Underwater Photography Safety Gear and Tips for a Successful Shoot
Safety standards, gear and hard-earned lessons from more than a decade of underwater portrait work
Originally published July 29, 2020. Updated September 12, 2026.
Photographers love to shop for new gear, but when that gear is for safety during an underwater photography session, shopping becomes essential. I wrote this article to talk about the safety standards — or lack thereof — in the underwater photography community. I love that other water photographers and I are inspiring people, but I also want everyone to think before they jump in. We have all seen that heart-stopping video of the bride jumping off a boat, her gown ballooning over her head as she barely makes it out.
Say it with me: no picture is ever worth a life. So what are my qualifications to harp on this? I spent over ten years as a lifeguard and swim instructor, I have been a certified master scuba diver and diving for more than eighteen years, and I am an RN-BSN (Registered Nurse with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing). Underwater photography safety is something my team and I work to improve constantly — keeping our skills fresh, buying new safety gear, and finding ways to make every session as safe as possible while still being thoroughly enjoyable.
Here are the safety gear items and tips I would consider before getting in the water with a client.
1. Ask about water comfort and swimming proficiency beforehand
Ask, but know that people will sometimes tell you what you want to hear. It is not malicious; they are excited and invested in doing the session. Make it clear that you have the right — as do they — to call off the shoot for any reason, at any time, without penalty.
2. Plan their wardrobe in advance
No ballgowns, no heavy dresses, nothing that tangles or snags easily. I like to start clients in a swimsuit and add pieces as I see fit, based on their ability in the water.
3. Do a safety briefing before getting in the water
Share the pertinent information about the body of water you are entering: water temperature, current direction, rock features and so on. Walk through the plan for the shoot, teach a distress signal (but do not be surprised if they forget to use it), the right way to fall, how you will support them, and what to do if you encounter dangerous wildlife.
4. Ensure you have cell reception, a first aid kit and a flotation device
Do NOT attempt to rescue someone unless you are trained to do so. Throw them a flotation device instead of becoming a second victim. Know where the closest AED is. Always include gloves and a CPR mask in your kit.
5. Watch closely as they enter the water
Getting in is the dangerous part, so make sure they are supported. For pregnant clients I like to have someone on either side, supporting her under the armpits. Gauge comfort and work them in slowly to confirm they are proficient swimmers. This matters even more outside of a pool.
6. Take mandatory breaks
Prepare clients for this in the safety briefing: “Just a heads up, every X minutes we will take a breather.” It tells them that a break is studio policy, not a failing on their part.
7. Know how to identify a swimmer in distress
Training matters more than any piece of gear. Look for courses and certifications near you, and never attempt a rescue from the front — a panicking swimmer can latch on and turn you into a second victim.
8. Never have more clients in the water than you have safety swimmers
It is far easier — and far safer — to create composites in Photoshop than to wrangle a family of five in the water. We allow a maximum of two clients in the water at a time.
9. A safety swimmer should have lifeguarding experience and be CPR/First Aid certified
Pay for your team to stay current on their certifications and host monthly or bi-monthly safety drill days. Run worst-case scenarios so you know your team can act cohesively.
10. While clients are in vulnerable positions, never take your eyes off them
No changing camera settings, no reviewing images — nothing until their feet are firmly planted and their safety is ensured.
11. The photographer or safety swimmer is first in and last out
This studio policy ensures no client is ever left unattended in the water. We also place clients between ourselves and the land, dock or exit so they are always in the safer position and easier to reach if a rescue becomes necessary.
12. Conduct a post-shoot safety debrief with your team
What went well, what could have gone better, what challenges did you face? Analyzing each shoot builds critical thinking about hazards and keeps your team diligent. My safety swimmer and I do ours over macarons and cocoa while everything is still fresh.
Underwater photography is amazing, fun and exhilarating. There is nothing else like it, and I love it when photographers want to learn more. But it only takes a split second for an accident to happen. If you cannot — or will not — budget for safety training and safety gear, then you cannot afford to take a client into the water.
TL;DR: No picture is worth a life.
Want to go deeper? Read The Three Pillars of Safety for Underwater Portrait Photography Shoots, take the Basics of Safety for Underwater Portrait Photography course, or browse our underwater photography gear guide for beginners.