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Underwater photography and videography expeditions

Off the beaten path photo & video trips

Underwater Photography & Videography Expeditions

And then here are our yearly Video and Photo expeditions!

Every year the Oceans Below team organizes trips off the beaten path and to amazing diving locations around the world; Tiger Beach Bahamas, Mexico’s Baja California, Florida’s Manatees, The Junk liveaboard trips in Thailand’s Similan and Surin Islands and Humpback whale swims in Tonga… If you would like to join us on our travels, check out our calendar.

Upcoming Expeditions

Freediving trip Similan Islands February 2022

Depart

Feb 25th, 2022

Duration

4 days

From

Khao Lakh, Thailand

Price

20000 THB

Tonga Hump Back Whales Dive Trip

Depart

Sep 3rd, 2022

Duration

7 days

From

Tongatapu, Tonga

Price

46000 THB

Striped Marlin and sealions hunting in a bait ball

Striped Marlin Expedition 2022

Depart

Nov 5th, 2022

Duration

8 days

From

Los Cabos, Mexico

Price

130000 THB

Trip Reports

Pom Pom Island in Sabah, Malaysia is an underwater photographer's paradise

Pom Pom Island, a Macro heaven for photographers

Striped Marlin Expedition in Baja California

Reflections of the Striped Marlin expedition in Baja

Book now

Photo & Video Dive Trip FAQs

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How big are the groups you are taking on a photo expedition?

We normally stick to small groups. For the Marlin Expeditions we can bring 6-8 people in total. For the Tiger Beach/manatee expedition we normally take 6 customers. For our Humpback swims we stick to 6 people so we all have enough water time and only 1 boat.

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Where do you go mostly for your photo/video expeditions?

Our destinations:

Mexico, Baja California, Magdalena Bay, La Paz, Cabo and Cabo Pulmo
The Bahamas, Tiger Beach in combination with a Florida road trip to swim with the Manatees in Crystal river
Tonga, Humpback whale swimming (freediving)

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How long in advance do you plan your expeditions?

We normally plan a year in advance our trips so you have time to save up for your trip!

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Do you need to be a certified diver for all your expeditions?

For some trips it is enought to be a snorkeler or freediver. For other trips you need to have scuba certifications. Check with us beforehand. We can arrange for you to get the proer training needed before the trip.

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Are you doing video or photo workshops during the trips?

I am. Most of our customers are photographers or videographers and during the trip I will help out with editing, camera settings and positioning.

On the other hand if there’s people who’d like to have a personalized photoshoot, I can do that too.

Book now

Testimonial
Howard Rosenstein
Fantasea Line, Scuba Diving Hall of Fame
Fantasea Line has had the pleasure to work with Elisabeth and Oceans Below for 5 years. These have have been some of the most productive and successful years of cooperation in my 50 year diving career. On every level, for first class video editing to test diving, to Brand Ambassador for Fantasea, We value every aspect of our cooperation with Elisabeth. She is a first class professional and wonderful person to work with.
Underwater Video Training
Pro Videography Training & Internship
12 day underwater videography course focusing on documentary style film making. You'll learn to setup underwater camera equipment, then use the rig to capture a range of underwater imagery with varying angle, light, composition and camera settings.

You'll also cover the intricacies of underwater video editing, color correction, cutting, video effects and transitions plus adding a soundtrack. Option for add-on video internsip... read more
Photo & Video Training
Final project about turtle monitoring by student Lucien
Published Aug 12th

Here’s a little update about the underwater video course I have been teaching the past 2 weeks… The past 10 mor ...
Testimonial
Tim Hunt
Manager | Field Services | PADI Asia Pacific
Incredibly professional and talented team at Oceans Below! Elisabeth and the staff have produced multiple videos for PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors), all of which have been unmatched in quality! Thanks Oceans Below!
Top 10 Lists
My top 10 favorite fish to photograph
Published May 20th

As underwater photographers we certainly favor some fish over others to photograph. There are so many cooperative (and many m ...
Underwater Video Training
UV Fluorescence Video Course
UV Fluorescence diving is different. Night diving with a high intensity blue light plus special mask & visor lets you see the underwater world in a whole new [UV] light. Incredible glowing colors resemble something like scenes from the Avatar movie.

During the UV Fluorescence underwater video course we'll make 3 UV night dives capturing close up UV/fluoro video of corals, crustaceans & fish.
Testimonial
Wendy Blevins
Underwater Photography Trainee
I met a couple of your photography students, and was reminded of you. I am also making a point to reach out to all of the women who have been a part of my Dive education on this journey. I appreciate everything you provided to me in the short time we shared in Mexico, but more than that I admire your perseverance in this industry and love seeing you share that with other divers especially other women. Thank you for being an inspiration!
Dive Trip Reports
Pom Pom Island, a Macro heaven for photographers
Published

Blessed with some of the richest waters in the world, Pom Pom island offers some amazing macro diving. If you want long, up-c ...
Underwater Video Training
Social Media Influencer Underwater Images Course
Social Media Platforms (including Instagram, Facebook, Twitter etc) have become a core part of any online marketing campaign. Used properly, video is the most powerful media.

Whether promoting yourself or a brand, this 8 day course trains you to shoot topside and underwater video footage. We focus on producing creative content to enhance your online footprint across social media & growing your following as a social media influencer.
Testimonial
Gill Wall
Underwater Videography Trainee
Had the most incredible two days soaking up amazing videography knowledge and learning from the best, Elisabeth Lauwerys @ Oceans Below. Day 1: two beautiful, vibrant-visability, fun dives @ Twins & White Rock with Master Divers. Day 2: great fun editing and creating my very own mini underwater masterpiece 😉 which i've watched nearly 100times already! So grateful to have met and to have been trained by Elisabeth who is super professional, thorough, patient and so much fun.
Underwater Photo Expeditions
Tonga Hump Back Whales Dive Trip
Departing Sep 3rd, 2022 from Tongatapu, Tonga

Join us as we head to Tongatapu, in the beautiful Kingdom of Tonga, for 5 amazing days in the water with Humpback whales. Thi ...
Underwater Photography Training
Pro Underwater Photography Training
5 day professional underwater photography course including both theory & application. You'll focus on capturing underwater images using both wide angle and close-up (macro) shot compositions, utilizing both natural light conditions and artificial lighting.

We'll make 8 dives shooting underwater photos then edit your photos using professional image editing software (with choice of Lightroom or Adobe Photoshop).
Testimonial
Amy Gordon Fisher
Medcalm Corp
Hi Elisabeth, I just want to thank you for creating the film 'Underwater Visions' for us. We have had many reports of sick children loving it in hospitals. You did a tremendous job and I’m so glad I “trusted” you. You should be very proud of how many people it is helping!
Underwater Camera Equipment
How to choose your first Underwater Camera Setup?
Published Jun 11th

One major consideration these days for any new underwater videographer is determining whether you should get a camcorder, whi ...
Underwater Video Training
Freediving Underwater Video Training
Prefer apnea freediving over scuba? With four or six day options, our Freediving Videography course trains you to shoot underwater video whilst freediving.

You'll learn how to film other freedivers, fish and corals whilst making breath hold dives. You'll also master using video editing software to compile your underwater footage into a finished project.
Testimonial
Meg Griffin
Underwater Video Trainee
I am so grateful for my decision to learn the art of underwater filmmaking from Oceans Below. Liz gave me such a great foundation and sent me out into the diving world with incredible experience and awesome videos under my belt. I still watch them and think back to my island paradise.
Photo & Video Training
Koh Tao Turtle Documentary by Oceans Below student Lucien
Published Sep 19th

In our blog about a month ago, you could read and watch the story of a 12 year old boy who loves the ocean, turtles and conse ...
Underwater Video Training
Underwater Videography Course
3 or 5 day options; Learn the basics of underwater video production. You'll cover selection, maintenance and operation of underwater video equipment, safe diving practices whilst shooting underwater video, utilizing different shot types and editing your underwater video footage into a movie using video editing software.

Must be PADI Advanced (or equivalent)
Testimonial
Anthony Meech
Underwater Photographer
I highly recommend Oceans Below. I did a two day course of wide angle underwater photography and some editing. A great day in the water with strobes (which Liz very kindly provided for me) and then next day in the office learning about editing. Learned so much in the two days through expert tuition. will certainly be back again soon for some more underwater photography fun. if you are travelling Thailand and on koh Tao don't miss the opportunity to expand your knowledge.
Top 10 Lists
10 basic beginner tips for shooting better underwater video
Published May 13th

Improve your image quality with these basic tips and techniques. Shooting underwater video has become increasingly popular in ...
Underwater Video Training
Mermaiding Dive & Images
Mermaiding diving is the new craze! Don a mermaid styled mono fin & matching apparel and make apnea (breath hold) dives as a mermaid.

The mermaiding course is a lot of fun; You'll learn to strike the perfect underwater pose, plus how to capture great underwater mermaiding photos and videos. Day one is conducted in a swimming pool, followed by the option to take things to a whole new level in the ocean.
Testimonial
Elaine Brett
Partner & GM | Master Divers, Koh Tao
Elisabeth is a fantastic instructor with so much talent. Love learning tips in her courses, can’t wait to do more!
Photo & Video Expeditions
Freediving trip Similan Islands February 2022
Departing Feb 25th, 2022 from Khao Lakh, Thailand

Freediving Liveaboard at the Similan and Surin islands in February! We will spend 4 days and 4 nights of our FREEDIVING EXPE ...
Underwater Photography Training
Underwater Photography Course
3 day course where you'll learn to capture wide angle underwater images using both natural light and strobe lighting.

We make four dives taking underwater photos then cover using image editing software, (choice of Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom) to touch up your underwater images. Option to tag on additional days if you further your underwater photography technique and experience.
Testimonial
Eliska Griffiths
Owner @ Aurora Wetsuits
Life-changing experience! When it comes to learning it's all about the right teacher. Elisabeth an inspiring professional & one of the best teachers I've encountered in my life. I believe she can truly unlock your potential. I did 12 days customized course with Elisabeth learning to film underwater as well as on land for the purpose of my business. Knowing nothing about filming or video editing I learned so much & had great fun along the way. I have now an epic promo video I am most proud of.
Koh Tao News
Underwater fashion shoot with Oceans Below and By Moumi
Published Sep 3rd

A few days ago we headed out on the longtail to a couple of different bays around Koh Tao. We were extremely lucky that day w ...
Testimonial
Nader Aboulhosn
Underwater Video Trainee
I took the Pro Video course back in 2011, and it was one of the best experiences I’ve had. Whether it was filming turtles, finding sea horses, riding on a speed boat, or dodging trigger fish, every day on the course was filled with something new to learn and exciting to experience. By the time I finished the course, I had discovered something that I was passionate about and felt confident in my newly acquired skills as an underwater videographer.
Underwater Photography Training
Freediving Photography Course
Enroll on our Freediving Photography course to learn to photograph marine life and other freedivers whilst making breath hold (apnea) dives. With options for either a 3 day or 5 day course we make a series of dives capturing underwater photos of freediving, coral reefs and fish.

You'll then learn to touch-up your underwater photos using image editing software (either Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom).