Leave Nothing But Bubbles, Take Nothing But Photos – The Principles of Leave No Trace for Underwater Portrait Photographers

The underwater world is a vibrant ecosystem of breathtaking beauty, but it's increasingly vulnerable to human impact. As underwater portrait photographers, we are privileged to witness and capture the magic of the submerged world, but with that privilege comes a profound responsibility: to protect the very environments that captivate our audience. Outside of the global impacts of human influenced climate changes, the places we go and the mark we leave can have profound impacts on the local environment. A single footprint can leave a lasting mark on a micro-habitat, or a fin blade scraping across eelgrass can displace the very organisms that live there, making them more susceptible to predation. That's why, as visitors to these incredible environments, it's our responsibility to share the weight of providing care and protection. You wouldn't want a giant to storm through your neighborhood smashing houses at will without a care for the people living in them would you? That's why, as an underwater portrait photographer, you have a responsibility toward the stewardship of the environment, and should practice the basic tenets of Leave No Trace.

The principles of Leave No Trace (LNT) provide a framework for minimizing our impact on the world as well as the underwater environment. Its guidelines ensure that the beauty we capture today remains for generations to come. Today we'll explore the core principles of LNT, and emphasize their importance for underwater portrait photographers while outlining practical steps for implementing these principles in our work and interactions with others.

What is Leave No Trace?

Leave No Trace is an ethical framework that promotes responsible outdoor recreation and minimizes human impact on natural environments. It's a set of seven principles designed to guide our actions in the outdoors, whether we're hiking in the mountains, camping in the forest, or exploring the underwater world. These principles are not just guidelines; they represent a commitment to preserving the integrity of natural spaces and ensuring their continued health and beauty. LNT is about minimizing our footprint, respecting wildlife, and preserving the natural character of the places we visit. It's a philosophy that encourages us to be mindful stewards of the environment, leaving it as pristine as we found it, or even better.

The seven principles of Leave No Trace are interconnected and work together to minimize our impact. They are:

1. Plan ahead and prepare: This principle emphasizes the importance of research and planning before venturing into the outdoors. It includes understanding the specific regulations and guidelines for the area you'll be visiting, preparing for potential hazards, and packing out all trash.
2. Travel and camp on durable surfaces: This principle encourages us to choose established trails and campsites whenever possible, minimizing our impact on fragile vegetation and soil. In the underwater context, this means avoiding contact with sensitive coral reefs, not laying in a bed or eelgrass, and entering and exiting the water at only designated egress locations (among many other things).
3. Dispose of waste properly: This principle stresses the importance of packing out all trash, including food scraps, wrappers, and cigarette butts. It also includes disposing of human waste responsibly and avoiding the use of soaps or detergents that can harm the environment. For the water environment, this would include not using materials that will decompose or fall apart in the water such as glitter or sequins, avoiding sunscreen, oils, or makeup products that are harmful to the environment, and collecting and removing any trash or debris you find in the water or on the bottom.
4. Leave what you find: This principle encourages us to leave natural objects, such as rocks, shells, and plants undisturbed. Collecting souvenirs can have a cumulative impact on the environment, especially in popular areas. Moving branches or rocks because they impede your shot is not acceptable. You should work around the environment, not make it work around you.
5. Minimize campfire impacts: While campfires are less common in the underwater context, this principle emphasizes the importance of minimizing our impact when using fire in the outdoors. For underwater photographers, this might translate to being mindful of the use of artificial lights, ensuring they don't disturb sensitive aquatic life. If you're a diver, you're probably aware of the impact of lights on a night dive with tarpon around. They'll hunt by your light and if you shine a light on a pretty fish, it may become a quick snack.
6. Respect wildlife: This principle encourages us to observe wildlife from a distance and avoid disturbing their natural behavior. It also includes avoiding feeding wildlife, as this can alter their natural foraging patterns and make them dependent on humans. In Florida, we shoot a lot of our work at the Florida Springs. The Springs are home to venomous snakes, snapping turtles, alligators, manatees, and hundreds of species of fish, plantlife, invertebrates, birds (such as the sandhill crane), and so many other organisms. Laws protect many of these however, LNT practices means even if not protected by law, you have a duty to protect them with your careful activities.
7. Be considerate of other visitors: This principle emphasizes the importance of respecting the experience of other people enjoying the outdoors. It includes minimizing noise, being courteous on trails, and avoiding actions that could disrupt the peace and tranquility of natural spaces. In our Florida state parks, we have un-restricted permission to photography as long as we follow the standard rules and we do not impede the free use of the park to other patrons. That means not telling people to move out of your shot, not taking up or hogging entry and exit points, and not making others feel uncomfortable as if they are impeding your work. Actions like this will quickly get you removed from the parks and force the State to either ban photography without a permit, or altogether. Remember, your actions have a broader impact that you can imagine.

Why is Leave No Trace Important for Underwater Portrait Photographers?

Underwater portrait photographers have a unique connection to the aquatic world. We are not just observers or participants in this ecosystem, we are the ones that blend the human and aquatic world. There's many different philosophies and physiological conditions that show a distinct relationship between humans and water, and it's the underwater portrait photographer who has the unique ability to show that intriguing relationship. Our actions can have a significant impact on not only the environment, but human actions and emotion. The principles of LNT are particularly important for underwater portrait photographers because they help us minimize our physical impact, protect the delicate aquatic life while we conduct our photoshoot, and preserve the beauty of underwater environments for future generations. Our role extends beyond capturing stunning images; we become ambassadors for the underwater world, educating others about its fragility and inspiring them to protect it.

As underwater photographers, we often work in sensitive environments, such as coral reefs, kelp forests, grass beds, springs, etc. These ecosystems are home to a diverse range of aquatic life, and they are easily disturbed by human activity. Our fins can damage coral, our lights can disorient animals, and our presence can disrupt natural behaviors. By adhering to the principles of LNT, we can minimize our impact on these fragile ecosystems and ensure their continued health and vitality. Moreover, as we share our images and stories, we have the opportunity to educate others about the importance of conservation and inspire them to adopt responsible practices when interacting with the underwater world.

How to Practice Leave No Trace as an Underwater Portrait Photographer

Practicing Leave No Trace as an underwater photographer involves a combination of careful planning, mindful actions, and a commitment to minimizing our impact. Here are some specific steps we can take to adhere to the LNT guiding principles:

• Plan ahead and prepare: Research the location you'll be photographing, understand any specific regulations or guidelines, and prepare your equipment accordingly. Ensure your gear is in good working order to avoid malfunctions that could damage the environment. Make sure you bring the right gear for the location. For example, don't bring freediving long fins to shallow sandy locations.
• Travel and photograph on durable surfaces: Avoid touching or disturbing coral reefs, grass beds, or other delicate aquatic life. Maintain neutral buoyancy and minimize contact with the bottom or rocks. Choose locations and times when you're less likely to disturb sensitive aquatic life and when less people will be around which may cause you to have to move to less disturbed areas that generally don't have human impacts (i.e. the outskirts of a spring basin that you normally wouldn't be near).
• Dispose of waste properly: Pack out all trash, including any packaging or debris from your equipment and remove any items you find in or around the water. Be mindful of sunscreen and other products you use, ensuring they are reef-safe and biodegradable. Never take dresses with glitter, sequins, or other accents which can become detached.
• Leave what you find: Resist the temptation to collect souvenirs, such as shells or coral fragments. Leave the underwater environment as you found it, and avoid moving anything that might be in your shot. You can always shift your position, or remove it with the use of PhotoShop or AI tools during post processing. Remember, part of the beauty of the natural environment is the things that are there.
• Minimize light impacts: Be mindful of the use of artificial lights, especially at night. Avoid shining lights directly into the eyes of animals and consider using diffusers to soften the light. Also, don't use your lights to shine into cracks and crevasses where light sensitive organisms may be hiding during the day.
• Respect wildlife: Observe wildlife and aquatic life from a respectful distance and avoid disturbing their natural behavior. Never feed or attempt to touch animals especially ones protected by law such as manatees and alligators. Be patient and allow them to approach you on their own terms if you want to be able to incorporate them into your photos.
• Be considerate of other swimmers, divers, and photographers: Avoid blocking access to popular sites or interfering with the enjoyment and work of other visitors. If you want a place to yourself, contact the property owner or manager well ahead of the shoot date and discuss the options to pay for private access or obtain the necessary permits. Be mindful of noise levels and avoid actions that could disrupt the experience of others.

Emphasizing Leave No Trace to Clients, Models, and Others Around You

As underwater portrait photographers, you are an ambassador for our entire industry. You have a unique platform to promote Leave No Trace principles and educate others about responsible interaction with the environment. We can emphasize these principles to our clients, models, and anyone we encounter during our work. Here are some ways we can do this:

• Educate clients and models: Before a photoshoot, take the time to explain the principles of Leave No Trace and why they are important. Emphasize the importance of respecting aquatic life and minimizing our impact on the environment.
• Model responsible behavior: Lead by example by adhering to Leave No Trace principles in your own actions. Show your clients and models how to interact with the underwater environment respectfully.
• Incorporate Leave No Trace into your branding: Highlight your commitment to environmental responsibility in your marketing materials and on your website. This can attract clients who share your values and help raise awareness about LNT principles. Visit LNT.org for more information and training on LNT principles, and also check back with UWCA as we will soon have courses on environmental conservation and LNT.
• Share your knowledge: Use your social media platforms and other communication channels to educate others about Leave No Trace and responsible underwater photography practices. Share tips and best practices for minimizing impact and respecting aquatic life.
• Collaborate with conservation organizations: Partner with local or national conservation organizations to promote Leave No Trace and support their efforts to protect the environment. This can involve volunteering your time, donating a portion of your profits, or using your photography to raise awareness about conservation issues. There are many excellent non-profit organizations to get involved with and image competitions that promote conservation you can submit to.
• Engage in citizen science: Participate in citizen science projects that monitor the health of ecosystems. This can provide valuable data for researchers and help inform conservation efforts. Everytime you go out, you can make observations and report back.
• Be a voice for the underwater environment: Use your photography to tell stories about the beauty and fragility of the underwater world. Share your images and experiences to inspire others to care about and protect these precious ecosystems.

By embracing the principles of Leave No Trace and actively promoting them to others, underwater portrait photographers can play a crucial role in preserving the beauty and health of the aquatic environment. Our responsibility extends beyond capturing stunning images; it includes being mindful stewards of the underwater world and inspiring others to join us in protecting it for future generations. Remember, leave nothing but bubbles, take nothing but photos.