NBC Bay Area

NBC Bay Area

Erena Shimoda always had a passion for being underwater. She began shooting underwater photographs in 2005 after receiving her Divemaster certificate in Venezuela and has taken underwater photos all over the world including Thailand, Bonaire, Corsica, Cozumel, Cancun and Hawaii.

Today, she specializes in underwater portrait photography and uses her unique skill for a very special cause.

Shimoda provides free underwater portrait sessions for cancer patients, survivors and anyone who has endured a traumatic life experience. It is called “Underwater Healer About Face.”

Maya Sycip, 23, participated in Shimoda’s “Underwater Healer About Face” project. 2016 will mark three years since Sycip has officially been in remission from brain cancer. She wanted to get her pictures taken because she has never taken photos underwater before and still had some healing to do of her own.

“Being underwater, you’re so at peace,” said Sycip during an interview on NBC Bay Area’s Asian Pacific America with Robert Handa. “Being underwater and doing this photoshoot … I got to be in that state of nirvana.”

Shimoda was inspired to start her program after volunteering with the American Cancer Society’s “Look Good Feel Better” program for cancer patients and survivors to rediscover their beauty.

“When I work with my clients, they also gain their confidence by doing something new, which is underwater portrait photography,” said Shimoda. “I thought I could combine these two to help cancer survivors.”