mentoring
with Sophia
“I’m so thankful for all the knowledge Sophia shared with me and the beautiful places she took me. Working with her was a dream!”
if you’re interested in learning how to shoot underwater or if you just want to up your underwater game, i’m here to help!
When I started shooting underwater back in 2014 there were no resources or anyone else doing ocean underwater portraits. I had to learn by trial and error what worked and what didn’t work.
Today, I’m super stoked to be able to share my knowledge and expertise with other photographers you want to dive into the world of underwater photography.
It doesn’t matter if you’re going to be shooting in a pool, in the ocean or in other bodies of water - the underwater world is amazing and I hope to help you maximize your potential to make killer images!
Here are some things you can look forward to:
equipment help
This is the most common question I get: “What equipment do you use?”
I shoot with Canon cameras + lenses and Aquatech water housings. I will share every little detail with you, especially when it comes to lenses. I will also help you shop for the correct lens, if you don’t already have one that will work for underwater work - even if it’s from other brands.
Investing in a water housing will be a major step too. I am so incredibly pumped that I am now part of the Aquatech affiliate program and can offer you 10% off if you decide to buy their housing! I’ve been using them since 2015 and still think they’re the best option out there (and their customer service is killer).
If you’re just checking out this page and thought “hey, I want 10% off” just click on this link and use the code AF-SOPHIA-USA to get yourself a discount on any full price item on the Aquatech site (including lens ports and domes and their AxisGo phone cases)
accessories and diving tips
Shooting underwater also requires some fun accessories (like a snorkel mask and other diving gear).
I will absolutely share with you my most favorite accessories and the ones that are most comfortable to use - that way you can put your whole energy into SHOOTING.
I will also share tips on how to get yourself underwater and how to stay there so you can shoot the images you want. This applies to pools too!
Jamie Cadiente of Modern Milestones Hawaii mentoring with me in Kona, Big Island.
and so many other things!
There is SO MUCH we can cover! From handling water leaks, to communicating with your clients when you’re in the water! How to pose without getting cheesy, how to use fabrics safely, and most important of all: how to keep yourself safe and your client safe!
I’m here to help with whatever questions you may have!
Take a look below and see what kind of mentoring options I offer. I hope we can connect and explore the underwater world together!
ONLINE MINI MENTORING // $500
If you’re out of state, we can start here! We’ll meet via the best online platform (zoom, skype, facetime, etc) and go over the concepts you are struggling with in regards to shooting underwater.
This is also a great starting place if you’ve never shot underwater and are wondering how to start, what gear to get, etc.
This is a 45 minute mentoring session where we’ll focus on what you want to focus, so bring all your questions!
These are some of the most common things I cover: best lenses, what kind of waterproof cases work best, how to improve breath hold, how to communicate with your client in the water, safety precautions, how to track swells/tides, best time of the day to shoot, what happens when you get a water leak, etc
*$200 deposit due at the time of booking, remaining balance due the day of our meeting.
ONLINE MENTORING // $900
This is a longer version of the online mini mentoring. This is a great option if you want to follow up with a second, longer and more targeted talk after your first session with me.
This is also a great option if you know exactly what you want to work on and we can hone in on those detailed topics for a solid 2 hours and you can walk away with all your questions answered!
Editing underwater shots is also another great option for this!
*$200 deposit due at the time of booking, remaining balance due the day of our meeting.
IN PERSON MENTORING + WATER TIME // $1,500
This is an awesome option if you are local to me, or if you’re flying to Hawaii to mentor with me. We will meet first thing in the morning and spend an hour getting you comfortable with your water housing, your settings, and getting used to handling the underwater set up. If you already shoot in the water and are comfortable handling your housing, we will focus more on the optimal settings and communication part of shooting underwater.
We will hop in the water for about 40 minutes to an hour and put all the theory into practical action and also look at water clarity, light, etc and how to use that to your advantage.
I’ll ask you what kind of underwater photography you want to focus on before hand. This can be anywhere from maternity, to couples, to families, and also how deep of a location you have available where you live. We will cater the experience to what you will be able to offer to your clients.
*$200 deposit due at the time of booking, remaining balance due the day of our meeting (payment plans available). You must provide your own underwater equipment and show up ready to get it the water.
ALL OUT MENTORING // $3,200
This is a 2 day all out adventure with me! This is a great option if you are flying from out of state or out of country to learn from me and want to soak up (literally) all the water time. We will take the theory and the practical side of shooting underwater to the next level and spend a ton of time together so we can literally send you off ready to tackle on shooting in the water.
We’ll meet up first thing in the first morning and go over the initial theory, then we’ll hop in the water and work through any issues you may have. We’ll eat lunch together and decompress for the next day. The next morning, we’ll do the same, but this time we’ll have a model or models - depending on what kind of photography you are wanting to offer.
This also includes a 45 minute online mentoring session prior to you coming to Hawaii so we can discuss all the equipment you need and how to get ready.
I’ll ask you what kind of underwater photography you want to focus on before hand. This can be anywhere from maternity, to couples, to families, and also how deep of a location you have available where you live. We will cater the experience to what you will be able to offer to your clients.
*$200 deposit due at the time of booking, remaining balance due the day of our meeting (payment plans available). You must provide your own underwater equipment and show up ready to get it the water.
want me to fly to you so we can shoot in your own environment? I kindly ask that you also pay for my airfare and car rental.