From photos of vibrant reefs to historic wrecks, this year's Featured Customers set an inspiring standard. Join us as we celebrate our 2025 Featured Customers and highlight their standout shots.
Want to make your mark in 2026? Submit your work to become an Ikelite Featured Customer.
Balázs Fodor: Every Dive is a New Galaxy
"Born and raised in Hungary, far from the coasts of any ocean, I didn’t grow up with the sea. For most of my life, the underwater world was a mystery beyond reach. It wasn’t until I was well into my twenties that I first tried diving — and from that moment, I was captivated. Every dive since feels like stepping into a new galaxy, a world so different and inspiring that words alone can’t describe it. Taking photos quickly became my way of sharing these alien landscapes with friends and family, and soon, I was on a path from curious diver to photographer." See more...
Born and raised in landlocked Hungary, Balázs Fodor didn't start scuba diving until he was in his 20s but then he was instantly hooked. What started as a way to share his underwater adventures with friends and family has now turned into conservation-focused photography and a membership with the Mexico League of Conservation Photographers. Balázs meticulously plans and researches his trips in effort to see and learn the most while he's underwater. Balázs' award-winning work has had his work featured in many international exhibitions. You can keep up with Balázs on Instagram @balazsfodor_photo and his website.
Avery Rust: A Day with Manatees in a Florida Spring
"During the winter months, the West Indian Manatee seeks refuge in the warm waters of the Florida Springs. Despite their appearance, manatees have a relatively thin layer of body fat, and they need water temperatures above 68°F (20°C) to regulate their body temperature. The Florida Springs, which maintain an average temperature of 72°F (22°C) year-round, provide a crucial sanctuary for manatees during the colder months." See more...
Avery Rust is a photographer, captain, and graduate student. She is currently studying marine bioacoustics while living full time on her boat in Florida. Her passion for photography began at a young age, but it wasn't until the past year that she truly immersed herself in underwater photography. After leaving a corporate career to travel and live aboard, Avery found a renewed sense of inspiration. She shoots with a Canon EOS R5, an EF 8-15mm f/4L lens, and the Ikelite 200DL Underwater Housing. Through her work, she aims to bridge art and science, using her images to inspire meaningful conservation efforts. Follow Avery on Instagram @averyrust and visit her website www.averyust.com to learn more.
Rowan Dear: Entering the Water With a Clear Vision
"Over the years I have been very fortunate to travel to some incredible places to dive and witness some of the oceans most unique marine animals. From Humpback Whale encounters in Niue, swimming with Fevers of Mobula Rays in Mexico, Manta Rays in Hawaii, Southern Right Whales in Patagonia and Leafy Sea Dragons and Giant Cuttlefish right here in Australia." See more...
Rowan Dear grew up in Wales, UK where he fostered a love of the outdoors and discovering new animals to identify. In 2010 he relocated to Australia and seven years later overcame his fear of water and took an Open Water course. After a few years of diving in Australia, South Africa, Thailand, and the Philippines, Rowan purchased an underwater housing for his camera and his passion for underwater photography truly blossomed. He took a course with Matty Smith which taught him how to break free from Auto mode and grasp the principles of composition. His love of discovering new animals and the outdoors has remained intact and has informed much of his photography. Rowan continues to travel the world shooting underwater and remains steadfast in learning new photography techniques and building upon his solid photography foundation. Rowan shoots underwater using the Sony a7IV inside an Ikelite Underwater Housing. Follow Rowan on Instagram @rdearphotography and visit his website www.rdearphotography.com to learn more.
Griffin Blegen: Native Fishes and Intricate Ecosystems
"In the spring of 2024, I was honored to receive a grant from my local arts council. This support enabled me to purchase an Ikelite underwater housing, opening up new creative possibilities. Since then, I’ve devoted much of my time to photographing Minnesota’s native fishes, shifting my focus from the birds, mammals, and landscapes to the vibrant and hidden world beneath the water’s surface." See more...
Griffin Blegen was born and raised in central Minnesota. He is currently a Master’s student and aspiring Ph.D. candidate, with research centered on the life history and biology of native fishes, specifically the Emerald Bowfin. Griffin shoots with the Nikon D850 inside a 200DL Ikelite Underwater Housing with dual DS161 Strobes. You can see more of Griffin's work on his website and follow him on Instagram @griffinblegenphoto.
Carlo "Charlie" Patriarca: In Stunning Detail
Hailing from Como, Italy, Carlo "Charlie" Patriarca has been shooting underwater for decades, participating in many national and international competitions throughout that time. He alternates between diving in the freshwater lakes and rivers of northern Italy, the Mediterranean, and tropical seas. See more...
Carlo "Charlie" Patriarca is an underwater photographer from Como, Italy. He's been shooting underwater for roughly three decades and participating in numerous Italian and international photo competitions along the way. He currently shoots with a Nikon D780 inside an Ikelite 200DL Underwater Housing and alternates between wide-angle and macro. You can see more of his underwater work on Instagram @aspas72 as well as his underwater portfolio.
Antonio Implatini: Wreck Diving the Maltese Archipelago
"I’m a passionate underwater photographer and explorer. I typically dive wrecks and caves around the Maltese archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea, a lovely place that gives me the opportunity to practice my beloved passion." See more...
Antonio Implatini, originally from Sicily, now lives in Malta and primarily dives the Maltese Archipelago. He is a CMAS and PADI certified dive instructor and a GUE techdiver. Antonio shoots with the Canon R100 + RF-S 18-45mm lens with the Ikelite 200DLM/D Underwater Housing. You can follow more of Antonio's work and dive adventures on Instagram @antwan_uw.
Slava Petrenko: Think Big, Shoot Small
For underwater photographer Slava Petrenko the biggest creative moments happen when he's shooting the smallest creatures. See more...
Slava Petrenko is originally from Russia but has spent the last 15 years living in Dubai, UAE and traveling to some of his favorite dive destinations like Talumben, Bali, and Maldives. Slava shoots the Canon EOS R5 II with the Canon RF 100mm lens inside an Ikelite Underwater Housing accompanied with dual Ikelite DS230 Strobes. You can see more of Slava's underwater images on his Facebook page. Luis María Naya Garmendia: The Beauty of the Basque Coast
Luis has been the author of two exhibitions at the Aquarium of San Sebastian, the first in 2016 entitled “Nudibranchs: the Small Multicolored Cantabrian” and the second in 2021 entitled “Joao Pessoa: a German Freighter Sunk in San Sebastian Waters.” A book was published on the occasion of the first exhibition, called Nudibranquios de la Costa Vasca: el Pequeño Cantábrico Multicolor. You can read or download a Spanish language copy of Luis' book here. See more...
Luis María Naya Garmendia is a diving instructor, underwater photographer, and author of the book Nudibranquios de la Costa Vasca as well as the author of multiple exhibits at the Aquarium of San Sebastian. Luis specializes in documenting and providing safety protocols for underwater archaeological excavations. In Luis' 40 years underwater he has shot with Olympus and Nikon but has always remained an Ikelite loyalist. You can read Luis' book about the nudibranchs of the Basque region here.
Keri Muller: Bound Together by Water
Keri Muller lives in Cape Town, South Africa, with False Bay’s kelp forests a mere scamper away. This allows her to spend many hours freediving and snorkelling in this pristine ecosystem. "We're all anonymous and bound together by water." See more...
Keri Muller lives in Cape Town, South Africa, with False Bay’s kelp forests a mere scamper away allowing her lots of time to snorkel and freedive. She started shooting underwater about seven years ago, first with a trusty Olympus TG and now with a Canon R in an Ikelite Underwater Housing. Follow Keri on Instagram @kerimuller.
Christoph Mayerhofer: Trying to Catch the Perfect Moment
"Throughout the year you will find me in our Echinger Weiher... If I am not there I am visiting some really nice lakes in Germany or I am traveling to new diving destinations. Always trying to catch the perfect moment." See more...
Christoph Mayerhofer lives in Germany and is often found in Germany's dream dive destination Echinger Weiher. When he's not diving there you can find him in the other pristine lakes of Germany or traveling abroad for more underwater adventures. Christoph shoots the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III inside an Ikelite DLM Underwater Housing with dual DS230 Strobes. Follow Christoph's adventures on Instagram @batandtheman. You can also see more of Christoph's work on the Echinger Weiher website.
Stu Garney: The Beauty of Black and White
After Stu Garney's first breath underwater in the pool of a local Denver, Colorado dive center, he was hooked. He continued learning the ropes of diving in the cold, murky waters of a local reservoir and has since been on an obsessive journey to explore a variety of underwater sceneries around the world. Stu's photography background started with large format black and white landscape film photography and darkroom techniques but later evolved to include digital underwater photography. See more...
Stuart "Stu" Garney's photography background started in large format black and white landscape film photography and darkroom techniques, but later evolved to include digital underwater photography. Today he shoots underwater with the Sony a6400, Tokina 10-17mm fisheye or Sony 50mm macro lenses inside an Ikelite DLM Underwater Housing with the 6 inch Dome Port or Macro Flat Port. You can see more of Stu's photography on Instagram @stugarneyphoto.
Giorgio Bonmassar: Underwater Photography & Neurotechnology
"My name is Giorgio Bonmassar. I am a PADI Assistant Diving Instructor (AD) based in Lexington, MA, and a Professor at Harvard Medical School, working in the Radiology Department at Massachusetts General Hospital. My passion for underwater photography stems from its unique fusion of advanced diving skills, marine conservation, exploration, outreach, and engineering—fields deeply connected to my background in medical imaging and neurotechnology. However, at its core, underwater photography is an art form, an essential aspect of my creative process as a scientist." See more...
Giorgio Bonmassar, Ph.D. is a Professor at Harvard Medical School and works in the Radiology Department at Massachusetts General Hospital. He's also a PADI Assistant Diving Instructor and has used his decades of diving to travel the world and shoot underwater photo and video. His passion for underwater photography is founded on ocean conservation and outreach, engineering, and exploration. All of these pillars stack up to a creative outlet that helps him connect with his creative process as a scientist. It's also informed his research, most notably in A New Phased-Array Magnetic Resonance Imaging Receive-Only Coil for HBO2 Studies which focuses on decompression sickness.
Phil Riebel: Bait Ball in Bonaire 4k [VIDEO]
"I have done many dives and this was definitely the largest school of fish I had ever seen. It is a school of Big-eyed Scad - Selar crumenophthalmus - off the cost of Bonaire. It was at least 100 yards by 50 yards (91 by 46 meters) – think of half an NFL football field! It was hard to imagine how many individual fish were in the school." Watch the video...
Phil Riebel is a marine biologist, avid scuba diver, and underwater photographer. In addition to diving and underwater imaging, Phil also enjoys fly fishing and has always had a passion for fish in general. He lives in eastern Canada. Check out more of Phil's work on his website www.philriebelphotography.com, Facebook, or his YouTube @PhilRiebelPhotography.
Josh Frasca: Sharing the Sea with Sharks
"I just find it so crazy how many people live in Florida—especially near the coast—and still fear sharks. I understand that not everyone wants to go scuba diving or intentionally swim with sharks. However, I believe it’s important for people to understand how vital sharks are to our environment. If we choose to play or work in the ocean, we must accept that we’re sharing it with sharks. By understanding them instead of fearing them, we can not only enjoy the ocean more but also learn how to safely coexist with our sea-dwelling neighbors." See more...
Josh Frasca is an accomplished underwater photographer and videographer with a passion for capturing the beauty of the ocean. He holds a bachelor's degree in Environmental Sciences from the University of South Florida, which deepened his understanding and commitment to marine conservation. Through his captivating visuals, Josh aims to inspire others to explore the underwater world and foster a desire to protect it. His work serves as a reminder of the wonders beneath the waves and the importance of preserving our marine ecosystems. Follow him on Instagram @joshfrasca.
Anna Aita: Ethereal, Dreamy, Feminine
"I was born and raised in Milan, Italy and I moved to the USA, in Florida, in
2021, fascinated by the beautiful nature and the sunny days. I have been a circus
instructor for over 12 years and circus arts performers and students inspired me
to learn photography to tell the stories of regular people that can transform into
superheroes." See more...
Anna Aita is originally from Milan, Italy and now resides in sunny Florida. Anna has been a circus instructor for over 12 years, and her circus students provided her the inspiration she needed to become an underwater photographer. She has her Freediving certification and shoots primarily model fine art photography in the Florida Springs and underwater in pools. Anna shoots with the Sony a7 IV + Tokina 11-18 f/2.8 lens inside an Ikelite Underwater Housing. You can see more of her work on her website, www.annaaitaphotography.com and follow her on Instagram @annaaitaphoto.
Mohd. Maroof: Nereus Expedition
"We are beginning to forget how curious we once were about exploring new things, understanding our purpose, and finding our place in the ecosystem. Instead, we seem more focused on exploiting it. By nature, we are supposed to be explorers, seeking to understand and uncover the unknown, while finding balance between ourselves and the natural world. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to be that way anymore. These magnificent creatures reminded me of what we were originally meant to do. I hope this resonates with you as well." See more...
Mohd. Maroof is a dive master, storyteller, and founder of Nereus Expedition. He uses the Sony a6400 camera inside an Ikelite Underwater Housing to capture his underwater images. Through his imagery and his expedition company he hopes to bridge the gap between science, storytelling, and conservation in the hope that it inspires other people to appreciate the sanctity of sharks and the beauty of our ocean. Mohd. Maroof's Nereus Expedition leads science expeditions aimed at marine education with a highlight on the importance of pelagics. You can see more of Mohd. Maroof's work on his Instagram @thedivingrabbit and learn more about his expedition company on his website www.nereusexpedition.com.
Patrick Dold: Getting Creative with the Canon R7
"Two years ago I purchased the Ikelite DLM Underwater Housing for the Canon R7 and couldn't be happier with my decision. The lenses I'm using with the Canon R7 and Ikelite DLM underwater housing is the Canon EF 100mm macro lens, Canon EF 8-15mm fisheye, Tokina 10-17mm fisheye, Canon EF 60mm macro, Sigma 10-18mm, and Sigma 4.5mm lenses with their respective dome or flat ports." See more...
Patrick Dold is an underwater photographer who has also developed a passion for topside nature and wildlife photography as well. He shoots with the Canon R7 and a variety of lenses from the Canon 100mm macro to the Sigma 4.5mm fisheye and enjoys trying an array of styles and techniques to give his photography portfolio some variety. You can see more of Patrick's work on his Instagram @patrick_dold_photography.
Xavier Gauthier: Ice Diving in the French Alps [VIDEO]
Xavier Gauthier joins a group of divers braving the chilly waters of Lac de Montriond in the French Alps and captures the quiet and cold stillness that hides below the ice. Watch the video...
Xavier Gauthier is an instructor, underwater photographer and videographer based in France and on the island of Corsica. He's spent 25 years exploring seas, lakes, and frozen lakes around the world. Xavier shoots with the Panasonic Lumix G7 with the 20mm pancake lens inside an Ikelite 200DLM Underwater Housing. See more of Xavier's work on his YouTube channel, Instagram @fisheyesprod, and Facebook.
Claudia S. Sepulveda S.: The Allure of Water
"Every day behind the camera feels like a personal adventure. I’m constantly inspired by how water connects us all. And with the camera, I have a chance to reveal the delicate dialogue between nature’s fluidity and the human spirit. I wish for my work to be deeply rooted in the belief that the interconnectivity of nature and humanity is both powerful and essential to understand, especially when it comes to conservation." See more...
Claudia S. Sepulveda S. was born and raised in Monterrey, Mexico and graduated from California State University, Northridge with a B.A. in Cinema & Television Arts and was a member of the Society of Camera Operators. Claudia shoots with the Sony a7III and a Sony 24-70mm lens inside an Ikelite Underwater Housing. You can lsee more of her underwater photography work on her Instagram @claudiasepulveda_.
James Arendale: Amphibious Photography
James is the founder of Amphibious Photography, a name that reflects both his military diving roots and his passion for land and sea photography. With over four decades behind the camera and a deep respect for the natural world, James continues to bring raw, unfiltered beauty from above and below the surface to viewers around the globe. See more...
Chief, diver, wildlife storyteller. James Arendale was born and raised in Kansas City. James joined the U.S. Navy in 1979 and became a certified Navy diver ten years later. Since 1989 underwater photography has become both a technical and artistic challenge he was eager to master. Since then, he’s documented marine life and underwater environments around the world with an eye for both composition and conservation. You can see James' artwork in person at any of the Anchored Market Ventures in Panama City, Florida. You can also learn more about James by visiting his Facebook page.
Sami Lindroos: Off-Season in Raja Ampat
"In general with the shots of hard and soft coral, the coral bleaching can be sometimes seen in Raja Ampat dive sites, but generally I found the situation being a lot better what I’ve seen in other countries and places. In general, not many places in the world anyway that can top the variety and amount of corals that Raja Ampat has." See more...
Sami Lindroos shoots the Nikon D850 inside an Ikelite Underwater Housing, focusing primarily on wide angle imagery. Sami travels the world over diving and photographing and believes that expanding your comfort zone is the best way to improve both personally and professionally. Originally from Finland, Sami is a diving instructor and tech diver. Follow ore of his work on Instagram @underwaterwonderland and Facebook.
Donna Barrett: Favorite Photos from Lembeh Strait
"Growing up I was fascinated with Sea Hunt and The Undersea World, I could not wait until I could learn to scuba dive and almost immediately began shooting photos and video underwater. I've traveled the world and am now a Dive Instructor and Travel Coordinator for my local dive shop. I love shooting huge pelagic, but my most recent favorite shoot was macro in Lembeh Strait." See more...
Donna Barrett is an underwater photographer, dive instructor, and travel coordinator for her local dive shop. Since she can remember she's been interested in the underwater world and was inspired by the like of Jacques Cousteau and others. This interest has taken her around the globe diving and photographing underwater. Donna shoots with the Canon 5D IV and uses Ikelite DS161 Strobes.
Evan Cooper: Saving Turtles One Photo at a Time
"My name is Evan Cooper, born and raised on the east coast of Florida, and now live in Gainesville Florida. I work for Sea Turtle Conservancy (STC), the world's oldest sea turtle nonprofit and conservation organization. I am a researcher, membership coordinator, content creator, and educator. I am studying and working to save sea turtles from extinction every day!" See more...
Evan Cooper is an underwater photographer and advocate with the Sea Turtle Conservancy. Having grown up on the east coast of Florida, Evan has always been been passionate about the ocean. Now he uses his passion and photography skills to help save sea turtles, you can learn more about STC on their website conserveturtles.org. You can follow Evan on Instagram @evantheturtleman and @evancooperphotography. Visit his website at evancooperphotography.com.
Daniel Sullivan: Honoring Hawaii
Photographer, filmmaker, and author Daniel Sullivan has worked with the likes of Nat Geo Channel and Discovery Channel, but his true definition of success is honoring the beauty and culture of Hawaii. See more...
Daniel Sullivan is a Maui-based photographer who's been published with Discovery, Nat Geo Channel, Outside Magazine, and Green Planet with David Attenborough. He's an author of three fine art books with a forthcoming book on the horizon. His award-winning film Koholā is currently making the rounds at film festivals and will be available to view on YouTube soon. Daniel shoots underwater with the Nikon Z8 inside an Ikelite Underwater Housing. See more of his work on Instagram @danielsullivanphotography or visit his website to learn more.
Robert Heyrich: Dumaguete Déjà Vu
Five years ago, in August 2018, Robert Heyrich visited Dumaguete in the Philippines for his first dive trip in the Pacific. Back then he was shooting with the Canon 5D IV and dual Ikelite DS51 Strobes. In the time since then he lost all of the images he shot in Dumaguete... until a few months ago when he was transferring files to a new computer. Robert got a chance to relive his dive in Dumaguete - Dumaguete déjà vu - with these refound photos and shares them now with you, too. See more...
Rob Heyrich lives in Montclair, New Jersey and has been diving since 1976 and started shooting underwater photography with a Nikonos III film camera. Rob has been using Ikelite housings and strobes since 1978. Rob loves to dive in Grand Cayman, Cuba, Bonaire and had a two week adventure in the Philippines. He owns a plumbing and heating company in New Jersey and his favorite hobby is underwater photography. He is Cathy Church taught of the Cayman Islands and dives there at least twice a year.
Tommy Pera: Living the Dream in Bonaire
Tommy Pera always dreamed of turning his underwater photography hobby into a full-time job, now he's living that exact dream in beautiful Bonaire. See more...
Since Tommy Pera's last Featured Customer publication he has completed his certification as a Dive Master and currently lives and works on beautiful Bonaire as a full-time dive professional. Tommy shoots the Canon R5 II inside an Ikelite Underwater Housing with dual Ikelite DS230 Strobes. After two decades in law enforcement Tommy spent time traveling the world with his camera. After trips to Roatan, Belize, Curacao, and the Philippines, he's finally settled down in one of his most favorite places, Bonaire. In his capacity as a dive professional he hopes to share the beauty of Bonaire with visiting divers and to encourage them to savor their memories with underwater photography. You can follow Tommy on Instagram @tommyjohn.7 and Facebook.
Kevin Dukes: The Art of Artificial Reefs
Kevin Dukes is a content creator for Visit Destin-Fort Walton Beach where one of his most exciting responsibilities is photographing newly deployed artificial reefs. Kevin shares what makes this so special saying, "Documenting these reefs is a unique opportunity—not only to record their placement but also to revisit them over time and witness how marine life transforms them into thriving ecosystems." See more...
Kevin Dukes is an underwater photographer and content creator for Visit Destin-Fort Walton Beach where he documents newly deployed artificial reefs and documents their transformation over time. Kevin shoots with the Canon R6 II inside an Ikelite Underwater Housing and dual Ikelite strobes. You can learn more about Kevin and follow along on his Floridian underwater adventures on Instagram @duke_n_ator.
Timo Schönfelder: An Experience Beyond Words [VIDEO]
"This short film captures an unforgettable week spent at sea off the coast of Northern Norway. Equipped with 7mm wetsuits and surrounded by icy Arctic waters, we documented the awe-inspiring presence of orcas and humpback whales. The film combines intimate moments and dramatic encounters, conveying both the beauty of these giants and the raw atmosphere of life in the far North." Watch the video...
Timo Schönfelder is a filmmaker and photographer from Germany, specializing in nature, wildlife, and travel storytelling. His work combines cinematic landscapes with intimate close-ups of animals and natural details, always aiming to capture the atmosphere of a place and the fleeting moments within it. Timo’s projects often take him outdoors for extended periods of time, documenting both the beauty and the challenges of wild environments. With an authentic and emotional narrative style, his films and photographs seek to inspire a deeper connection to the natural world and raise awareness for its protection. Visit Timo's website, follow on Instagram @timoschonfelder and @timo_rv, and see more of his videography work on YouTube @timoschonfelder.
Kevin Quischan: Belize My Travels
Kevin W. Quischan is a Placencia Village-based visual storyteller specializing in photography and videography. He captures the essence of Belize, from the depths of its underwater wonders to the heights of its aerial vistas. See more...
Kevin Quischan is an underwater photographer and videographer specializing in luxury resort lifestyle photography and media marketing from Placencia Village, Belize. He shoots with the Sony a7S III inside an Ikelite 200DL Underwater Housing, Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 GM and Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM lenses, and dual DS51 II strobes. Visit his website and follow him on Instagram @belizemytravels to see all of his enchanting imagery from Belize and beyond.
Robert Renfrow: Full Time Zookeeper, Part Time Divemaster
"My favorite things to capture on film are sharks, reef fish, and all the wrecks we have off the coast of Destin, Florida, soon to include the SS United States!" See more...
Robert Renfrow is a retired U.S. Air Force airman spending his retirement in Navarre, Florida where he's able to dive year round. He's currently a full time zookeeper and part time dive master with Shark Quest and is the creative mind behind the YouTube channel The Deco Stop. Since diving into his YouTube channel he's upgraded from an action camera underwater to the Sony a7 IV inside an Ikelite Underwater Housing. You can see more of Robert's work on his Facebook, and subscribe to his YouTube channel to keep up with his underwater adventures.
It's Your Time to Shine!
What have you been doing with all those great photos you've taken underwater? Why don't you share them with the world? Step into the spotlight, submit your work to be published in our Featured Customers Gallery.
Additional Viewing
What I Wish I Knew When I Started in Underwater Photography [VIDEO]
Photo Contest Tips From a 100x Winner
Safety Advice for Underwater Photographers
