MEMO FOR AN UNDERWATER MODEL

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS FOR UNDERWATER PHOTOSHOOT:

1. Sleep well before underwater photoshoot.
2. Be sure to eat complex carbohydrates for breakfast (cereals). The loss of energy (calories) in water occurs fairly quickly, so you need complex slow carbohydrates, but do not overeat in any case. Shooting lasts about an hour.
3. It is not recommended to conduct any medical procedures 3-4 days before the underwater shooting, which can weaken your immune system and general condition (for example, dentistry, blood donation, surgery, etc.), as well as take part in underwater photography in case of an acute respiratory disease and / or a decrease in the stability of the immune system.
4. It is necessary to have removable shoes with a non-slippery sole, a large warm bath towel, eye drops. If possible, take a thermos with hot tea. It is strictly forbidden to “warm up” with alcoholic beverages neither before nor after the shooting!!!
5. If you have aquaphobia / hydrophobia and you are still determined to do an underwater photoshoot, I strongly recommend practicing first in the bathroom or pool. You must clearly understand whether you can psychologically endure underwater photography without serious stress.
6. The first 5-10 minutes, practice diving and swimming in a pool in a costume, open your eyes. If there is fear, panic, severe discomfort - inform the photographer. Stress and panic can lead to accidents!!!
7. Attentively listen to the photographer and her/his instructions.
8. Underwater photo-/video shooting with small and minor children require the presence of a mom or dad. It is a must!
9. When shooting in open water, the presence of an additional lifesaver is required.
10. When shooting at large / small depths with an interval air supply through the regulator, the model must be either a professional free diver or a certified diver. Make sure to bring and show a related certificate.
11. When shooting pregnancy - be sure to consult with your doctor. All pregnancy proceeds differently and each organism is unique. When taking a model underwater, they hold their breath; this can affect the mother's body and the baby. Ideally, written permission from the attending physician. Remember, you are fully responsible not only for your life, but also for the life of your child.
12. If you wear lenses / glasses, they must be removed during the underwater shooting. Under the water, you will see everything blurry and unclear in any case.

GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR AN UNDERWATER MODEL:

Fear of opening eyes under water is quite common. Any fear can be overcome. Not right away but gradually. Exercise breath retention at home (if possible in the bathroom or swimming pool) and opening the eyes under water:

• Practice first at home in the bathroom or with the help of a clean light basin. Immerse your head in water and slowly open your eyes. Breathe slowly and measuredly. Next time try to note the time. Repeat, increasing the time under water to 30 - 60 seconds.
• Repeat in the same way in the pool where there is clean water with minimum bleach content. First try with swimming goggles. Then remove them under water in small parts and slowly open your eyes.
• After a workout, if necessary, use eye drops (the photographer always has drops with her/him as well).
• Ask someone close to help you and be near. Support is always important.

2. During underwater photoshoot it is very important to control several things at once:

• Do not let bulbs through the nose and mouth;
• relax the muscles of the face and not blink;
• open your eyes;
• control the location and movement of the hair (should not cover the face);
• control the posing, especially the movement of arms and legs - everything under the water should be done smoothly, relaxed and gentle, so that the frames are not blurred;
• move slowly so as not to get entangled in the dress and suit (wet clothes are heavier and harder to move).
• practicing posturing at home - fix in front of the mirror, on paper and on the photo (with subsequent viewing and work on the mistakes) those positions in which the most advantageous and beautiful angle. Clearly work out the slow movement of the arms / hands / fingers, feet, body position, full face, profile etc.

Control over the location of hair:

• to lift and fluff up the hair, you can slightly bounce up in the water and during the subsequent descent the hair goes up and develops beautifully;
• you can fix the hair with your hands.

3. In underwater photography, it is very beautiful to use a mirror reflection under the surface of the water, so you need to be directly below the surface for mirror frames, you shouldn’t dive deep in this case.
4. Safety first! Especially when it comes to posing in open water on a breath hold or with an aqualung. Make sure that there is a lifeguard nearby and all participants have been instructed in safety (I am a Certified Lifeguard, as well as an assistant who is a professional underwater instructor in the pool).
5. It is advisable to be trained in basic swimming disciplines and breathing techniques (for example, breathing exercises, pranayama, etc.).
6. If possible, try swimming in clothes, especially in long and massive dresses, learn the basics of posing and practice posing in the pool very smoothly and slowly.
7. Feel your buoyancy - without clothes and in clothes. The buoyancy control will help to pose beautifully.
8. Test Make-up - this can be done in the bath, shower or pool. Not all waterproof cosmetics can withstand 1 hour or more under water. Under water makeup is almost invisible so you need to paint the face, eyes and lips quite intensively.
9. Agree on a communication procedure with all participants - usually, a briefing is given before the shooting. Communication can be oral, written (on a special tablet) or gestures.
10. The most important - Relax! Stay calm! And have fun!

UNDERWATER POSING RECOMMENDATIONS:

• Before taking a picture, while shooting or taking a certain pose, stay relaxed. Imagine that you are a yogi or a dancer. Every gesture should be slow, smooth, graceful, and feminine, as if you are a divine nymph.
• If a model cannot easily assume the required pose, then the reason is not in the model, but in the pose. Each posture should be natural, free and comfortable, so that one gets the impression that the model does not pose at all, but simply “entered the frame”.
• Underwater flashes recharge at a certain interval, so it is not recommended to radically change the posture after each click of the camera: only one element of posing changes from frame to frame (head tilt, arm / leg position, hip turn);
• It is better to pose under water in one plane, without directing arms, hands, legs (including knees) into the camera;
• The position of the hands and fingers of the model should be as natural as possible:
• Do not point fingers (palms) into the camera;
• Do not squeeze your fingers. Leave them slightly relaxed (otherwise the picture will give the impression that they are missing);
• gracefully pull the fingers without squeezing them together;
• Make sure that the hair does not cover your face (see general recommendations).