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Yesterday I had the opportunity to photograph a single coral polyp, only a few weeks old at a microscopic level under a UV light. What an incredible thing to capture and it opened up my mind to this whole new world our eyes never get to experience. From microscopic scales to colour spectrums. Looking forward to doing more of this going into 2026 and thank you @jamiecraggs for the opportunity! Your coral labs is a creative minds playground!

Image one: A needle showing scale of how small this single coral polyp is. Under a UV light.
Image two: What I could see, showing just how small this tiny subject was. Shot through a yellow screen to protect our eyes from the UV light.

📍Horniman Museum and Gardens

#microscopic #coral #macrophotography

Yesterday I had the opportunity to photograph a single coral polyp, only a few weeks old at a microscopic level under a UV light. What an incredible thing to capture and it opened up my mind to this whole new world our eyes never get to experience. From microscopic scales to colour spectrums. Looking forward to doing more of this going into 2026 and thank you @jamiecraggs for the opportunity! Your coral labs is a creative minds playground!

Image one: A needle showing scale of how small this single coral polyp is. Under a UV light.
Image two: What I could see, showing just how small this tiny subject was. Shot through a yellow screen to protect our eyes from the UV light.

📍Horniman Museum and Gardens

#microscopic #coral #macrophotography

Let the fight begin!

In the winter months of South Australia, these waters host one of the world’s most unique and spectacular wildlife events. From May to August each year, more than 250,000 Giant Cuttlefish migrate to the cold and rocky waters here to mate and then die. I lay amongst the seaweed whilst on scuba, surrounded by hundreds of Giant Cuttlefish battling it out for the females hiding below. Here, two males size each other up, preparing to battle for the chance to pass on their genes. The start of elaborate colour and shape-shifting show paired with intimidating skin displays began in front of my very eyes. Let the Fight begin!

In the 90’s these incredible animals were nearly wiped out due to overfishing. In the space of 3 weeks, 38 boats caught 270 tonnes of Giant Cuttlefish. In the years following, their population dwindled to next to nothing. But due to conservation pressures a permanent ban on fishing for Giant Cuttlefish has been put in place in this area, allowing them to bounce back to healthy numbers. And now, instead of fishing them, we dive with them to enjoy their beauty and wonder.

These cuttlefish illustrate the profound and lasting impact that conservation efforts, combined with protected areas, can have. This photo showcases nature’s remarkable resilience; when left undisturbed, it can bounce back significantly. It demonstrates that humans and nature can coexist harmoniously, paving the way for a brighter future.

#cuttlefish #whyalla #myocean

Let the fight begin!

In the winter months of South Australia, these waters host one of the world’s most unique and spectacular wildlife events. From May to August each year, more than 250,000 Giant Cuttlefish migrate to the cold and rocky waters here to mate and then die. I lay amongst the seaweed whilst on scuba, surrounded by hundreds of Giant Cuttlefish battling it out for the females hiding below. Here, two males size each other up, preparing to battle for the chance to pass on their genes. The start of elaborate colour and shape-shifting show paired with intimidating skin displays began in front of my very eyes. Let the Fight begin!

In the 90’s these incredible animals were nearly wiped out due to overfishing. In the space of 3 weeks, 38 boats caught 270 tonnes of Giant Cuttlefish. In the years following, their population dwindled to next to nothing. But due to conservation pressures a permanent ban on fishing for Giant Cuttlefish has been put in place in this area, allowing them to bounce back to healthy numbers. And now, instead of fishing them, we dive with them to enjoy their beauty and wonder.

These cuttlefish illustrate the profound and lasting impact that conservation efforts, combined with protected areas, can have. This photo showcases nature’s remarkable resilience; when left undisturbed, it can bounce back significantly. It demonstrates that humans and nature can coexist harmoniously, paving the way for a brighter future.

#cuttlefish #whyalla #myocean

Traded into Extinction

On the brink of extinction, a critically endangered Smoothnose Wedgefish (Rhynchobatus laevis) is hauled from 40 metres, tangled in a gill net. A species so rarely seen that most people never know it exists.

In northern Sumatra lies a crucial nursery for critically endangered sharks and rays, from scalloped hammerheads to wedgefish. Yet these pupping grounds are threatened by bycatch, where animals are unintentionally caught in fishing gear while targeting other species. Wedgefish are especially vulnerable: their fins are among the most valuable in the international shark fin trade, fetching high prices in China and Hong Kong. In this area, juveniles are mainly taken; their small fins are virtually worthless, and their meat often ends up in roadside warung curries. A life lost for little reward.

As benthic predators, wedgefish play a vital role in keeping marine ecosystems in balance, but the same communities that depend on them for food and income are now witnessing their rapid decline. Protection has become urgent.

These rays have a rare advantage: unlike many sharks and rays that must swim to breathe, wedgefish can pump water over their gills while resting on the seafloor. This helps them survive longer in fishing nets. Gillnets are set 30–40 metres deep on sandy seabeds, stretching 300 metres and left for up to 12 hours at a time, yet fishers report that many wedgefish are still alive when hauled in.

Moments after this photograph was taken, the fishers tagged and released this individual as part of the NGO, @kebersamaan_untuk_lautan (KUL) programme, which compensates fishers to safely release critically endangered sharks and rays (last photo). Research by Dr Hollie Booth (@dr_hollie_booth) from Oxford University shows that payments of around $1 per hammerhead and $5–7 per wedgefish provide the most effective incentive, offering a lifeline to a species with fins worth hundreds of dollars on the black market.

This is a truly pioneering project, one that works with fishers to safeguard critically endangered sharks and rays while helping create a more secure and sustainable future for the communities that depend on these waters.

Traded into Extinction

On the brink of extinction, a critically endangered Smoothnose Wedgefish (Rhynchobatus laevis) is hauled from 40 metres, tangled in a gill net. A species so rarely seen that most people never know it exists.

In northern Sumatra lies a crucial nursery for critically endangered sharks and rays, from scalloped hammerheads to wedgefish. Yet these pupping grounds are threatened by bycatch, where animals are unintentionally caught in fishing gear while targeting other species. Wedgefish are especially vulnerable: their fins are among the most valuable in the international shark fin trade, fetching high prices in China and Hong Kong. In this area, juveniles are mainly taken; their small fins are virtually worthless, and their meat often ends up in roadside warung curries. A life lost for little reward.

As benthic predators, wedgefish play a vital role in keeping marine ecosystems in balance, but the same communities that depend on them for food and income are now witnessing their rapid decline. Protection has become urgent.

These rays have a rare advantage: unlike many sharks and rays that must swim to breathe, wedgefish can pump water over their gills while resting on the seafloor. This helps them survive longer in fishing nets. Gillnets are set 30–40 metres deep on sandy seabeds, stretching 300 metres and left for up to 12 hours at a time, yet fishers report that many wedgefish are still alive when hauled in.

Moments after this photograph was taken, the fishers tagged and released this individual as part of the NGO, @kebersamaan_untuk_lautan (KUL) programme, which compensates fishers to safely release critically endangered sharks and rays (last photo). Research by Dr Hollie Booth (@dr_hollie_booth) from Oxford University shows that payments of around $1 per hammerhead and $5–7 per wedgefish provide the most effective incentive, offering a lifeline to a species with fins worth hundreds of dollars on the black market.

This is a truly pioneering project, one that works with fishers to safeguard critically endangered sharks and rays while helping create a more secure and sustainable future for the communities that depend on these waters.

With over 90% of the UK’s seagrass meadows lost, the restoration of this vital blue carbon habitat has never been more important. This year, I’ve had the privilege of documenting one of the world’s largest rewilding efforts taking place along the UK coastline. As I continue to follow the project, I look forward to seeing this once-scarce ecosystem begin to flourish again in the years ahead. These photographs celebrate some of the remaining, thriving seagrass meadows along England’s south coast.

📷 // @francescapagephoto // taken on the Isle Of Wight in the summer months

📷 An on going project under the guidance and mentorship of @vital.impacts & @brianskerry

👉🏻 Capturing the amazing work of @solentseascapeproject @projectseagrass @hantsiwwildlife @bluemarinefoundation

#seagrassrestoration #seagrass

With over 90% of the UK’s seagrass meadows lost, the restoration of this vital blue carbon habitat has never been more important. This year, I’ve had the privilege of documenting one of the world’s largest rewilding efforts taking place along the UK coastline. As I continue to follow the project, I look forward to seeing this once-scarce ecosystem begin to flourish again in the years ahead. These photographs celebrate some of the remaining, thriving seagrass meadows along England’s south coast.

📷 // @francescapagephoto // taken on the Isle Of Wight in the summer months

📷 An on going project under the guidance and mentorship of @vital.impacts & @brianskerry

👉🏻 Capturing the amazing work of @solentseascapeproject @projectseagrass @hantsiwwildlife @bluemarinefoundation

#seagrassrestoration #seagrass

Patterns of Palau 💙

Palau is a place that must be experienced from the skies!

- Some quick hotel edits, more to come soon!

📷 On assignment with @scubadivingmag x @paditv
⚓️ On board @blackpearlpalau

#palau #drone #micronesia

Patterns of Palau 💙

Palau is a place that must be experienced from the skies!

- Some quick hotel edits, more to come soon!

📷 On assignment with @scubadivingmag x @paditv
⚓️ On board @blackpearlpalau

#palau #drone #micronesia

Palau is an island born of fire. Sitting on the edge of the Philippine tectonic plate, the birth of Palau begun when the massive Pacific Plate slipped beneath the smaller Philippine plate. The result was a massive volcanic eruption which formed a 100 mile long volcanic ridge. Today we dive amongst this ancient sunken volcano, Palau’s geologic past is literally written on the rocks.

- Some quick hotel edits, more to come soon!

📷 On assignment with @scubadivingmag x @paditv
⚓️ On board @blackpearlpalau

#palau #drone #micronesia

Palau is an island born of fire. Sitting on the edge of the Philippine tectonic plate, the birth of Palau begun when the massive Pacific Plate slipped beneath the smaller Philippine plate. The result was a massive volcanic eruption which formed a 100 mile long volcanic ridge. Today we dive amongst this ancient sunken volcano, Palau’s geologic past is literally written on the rocks.

- Some quick hotel edits, more to come soon!

📷 On assignment with @scubadivingmag x @paditv
⚓️ On board @blackpearlpalau

#palau #drone #micronesia

Sharks and rays need our help now more than ever. Over 100 million are lost from our oceans every year due to illegal fishing, pushing many species dangerously close to extinction. We can’t just stand by and let that happen.

These incredible animals are majestic, intelligent, awe-inspiring and very misunderstood. Losing them would be an unimaginable tragedy of our modern world.

That’s why @mantatrust and @padiaware are calling for all manta and devil rays, oceanic whitetip sharks, whale sharks, and other endangered shark species to be up-listed to CITES Appendix I at CoP20 this November. This critical move would ban all international commercial trade in these species.

It’s a powerful step toward ending exploitation and giving these magnificent animals a real chance to recover.

Here are a few of my favorite moments spent with these incredible creatures:
• Image 01: A mesmerizing manta mating chain unfolding along the Ningaloo Reef.
• Image 02: A common stingray gliding gracefully through lush seagrass meadows in search of its next meal in Bimini, Bahamas.
• Image 03: A young, curious female blue shark inspecting her reflection in my dome while exploring the Celtic Deep, Wales, UK.

Sharks and rays need our help now more than ever. Over 100 million are lost from our oceans every year due to illegal fishing, pushing many species dangerously close to extinction. We can’t just stand by and let that happen.

These incredible animals are majestic, intelligent, awe-inspiring and very misunderstood. Losing them would be an unimaginable tragedy of our modern world.

That’s why @mantatrust and @padiaware are calling for all manta and devil rays, oceanic whitetip sharks, whale sharks, and other endangered shark species to be up-listed to CITES Appendix I at CoP20 this November. This critical move would ban all international commercial trade in these species.

It’s a powerful step toward ending exploitation and giving these magnificent animals a real chance to recover.

Here are a few of my favorite moments spent with these incredible creatures:
• Image 01: A mesmerizing manta mating chain unfolding along the Ningaloo Reef.
• Image 02: A common stingray gliding gracefully through lush seagrass meadows in search of its next meal in Bimini, Bahamas.
• Image 03: A young, curious female blue shark inspecting her reflection in my dome while exploring the Celtic Deep, Wales, UK.

Some of the faces of the Panglima Loat which translates to Commanders of the Sea. These men are combining ancestral knowledge with conversation and science to better protect their patch of ocean along the southwest coastline of Aceh, Sumatra.

Excited to share more about this project soon!

💙 NGO @kebersamaan_untuk_lautan

#portrait #conservation

Some of the faces of the Panglima Loat which translates to Commanders of the Sea. These men are combining ancestral knowledge with conversation and science to better protect their patch of ocean along the southwest coastline of Aceh, Sumatra.

Excited to share more about this project soon!

💙 NGO @kebersamaan_untuk_lautan

#portrait #conservation

Empowered women weaving hope.

The incredible fishers’ wives of @kebersamaan_untuk_lautan are turning ocean conservation into art, crafting shark-inspired tapestries that tell stories of strength, tradition, and hope. They are exploring the creation of new livelihoods while protecting the sea that sustains them.

I’m currently sifting through thousands of photos and videos from last months assignment, and I can’t wait to share more from this personal project soon!

Empowered women weaving hope.

The incredible fishers’ wives of @kebersamaan_untuk_lautan are turning ocean conservation into art, crafting shark-inspired tapestries that tell stories of strength, tradition, and hope. They are exploring the creation of new livelihoods while protecting the sea that sustains them.

I’m currently sifting through thousands of photos and videos from last months assignment, and I can’t wait to share more from this personal project soon!

The kelp forests that fringe the British coastline are teeming with abundance and life. Off the coast of Devon lies Lundy Island, the UK’s very first marine protected area, where grey seals, affectionately nicknamed “sea puppies” thrive among swaying kelp. These waters offer everything a seal could want: plentiful food, rocky outcrops for basking in the sun, and endless kelp to hide and play in. With such abundance, the seals live lives of ease, often slipping into pure playfulness.

Lundy has also become a beloved dive destination, where encounters with grey seals can be startlingly close and personal. Trust me, these creatures have absolutely no concept of personal space. What captivates me most, beyond their cuteness and mischievous charm, is the way these wild animals interact with humans as if we are play toys. They chew on fins, boop camera domes, and occasionally give a diver’s hooded head an inquisitive scratch.

On our dives last week, my partner @liamswebb (pictured in the last few photo) and I spent over 40 magical minutes on each dive playing with these charismatic creatures, an experience that I will never get bored of!

Can’t wait to get back out here next summer, who’s with me?!

The kelp forests that fringe the British coastline are teeming with abundance and life. Off the coast of Devon lies Lundy Island, the UK’s very first marine protected area, where grey seals, affectionately nicknamed “sea puppies” thrive among swaying kelp. These waters offer everything a seal could want: plentiful food, rocky outcrops for basking in the sun, and endless kelp to hide and play in. With such abundance, the seals live lives of ease, often slipping into pure playfulness.

Lundy has also become a beloved dive destination, where encounters with grey seals can be startlingly close and personal. Trust me, these creatures have absolutely no concept of personal space. What captivates me most, beyond their cuteness and mischievous charm, is the way these wild animals interact with humans as if we are play toys. They chew on fins, boop camera domes, and occasionally give a diver’s hooded head an inquisitive scratch.

On our dives last week, my partner @liamswebb (pictured in the last few photo) and I spent over 40 magical minutes on each dive playing with these charismatic creatures, an experience that I will never get bored of!

Can’t wait to get back out here next summer, who’s with me?!

With over 90% of the UK’s seagrass meadows lost, the restoration of this vital blue carbon habitat has never been more important. This year, I’ve had the privilege of documenting one of the world’s largest rewilding efforts taking place along the UK coastline. As I continue to follow the project, I look forward to seeing this once-scarce ecosystem begin to flourish again in the years ahead. These photographs celebrate some of the remaining, thriving seagrass meadows along England’s south coast.

📷 // @francescapagephoto // taken on the Isle Of Wight in the summer months

📷 An on going project under the guidance and mentorship of @vital.impacts & @brianskerry

👉🏻 Capturing the amazing work of @solentseascapeproject @projectseagrass @hantsiwwildlife @bluemarinefoundation

#seagrassrestoration #seagrass

With over 90% of the UK’s seagrass meadows lost, the restoration of this vital blue carbon habitat has never been more important. This year, I’ve had the privilege of documenting one of the world’s largest rewilding efforts taking place along the UK coastline. As I continue to follow the project, I look forward to seeing this once-scarce ecosystem begin to flourish again in the years ahead. These photographs celebrate some of the remaining, thriving seagrass meadows along England’s south coast.

📷 // @francescapagephoto // taken on the Isle Of Wight in the summer months

📷 An on going project under the guidance and mentorship of @vital.impacts & @brianskerry

👉🏻 Capturing the amazing work of @solentseascapeproject @projectseagrass @hantsiwwildlife @bluemarinefoundation

#seagrassrestoration #seagrass

I’ve just returned from four weeks in the field, where I had the privilege of documenting powerful conservation stories. Now I’m diving into over 6,000 photos, and I can’t wait to start sharing the adventures and important stories I was able to capture.

I also have some exciting announcements coming in the next few weeks - so stay tuned!

📸 by @francescapagephoto // Taken in Northern Sumatra at a local fish market, where many endangered shark and ray species are caught as accidental bycatch.

I’ve just returned from four weeks in the field, where I had the privilege of documenting powerful conservation stories. Now I’m diving into over 6,000 photos, and I can’t wait to start sharing the adventures and important stories I was able to capture.

I also have some exciting announcements coming in the next few weeks - so stay tuned!

��📸 by @francescapagephoto // Taken in Northern Sumatra at a local fish market, where many endangered shark and ray species are caught as accidental bycatch.

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