How to Choose the Best Underwater Location for Portrait Photography

If you are exploring underwater portrait photography, one of the most important decisions you will make is choosing the right location. The type of water you shoot in, whether it's a pool, freshwater spring, or the ocean directly affects your lighting, water clarity, safety, gear handling, and overall session success.

Today we'll explore the three most common underwater photography environments and break down the pros, cons, and complexities of each. Whether you're a beginner underwater photographer building a portfolio, or an experienced creative planning your next location shoot, understanding the strengths and challenges of these environments will help you make informed choices and deliver consistently strong results.

1. Pool Photography for Underwater Portraits

Why Pools Are the Best Starting Point for Underwater Shoots

Swimming pools are the most beginner-friendly location for underwater photography. They offer a clean, controlled environment where photographers can master essential techniques such as buoyancy control, underwater lighting, and subject posing.

Pools are easy to access and typically available year-round. Whether you use a private backyard pool, rent a commercial aquatic facility, or book a photography-friendly studio pool, you can count on consistent water variables such as quality, visibility, and temperature most of the time.

Advantages of Pool Environments

In a pool setting, you're free from natural variables like tides, wind, and debris. Water is calm, entry and exit points are simple, and clients usually feel more comfortable because pools are familiar and non-threatening. Shallow areas allow for easy breaks and better communication between you and your subject.

From a lighting perspective, pools offer easier control. You can position strobes at the water's edge or use waterproof continuous lights to shape your scene. If the pool is sized properly, you can shield the water from the sun. The consistency of artificial lighting combined with predictable water movement helps photographers focus on their client's safety and the photography rather than problem-solving environmental issues in the moment.

Pool Limitations

Despite the control they offer, pools come with some visual drawbacks. Tile patterns, pool ladders, and bland walls distracting or unimaginative in the background. Smaller pools may restrict your ability to capture wide compositions or dynamic movement. Chlorine can also cause irritation or long-term wear on underwater housings, gowns, and props, if not managed properly.

✅ Pool Photography Pros

• Easy access and high availability
• Controlled water clarity and lighting
• Ideal for client comfort and safety
• Excellent for learning core underwater photography skills
• Allows for extensive lighting experimentation

❌ Pool Photography Cons

• Visually limited natural backgrounds and restricted space
• Hard surfaces and tiles can disrupt aesthetics
• Chlorine may affect skin and camera gear

Pro Tip: If you're new to underwater portrait photography, pools are the safest and most reliable place to start mastering your technique.

2. Freshwater Underwater Photography in Lakes, Rivers, and Natural Springs

Exploring Natural Water Locations for Portrait Sessions

Freshwater environments offer a beautiful transition from pool-based photography to more natural, open-water sessions. Photographers often choose lakes, rivers, or clear freshwater springs to create portraits with organic textures, natural lighting, and atmospheric depth.

Freshwater springs, particularly in Florida and other karst regions, are some of the clearest and most photogenic underwater locations in the world. Sandy bottoms, filtered sunlight, and natural surroundings make them a favorite among underwater portrait photographers. However, access is often regulated, and commercial photography may require permits or park approval.

Shooting in Lakes and Rivers

Lakes and rivers provide a different set of conditions. Visibility can range from clear to cloudy based on recent weather, water traffic, or algae levels. Rivers may contain natural tannins that color the water brown or tea-like. While these factors can limit clarity, they also present opportunities for more moody, dramatic portraiture.

Water temperature is another consideration. Many springs stay at a constant 70–72°F (21–22°C), which can feel cold to clients and limit session time. Some freshwater areas also have uneven terrain or submerged rocks and wildlife, so scouting your location ahead of time is essential for safety.

✅ Freshwater Photography Pros

• Access to scenic and natural underwater backdrops
• Clear spring water offers beautiful light and visibility
• Organic textures enhance visual storytelling
• Great for building outdoor underwater experience
• Ideal for lifestyle, fine art, and conceptual sessions

❌ Freshwater Photography Cons

• Visibility can change due to rainfall or sediment
• Temperature may be uncomfortable for long sessions
• Some locations require permits or fees
• Less lighting control than pool environments
• Navigating entry points or rocky bottoms can be difficult

Pro Tip: Freshwater springs and rivers allow underwater photographers the ability to shoot underwater portraits in a more natural and cinematic style, but planning and scouting are key to success.

3. Saltwater and Ocean Underwater Photography Present the Ultimate Challenge

Is the Ocean a Good Place for Underwater Portraits?

Saltwater environments like oceans and seas offer some of the most visually striking, natural backdrops in underwater photography, but they are also the most challenging. Changing visibility, tidal movement, and harsh conditions make ocean photography best suited for advanced or professional underwater photographers and skilled freedivers.

Saltwater locations require extensive preparation. Tidal charts, wind forecasts, and water clarity reports should all be part of your pre-shoot planning. Even calm-looking water may hide dangerous undertows, rip currents, or sediment that can reduce visibility or pose risks to your subject.

Technical Considerations for Saltwater Shoots

Saltwater is corrosive. Your underwater camera housing must be properly sealed and rinsed with freshwater immediately after use. Even polyacrylic housing has metal button springs and screws that are exposed to the saltwater. Any leaks can destroy sensitive electronics. Unlike freshwater, salt leaves minerals behind that create more headaches than just the water does. Ocean conditions also introduce logistical challenges such as boat activities, hazardous marine life (large and small), or environmental restrictions in marine-protected zones.

Clients must be strong swimmers and comfortable with open water. Unlike pools or springs, there are no walls or shallow areas to rest. Even if you stay close to shore, the waves will push and pull not allowing more than a few seconds of rest. Posing and communication are significantly more difficult, so sessions should be brief, well-rehearsed, and guided by safety-first protocols.

✅ Saltwater Photography Pros

• Expansive scenes with unmatched depth and drama
• Gorgeous natural lighting when conditions are clear
• Unique marine textures (reefs, sand, open water)
• Ideal for editorial, conceptual, or commercial work
• Stunning aesthetic potential for portfolio pieces

❌ Saltwater Photography Cons

• Highly variable visibility and wave conditions
• Strong current and surf complicate client safety
• Salt is hard on underwater gear and electronics
• Often requires boats, guides, or additional crew
• Not beginner-friendly for clients or photographers

Pro Tip: Ocean photography creates breathtaking underwater portraits but should only be attempted after mastering pool and freshwater environments.

4. How to Choose the Best Underwater Location for Your Next Portrait Photography Session

Whether you are planning your first underwater portrait session or expanding into new environments, your location should match your skill level, creative goals, and client's comfort.

Here's a quick comparison to help guide your decision:

Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Location:

• How experienced is my client in the water?
• Can I manage the lighting and visibility in this setting?
• Do I have proper gear and backup plans for environmental challenges?
• Is the location legally accessible for commercial or creative work?
• Does this location match the visual style I want to achieve?

Pro Tip: Matching your underwater location to your client's comfort and your own technical skill is the key to a successful shoot, no matter the setting. Your client should never "tell" you where the session will be. It needs to be a joint decision based on everyone's comfort and skills.

Start Your Underwater Portrait Photography Simply, and Grow with Intention

The journey of becoming a skilled underwater portrait photographer begins with understanding your environment. Pools give you control and space to learn. Freshwater opens doors to natural beauty and creative exploration. Saltwater demands more technical expertise but rewards you with unmatched natural scenes.

Start with what you can control. Practice consistently. Learn from each environment before leveling up to the next. The more intentional you are with your location choices, the more confident and creatively free you will become underwater.

If you're ready to move forward with intention, we're here to help. Check out our workshops, courses, and resources at the Underwater Creatives Academy. You don't have to figure it out alone—and you'll get better, faster, when you don't.