Creating her unique photographic vision solely underwater Zena Holloway uses the semi weightless environment to create striking and otherworldly photographs. With a steep learning curve and expensive costs she creates fabrics and hair that flows with the motion of the water and not by the laws of gravity and models that float in the frame. Even though underwater the subjects and their clothing don’t appear soaked with water but dry and flowing. The photographs only reveal their underwater origins by the background and the light. When all visual clues of the water are removed the photographs seems as if they were taken in the vacuum of space only enhancing the otherworldliness of her photography.

The quality of light that Zena Holloway is able to create underwater is completely different from anything possible on dry land. It is soft but direct with a glow to it. The individual water molecules act as tiny reflectors softening the fall off of the light and filling shadows. The color palette she uses is a rich antique palette with lightly muted colors. Skin tones are also different. Coupled with a lack of gravity and impeccable technique, Holloway creates remarkable photographs with a heightened ethereal mood.

Holloway’s love for the world below the surface didn’t start with photography but with her first dive under it. This caused her to rethink her life, abandoned architecture school plans and started working at a diving school. Her plan to be a photographer was born out of work making souvenir video’s for tourists in the Cayman Islands. Her strong love for the water is what allows her to be the only photographer that works exclusively underwater and among a short list of people with the knowledge and experience to do advertising and editorial shoots there.

View more of Zena Holloway’s work on her website