All your work is produced ethically. What does that mean?

It means, simply put, that all wildlife encounters are wild. I never use bait or cause stress to wildlife. My approach is patient and respectful, allowing me to capture marine life in their natural state. I believe in conserving the beauty I photograph, not disrupting it.

What inspired you to specialize in marine photography?

I first picked up a camera during my academic pursuits. Escaping on long-term travels and into the embrace of nature was my solace, a retreat from the clutter of thoughts. With every country I visited, I found myself more drawn to immortalize these breathtaking landscapes that inspired me so much. However, each time someone was asking me about my favorites subject in photography, my answers varied like the spectrum of nature itself. From terrestrial wildlife, large and small, to panoramic views from above, I loved to capture it all, everything from sun-kissed palm trees to the beauty of arctic mountain peaks (which is what inspired my social media handle @palms2peaks).

With the passage of time, my focus shifted more and more towards water. It´s always been what inspired me the most. The interplay of colors and light will never cease to amaze me. Gradually, water became the heart of my photographic narrative. But it wasn’t until I embraced life as an oceanic nomad, with no fixed home base beyond the ocean itself, that I finally took my camera under water as well.

Ever since, my photographic journey is driven by the endless wonders of the ocean, capturing its diverse beauty from palms to peaks. Most people think that my life is like being on holiday but actually, I have never worked harder. It’s all worth it though. I get to learn something new almost every day from a unique marine creature I’d never seen before or a conversation with some of the most fascinating marine biologists, dive technicians or even just my dive buddies. There is never a dull moment. And ultimately, knowing that my images have the power to make an impact and inspire a wave of change is what drives me every day.

Your work is considered art, not just photography. Why?

I believe that when photography transcends the technical act of capturing images and starts embodying depth and emotion, it gradually becomes art. In each of my pieces,I aim to make the viewer not only see what I saw, but feel what I felt.

It is this distinction that sets my work apart from other amazing marine photographers and artists: the blend of my unique sense of composition and storytelling, along with my approach to editing and color grading. It is how I tell the my vision of the ocean.

In your journey, what comes first for you: being an explorer, photographer, artist or conservation advocate?

It’s hard to say where one ends and the other begins because it’s all so intertwined in what I do. My unconditional love for the ocean is the foundation to everything. It’s the reason my husband and I created this ocean bound life together. Constantly exploring new places not only lets me to capture the incredible diversity of the ocean but also shows me firsthand why we need to step up our conservation efforts. Turning all these experiences and feelings into art just comes as a natural desire to share my feelings with others and make an impact. It’s a continuous cycle - exploring leads to photography and art, which then inspire advocacy and back to exploration.

How does a perfect day look like for you when you are NOT diving?

That depends on on my current location and what phase I am in. Generally, I love to fully immerse myself into experiences that connect me with the ocean and nature: surfing, capturing wildlife on land, enjoying beach sunsets, discovering new places. Obviously not all in one day - but I make sure I get to engage in at least one. In-between, I love to reflect on the insights nature granted me by editing, writing and creating. The perfect ending to a perfect day however looks pretty much the same, no matter where I am: playing some feel-good music, enjoying homemade pizza with my husband and some good friends, while our dog gets excited about pizza night and the extra cuddles that come with it.