Editors Note: This episode was originally distributed through TWiP – This Week in Photo, and the YouTube Video above is through the TWiP YouTube Page. Please be sure to subscribe to their YouTube page, and visit their site to check out all of the TWiP shows.

Brett Stanley is an internationally recognized Australian photographer that specializes in underwater portrait and fine art photography. Brett’s work has been published worldwide, and a quick browse through his portfolio shows why. Working with gymnasts, aerial performers, and cosplay artists, he creates images that seem to stop the world in a dream.

In 2013, after falling in love with underwater portraiture, Brett made the move from New Zealand, where he had lived for over 10 years, to Los Angeles and his career has since taken him to countries around the world. His relaxed style helps create a safe and enjoyable environment for his clients, many of whom can’t even swim, and his eye for the surreal completes the final image.

Brett’s goal is to bring the underwater experience to anyone who dreams of the surreal and fantastic, and to push the boundaries of what can be done underwater. Underwater photography and lighting doesn’t alway come easy with today’s gear, and when the gear available doesn’t fit his needs he takes matters into his own hands. He is routinely creating his own underwater equipment in order to bring to life the images he wants to create.

Brett holds underwater photography workshops for groups, as well as one-on-one, for people wanting to learn more about shooting underwater and lighting creatively.

Join Brett and me on this episode of Behind the shot as we discuss underwater photography, and examine his image “Starlight”.

Personal: brettstanleyphoto.com