For Models
What should models wear on an underwater shoot?
The best wardrobe choices for underwater modeling are lightweight, flowing fabrics that interact beautifully with water movement and light. Materials like silk, chiffon, tulle, organza, and stretch mesh create stunning visual effects as they billow, swirl, and catch light beneath the surface. These fabrics add drama, dimension, and a sense of motion to your images that simply cannot be achieved with stiff or structured clothing.
You should absolutely avoid heavy materials like denim, leather, thick cotton, or anything that traps air bubbles, as these will cling awkwardly to your body or create distracting bulges underwater. Before any shoot, we strongly recommend testing your chosen wardrobe in a bathtub or pool to observe how the fabric falls when saturated, whether it becomes transparent in water, and if any dyes bleed. This simple test can save significant time on set and ensure you look your absolute best when the camera starts shooting.
Pay attention to weight: a garment that feels light on land may become surprisingly heavy when fully soaked, restricting your movement and tiring you out faster. Color choices interact strongly with water; jewel tones, metallics, and deep saturated hues photograph spectacularly, while pale neutrals often disappear into the background. If you are building a personal underwater modeling kit, invest in two or three versatile pieces in different lengths and silhouettes that you know perform well underwater. Many professional underwater models also carry safety pins, fishing line, and small lead weights to discreetly anchor or shape garments for specific shots.