Although he grew up as a sportsman in France, Julien always knew he would end up on a tropical island sooner or later. After 17 years as a professional volleyball player and captain of the French national team for more than 200 games, he pursued his passion for «the silent world» by diving in the Mediterranean Sea.
Julien has worked on all five continents, and it is through the people he has met on his travels and expeditions around the world that he has developed as a person, photographer and rebreather diver. He has contributed to the introduction of a more ecological approach to Marine Protected Areas in the Mediterranean Sea. He has collaborated with scuba diving expeditions, magazines and television documentary filmmakers around the world.
The torpedo! We know that social interactions are very succinct between humpback whales! That day, this calf said to himself: "Awesome! A new friend!" Mara’a (French Polynesia). © Anton Julien – Make Life a Dive
The Mediterranean moray eel is almost blind, but it can feel the electronic signal of the camera and becomes very curious. Marseille (France). © Anton Julien – Make Life a Dive
A big group of spinner dolphins came to play around my paddle board. They were very shy but gave me a few seconds to capture this split shot. Punaauia (French Polynesia). © Anton Julien – Make Life a Dive
This yearling female humpback whale stopped right in front of me. She didn’t move an inch, her eyes were focused on me, and I am pretty sure I saw a playful smile on her rostrum! Paea (French Polynesia). © Anton Julien – Make Life a Dive
Reflexion! Ia Ora Beach (French Polynesia). © Anton Julien – Make Life a Dive
Diving in the restricted marine area of Tahiti lagoon. Always a paradoxical feeling watching a sunken boat, the end of its first story and the growth of the underwater life on this new artificial reef. Faa’a (French Polynesia). © Anton Julien – Make Life a Dive
One of my first shots with my 60mm lens. I spent minutes eye to eye with this peaceful green turtle watching me, asking myself which one of us was the most curious! Punaauia (French Polynesia). © Anton Julien – Make Life a Dive
The atmosphère of Moorea lagoon: schools of crazy banded sergeants with the legendary mount Mou’a Puta. Haapiti (French Polynesia). © Anton Julien – Make Life a Dive
I like to take my paddle board and my camera for (very early) morning walks. On this day towards the ocean side and coming from nowhere this young male found me… We danced together for more than one hour under the protective supervision of his mum who remained in the background. Sapinus (French Polynesia). © Anton Julien – Make Life a Dive
After chewing my fins, regulators and strobes, this female sea lion calmed down and posed for me! La Paz (Mexico). © Anton Julien – Make Life a Dive
Mum and calf hugging along the reef and in shallow water. I've waited for this moment for a month! The split shots are always very technical and creative. I love the idea of « the other side of the mirror » Temaruata (French Polynesia). © Anton Julien – Make Life a Dive
Fakarava south pass vibes! Unesco Biosphere Reserve. Known as the wall of sharks and its internationally renowned coral reef. Fakarava (French Polynesia). © Anton Julien – Make Life a Dive
The lionfish, a nocturnal predator waiting for its prey. Faa’a (French Polynesia). © Anton Julien – Make Life a Dive
On the way back from a deep rebreather dive, I was looking for a creative element to give something special to this colorful drop-off. Arue (French Polynesia). © Anton Julien – Make Life a Dive
Anton Julien is based in French Polynesia, the best playground for ocean lovers. He never dives without his camera and always tries to share all the emotions he felt through his pictures from the Fakarava passes to Rangiroa’s lagoon or swimming with the humpback whales in Tahiti. He uses the Panasonic Lumix GX9 inside an Ikelite Underwater Housing with the Ikelite 8 inch Dome Port V2. You can follow Julien's work via his website www.makelifeadive.com or Instagram @make_life_a_dive
Additional Reading
Gray Whales, Blue Water | Photographing Humpback Whales in Moorea
How to Shoot Split Shots (Half-In, Half-Out of the Water)
Turtle Photography Underwater Camera Settings
