Underwater Studio Photography Workshop
LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA
14-16 April 2023 (Sold Out)
15-17 September 2023
FEATURING PROFESSIONAL UNDERWATER MODEL HANNAH MERMAID
ARE YOU AN UNDERWATER PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHER LOOKING TO HONE YOUR SKILLS, OR MAYBE A LAND PHOTOGRAPHER LOOKING TO MOVE INTO UNDERWATER?
The Underwater Studio Photography Workshops will help you to learn and up-skill in this amazingly creative niche genre.
What is underwater studio photography?
Underwater studio photography is the process of treating a swimming pool like a photography studio and creating work like you would in a dry studio, but utilising all the amazing traits that water can provide. It’s an approach that creates a mindset which looks at all aspects of the pool as potential backdrops for the photoshoot.

The Schedule
To make the most of your time I’ve broken the workshop down in to 3 Days/Sections: Underwater Photography Techniques, Studio Lighting, and Retouch/Post-production .
You’re welcome to book one or all sections of the workshop, but I would recommend all if you wanted to get the full impact of this course.
All days are 10am – 6pm, with an hour lunch break.
Class numbers are limited to 4 people per day, so that everyone gets a decent amount of attention and time with the models during the workshop.
On our first day we will be covering beginner topics, starting from scratch for anyone that might be new to underwater portrait photography or someone who wants to refresher/learn a different technique.
This will be a hands on day with lots of theory, including shooting with our models – one of which will be new to this so you can learn how to direct inexperienced subjects.
- Types of gear/uses
- Gear maintenance
- Terminology
- Camera settings
- Lens choices
- Basic underwater physics
- Shoot safety/common dangers
- Breath-hold techniques
- Staying steady underwater
- Fabric/wardrobe choices
- Shooting with backgrounds
- Working with Natural light – Overview
- Working with Artificial light – Overview
- Open water vs closed water shooting
- Working with models (2 models & 2 outfits each)
- Dealing with unpredictability (Chaos Theory)
- Pool care and best practices
- Post shoot tasks
Next we will be taking everything we learned on Day 1 and turning it up a notch with lighting and more creative techniques. This is where I show you the lighting secrets I’ve cultivated and honed over the last 8 years shooting underwater – and give you the techniques to create your own lighting style!
We will have two very experienced underwater models on the day with a variety of outfits, and a variety of lighting styles to learn.
- Posing and performance coaching (2 models & 2 outfits each)
- Strobes vs natural light
- Strobes vs video lights
- Lighting gear choices
- Underwater light physics
- Triggering strobes
- “Dry” Strobes
- “Wet” Strobes
- On Camera strobes
- Lighting only from above
- Lighting only from underwater
- Mixing light sources
- Using Coloured Gels
- Shaping light
- Special effects
After all this image taking, we now move on to the final creative step – post production. This day will be dedicated to polishing and crafting the images we took over the weekend, or images you’ve taken previously, in both Lightroom and Photoshop.
We will be working on your images, so you can see how this affects your style and workflow.
- Reviewing images
- Importing
- Cleaning up
- Removing pool tiles
- Dealing with backscatter
- Skin tones
- Cut off limbs
- Poor water quality
- Fixing reflections
- Realistic compositing
- Colour grading
- Exporting
- Dealing with hair
- Adding light sources
- Lightroom & Photoshop
What to Bring
- Camera, cards, batteries, and underwater housing with sync port (Optional, as we can provide a shared camera/housing if needed)
- Swimwear/Towels
- Mask
- Weightbelt (Optional)
- Sunscreen
- Hat
- Summer footwear
What's Included
- Lunch, snacks, and drinks each day
- Most equipment (see “what to to bring”)
- 2 models, outfits, makeup (days 1 & 2)
What's Not Included
- Transportation or airfare
- Accommodation

The Location
The workshop will be held at my custom build underwater studio, in Long Beach California. The studio is outdoor with loads of space so we will be able to socially distance and plenty of shade to keep out of the sun.
The studio is 20 mins from Long Beach Airport (LGB), 45mins from Los Angeles Airport (LAX), and a variety of accommodation options in the area. It’s also only 20 mins from the Catalina Island Ferry if you wanted to hit the island.
REQuirements
A $400 non-refundable deposit will be required to secure your spot at the workshop.
All attendees must be in good health and able to swim in at least 9ft of water.
All attendees must be fully vaccinated at least 2 weeks before the workshop, submit a negative covid test within 2 days of the workshop, and we will be following Los Angeles Covid 19 safety guidelines as per the date of the workshops.
Frequently Asked Questions
Testimonials
Attending this workshop has been on my list of things to do for a while. I was finally able to go and had a great time. Teaching style was great and lots of hands on. If you have a chance to go definitely take it!
Rajiv C
I followed Brett’s advice in every way while in Maui! Thank you, Brett, for sharing all that knowledge! Without it, I wouldn’t have dreamed to attempt doing this on my own.
Breanna C
Brett has a passion for this industry and truly seems to enjoy the teaching aspect just as much as any other part. He presents himself as confident while avoiding coming across as arrogant and is able to communicate concepts to various experience levels. From my experience, one of the most valuable aspects of Brett’s mentoring sessions is that he leaves you with clear, actionable steps to take.
Andrew S
Taking Brett Stanley’s underwater photography workshop was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made! His knowledge and experience really shows through in his teaching. Not only did I learn all about underwater photography, but I had a blast doing it. Brett you rock and I can’t wait to put all your teaching into action! Thank you, hope to work with you again soon 😊
Kelly F
Talking with Brett is always a wonderful experience! Whether we’re chatting about creative feedback or the business of photography, he always has valuable insight to share along with a warm and welcoming demeanor. It’s a joy to know a fellow artist who values creative collaboration as much as I do!
Justin L
Being a young guppie in the large ocean of needed knowledge to be a good underwater photographer, Brett helped my work go from 0 to 10000 in just one session of learning. My very first paid session was extremely nerve-racking, but Brett prepared me beautifully, and I killed the session using his advice!
Taylor R
About Brett Stanley
Brett Stanley is an internationally recognised, award winning underwater portrait photographer and cinematographer based in Long Beach, California. His unique approach to photographing people underwater over the past 8 years has solidified him as one of the leaders in this niche genre and his image style is instantly recognisable.
After Brett’s Underwater Pole Dance series went viral in 2015 he has been innovating the techniques of underwater portrait photography, and by building underwater sets he’s been pushing what is capable below the surface.
As a teacher, Brett has years of experience and problem solving to share with his students. His obsession with everything underwater drives him to share as much as he can with those he’s mentoring and he loves seeing other’s success in this realm.
Brett is also the host of The Underwater Podcast and editor of Waterproof Magazine.
Investment
Day 1: Underwater Photography Techniques – $989
Day 2: Studio Lighting Techniques – $1499
Day 3: Image Review/Post Production – $599
Full 3 Day Package – $2799
The workshop is split into 3 distinct days, and you’re welcome to book 1 or all 3 but each day is limited to 4 attendees maximum.
How To Book
Please fill out the form with your details, which days you are interested in, and current underwater photography level so we can cater the workshop to your needs.