dive gear manufacturers, watch brands, swimwear, scuba training agencies, conservation NGOs. This is the most stable income for an established photographer. For a small brand, a commercial underwater shoot typically runs 3,000 to 8,000 dollars. For a large brand, 5,000 to 50,000 dollars. Those figures generally assume post production is included, although some clients prefer to handle their own editing, which changes the number. I work with Cressi and Scuba Diving International on this basis.

Underwater portrait and commercial portraiture

Photographing models, expectant mothers, brides, music artists and brand campaigns underwater. It is a specialised commercial category with strong revenue per shoot. Sessions run roughly 800 to 10,000 dollars depending on scope.

Documentary and broadcast cinematography

Working as an underwater shooter on nature documentaries, television and corporate films. Day rates run roughly 750 to 5,000 dollars for a skilled underwater operator. The work is project based and inconsistent, and it can be very lucrative.

Fine art print sales

Selling limited edition prints of your strongest images through your own site, galleries, art fairs and ocean conservation events. Margins are high after print costs and volume is unpredictable. It works best with a consistent style and a real personal brand.

Freelance editorial and magazine work

Pitching stories and image packages to dive, conservation, travel and online publications. Rates vary widely across the industry and volume matters more than any single fee.

Stock photography and licensing

Selling photo and video usage rights through agencies. Most stock income is small and steady, but a single image or clip that travels can earn for years.

Workshops, expeditions and teaching

Leading underwater photography workshops, running expedition trips for paying clients, online courses and one to one mentorship.

Dive resort and liveaboard photography

Staff photographer roles at resorts and on liveaboards. Pay is modest, often with accommodation included, but you are in the water daily and the portfolio builds fast. This is how I started, in Australia in 2006.

Sponsored content and social media

Brand partnerships paid through your own platforms. Pay scales with audience and engagement. With 200,000+ Instagram followers and monthly reach in the millions, this is a meaningful stream for me.

Scientific and research photography

Documenting species, habitats or projects for research institutions, universities and NGOs. Usually grant funded and project rated.

Most full time underwater photographers combine three to five of these. Relying on a single source is fragile, given how volatile the media and travel industries are.

Underwater Photographer Salary: How Much Do Underwater Photographers Make?

Income varies enormously with experience, business model, location and how the work is structured. These are realistic ranges based on my own career and on what I have seen across the industry.

• Entry level, years one to three. Often nothing to about 25,000 dollars a year from photography directly. Most beginners are working other jobs, dive instruction, divemastering, hospitality, assisting, and treating photography as an investment. This is the paying your dues phase and it is longer than people expect.
• Early career, years three to seven. Roughly 30,000 to 60,000 dollars a year. You have a portfolio, a few recurring clients and possibly a small audience. Income is a mix of editorial, resort work and the beginnings of brand work.
• Established, years seven to fifteen. Roughly 60,000 to 120,000 dollars a year. Ongoing brand contracts, a recognisable style, repeat clients and a real audience. You start turning down work you do not want.
• Top tier, fifteen years and up with a strong personal brand. 150,000 to 500,000 dollars a year and sometimes well beyond. Major media partnerships, strong print sales, speaking and workshop businesses, deep brand relationships. It is a small group.

A note on what those numbers include. Project rates generally assume post production is part of the deliverable, although some clients prefer to do their own editing. That single detail can move a quote significantly, so establish it before you price the job, not after.

And some honest caveats. Most people who call themselves underwater photographers are hobbyists funding the work from another career. The number earning a full living from underwater photography alone is very small. Nobody keeps a register, so I will not pretend to a figure, but it is a smaller number than the size of the community would suggest.

The field is genuinely crowded, particularly in marine wildlife, partly because so many talented hobbyists will give images away for exposure. That is the market you are pricing against.

The photographers who do build sustainable careers tend to be the ones who treat it as a business: a strong personal brand, several income streams, intellectual property they own, and an audience they built directly. Chasing portfolio without a business model rarely turns into a living.

Final Thoughts: Staying the Course as an Underwater Photographer

If you’re serious about underwater photography, it’s going to take time, patience, and consistency. There will be moments of doubt, dry spells without good images, and setbacks. But there will also be breakthrough shots, new clients, and moments of awe that make it all worth it.

To be an underwater photographer today means more than just taking cool pictures, it’s about telling stories, creating a personal brand, building relationships with the ocean, and finding ways to sustain your work. If you love it, keep going. Improve with every dive. Share what you shoot. And never forget: the ocean rewards those who stay.

If you are serious about this as a career or as a craft, I have written more detailed guides on specific parts of the work: how to take underwater photos, the field guide to the fundamentals, and underwater photography settings, the technical reference. More are coming, covering editing and underwater portraiture. Together they cover the skills I have built over the past two decades. The career, in the end, is the sum of all of them.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to become an underwater photographer?

Most photographers reach competent professional level work after five to ten years of consistent practice. Reaching a full time income from underwater photography usually takes seven to fifteen years for those who get there at all. The technical learning curve, meaning camera, housings, lighting and colour correction, takes one to three years. The skill curve and the business curve take much longer.

How much do underwater photographers make per year?

Entry level underwater photographers typically earn nothing to about 25,000 dollars a year from photography directly, and work other jobs to supplement it. Established professionals earn roughly 60,000 to 120,000 dollars a year. Top tier specialists with strong personal brands and several income streams can earn 150,000 to 500,000 dollars or more, but that tier is a small fraction of working photographers.

How much does a commercial underwater photo shoot cost?

For a small brand, a commercial underwater shoot typically runs 3,000 to 8,000 dollars. For a large brand, 5,000 to 50,000 dollars. Underwater portrait sessions run roughly 800 to 10,000 dollars depending on scope. Those figures generally assume post production is included, though some clients prefer to handle their own editing, which changes the number.

Do you need a scuba diving certification to be an underwater photographer?

Not necessarily, but it dramatically expands what you can shoot. Plenty of underwater photographers work mainly with snorkelling and freediving, which require no certification but limit you to shallow water. Scuba certification opens up reef diving, wreck diving, deeper work and most professional opportunities. Most working underwater photographers are certified divers, and many are trained to advanced or technical levels.

What is the best camera for beginner underwater photographers?

For a complete beginner, an action camera with a waterproof housing, such as the Insta360 Ace Pro 2, is an excellent start: solid image quality, automatic colour correction, and depth rated out of the box. The Olympus TG-7 is another common entry point. Once you know what kind of photography you want to do, mirrorless systems such as the Sony A7 series, Canon R series or OM System OM-1, in a proper housing from Nauticam, Aquatica, Marelux or Ikelite, become the standard professional setup.

Can you make a living as an underwater photographer?

Yes, but it is harder than most people expect. The field is crowded, the gear is expensive, and the gig to gig income pattern demands real financial discipline. The photographers who build sustainable careers combine several income streams, brand contracts, prints, editorial, workshops, portraits and video, rather than relying on any single one. Personal brand and audience now matter as much as image quality.

Do you need a degree to be an underwater photographer?

No. Most working underwater photographers have no formal degree in photography, and clients hire on portfolio quality rather than credentials. That said, certain academic backgrounds can accelerate the path considerably. Marine biology, ecology or environmental science open doors in conservation and scientific work that a photography portfolio alone cannot reach.

What is the difference between an underwater photographer, a marine photographer and an ocean photographer?

They are close to synonyms, with small distinctions. Underwater photographer is the most precise and most widely used, and covers any photography made below the water surface. Marine photographer often implies a focus on marine wildlife and carries a science or conservation flavour. Ocean photographer is broader and more colloquial, and sometimes implies above and below water work as part of wider ocean storytelling.

Do underwater photographers travel a lot?

Almost universally, yes. Working underwater photographers travel anywhere from thirty to two hundred days a year depending on their business model. Wildlife and conservation photographers travel most. Brand and commercial photographers travel less, but in concentrated bursts. Travel is one of the largest expenses in the profession and one of the most common reasons people leave it.

What does an underwater photographer do day to day?

Surprisingly little of the work happens underwater. In the field, a typical week is perhaps ten to twenty percent in water shooting, thirty percent post production, twenty percent business work, fifteen percent gear maintenance and travel logistics, and fifteen percent writing and communicating around the work. Out of the field the in water share drops to nearly zero. Most underwater photographers spend far more time at a desk than under water.

How do I find underwater photography jobs?

Almost none of this work is filled through job listings. Start where you are: local dive shops, dive resorts, marine science programmes and ocean aligned brands. Build a portfolio with a clear specialty, whether a region, a species, a style or a category such as fine art, portrait or commercial. Pitch directly rather than waiting to be found. The work comes through relationships.

Is underwater photography a good career?

It depends what good means to you. The field is crowded, gear is expensive, and pure photography income has fallen as digital images have proliferated. But demand for ocean storytelling has never been higher, brand budgets for environmental content are growing, and photographers who build an audience are finding income in social media, prints, portraits and direct to consumer products. If you want a stable corporate career, this is not it. If you are willing to build a small business and run it like one, the path is real.