Underwater Transformation About Face Underwater Transformation About Face
私を海に連れてって

Take Me To The Ocean 海に連れてって Trailer

Underwater Healer About Face, Video
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Take Me To The Ocean 海に連れてって Full version coming in 2024! “I heard about you and I want to make a short documentary.” … what!? This amazing journey started all from here. My heart was pounding and I went swimming everyday to calm myself down. This happened so fast but but I still remember everything was slow underwater. When I realized I was in a safe place with an awesome crew, especially with my new ocean sister Jacqueline, I could be myself. Thank you Ilanna for creating beautiful art, connecting all of us, Leo and everyone for giving me a space to share my story. Take Me To The Ocean 海に連れてって trailer out now! ショートドキュメンタリーを作りたいというリクエストが来た時はとても緊張と興奮で毎日のように水泳に行き、気を惑わせてました。あっという間に撮影でしたが、特に水の中での撮影は全ての時間が止まったようなスローモーションだったのを今でも覚えています。30秒のトレーラーが出ました!フルバージョンは来年のフィルムフェスティバルに出る(かも?)みたいです。トレーラーご覧ください! Director: Ilanna Barkusky Starring: Erena Shimoda Director of Photography: Leo Maco, Underwater Cinematographer: Jacqueline Lehr, Editor: Nico Frank Trailer Editor: Whitney Weir 1 st AC: Kelsey Rivera Production Sound Mixer: Chris Camacho Grip: Evan Molyneaux Sound Design & Mix: Calvin Pia Colorist: Elodie Ichter Also featuring Sara Stinson Rescue Diver: Will Mariano Boat Captain: Phil Sammet Poster: Tori #takemetotheocean #海に連れてって #underwatertransformation #underwaterphotography #underwatercinematography #underwatertherapy...
Dr. Riva Z. Robinson

Dr. Riva Z. Robinson – Functional Medicine Doctor

uw portrait
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Dr. Riva Z. Robinson, a functional medicine doctor, an author and a bikini champion! Dr. Riva Z. Robinson and I heard about each other through Dr. Lance, a chiropractor based in San Francisco. Dr. Lance once interviewed me for his YouTube Channel and he mentioned about Dr. Riva that I need to meet her! We kept missing each other last year but finally, we got to meet during this pandemic AND we got to work together underwater! I've worked with bodybuilders in the past so I knew what to expect. SHE CAN SINK, no problem! She looked so calm and serene underwater. I'm so glad to hear that she enjoyed this beautiful escape during this difficult time and her busy schedule. I also got to interview her and I want to share her story with you guys. • How did you feel before the photo shoot?  Before the shoot, I was a tiny bit nervous, but mostly excited! I had seen some of your work and fallen in love with it! I couldn't wait to experience it for myself. I love being underwater - I scuba dive and I love being in or near the ocean. • How was the experience with underwater portrait session?  At first it was a lot to think about - posing myself/ my dress/the fabric strategically, smiling and not making fish faces, and not getting water up my nose, but I got the hang of it pretty quickly. I think it might have been easier in a deeper pool to get a little bit...

Talks@Google

about, Underwater Healer About Face
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Talks@Google It was an incredible experience to be at Google speaking for Talks@Google and share my passion and stories to Googlers! Super nervous face... Youtube video is up online and on Google website! I hope you are curious about the underwater world! Please contact me to find out more and sign up for your portrait session. A portion of the session feel will go towards underwater transformative photography project. Underwater portrait photography has psychological benefits for cancer survivors, domestic violence survivors, people with PTSD, and physical disabilities. Everybody deserves to experience a life-changing underwater transformation and feel...

San Francisco Underwater Rugby Team

uw portrait
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San Francisco Underwater Rugby Team Underwater Rugby was started in 1961, with a member of the German Underwater Club (DUC) in Cologne, Ludwig von Bersuda, came up with the idea of an underwater ball game. I've never seen this wild 3D sport with salt water filled ball, tossing and grabbing underwater! I met one of the female captains, Jacqui on the day of the photo shoot and she explained to me briefly what it's all about. Two teams each with six players (plus six substitutes), try to score a goal by sending the ball into the opponents’ goal. Players are allowed to touch (pull, push = wrestling!) the person with a ball but as soon as the person leases it, everybody has to let the person go. It happens so fast underwater. It's incredible to see their movements, team works and stamina!! Erena: How did you get involved in this sport? Jacqui: I started back in 2008, in Sydney, Australia. A colleague asked if I wanted to go to a Beginner's Night for some crazy sport he'd heard of after work. I almost said no! But I didn't have other plans that Wednesday so I went along. Twenty people showed up, and I don't think they were quite prepared for it, so it was all a bit chaotic. As soon as we started playing and passing the ball around underwater, I was totally hooked. I've played every since. E: How do you feel physically and emotionally when you are underwater compare to being on land? J: Being underwater can...

Huntington Beach Trip for PADI, Dive Warriors, Jared and Xoe

Travel, Uncategorized, Underwater Healer About Face
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It seems like I travel back to the same place twice this year. I was in Grand Cayman twice and Huntington Beach next!! I love traveling to see same people to catch up and build a tighter relationship. Back in September, I was in Huntington Beach to meet a veteran, Jared from Dive Warriors and an accident survivor Xoe to do underwater transformative photo shoot. Also I was happy that PADI asked to contribute a dive trip report with veterans for their blog page. As soon as I arrived to Huntington Beach, I wanted to jump in the ocean. The weather was gorgeous and made me feel at home. So beautiful. I drove to L.A. to see my busy friend, Carlos! It's been awhile. He has been making amazing movies and his work always blows me away. So inspiring. You need a break! Stop working!!! I went back to my AirBnB in Huntington Beach and I saw my host, Don cleaning the pool! This is my second time coming back to his place!! He is super supportive for my campaign. He took care of his pool back in April for 3 breast cancer survivors. I really appreciate how generous and humble he is. I've never met any host like him!! He is always smiling too! (and his hair is awesome) His beautiful kitty and a pup :) Guarding the pool. I went to visit my boyfriend's aunt and uncle who live near by. They fed me Impossible burger!! Thank you Laurie and Ben!! The next day,...

A tattoo magazine, Inked!!

art show, Underwater Healer About Face
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"Meet the woman who has pioneered a transformative therapy practice and empowers people with underwater portraits as they struggle through their physical and mental turmoil." – Inked I'm happy to announce that my work was published on Inked, a tattoo magazine November issue!! It was an emotional reminder to share my story. I also talked a little bit about my inks in the article :) It means a lot if you guys read it. Please go grab your copy...

NiNi – Cerebral Palsy

about, Uncategorized, Underwater Healer About Face, uw portrait
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I met NiNi, one of the cerebral palsy clients from Pomeroy Recreation and Rehabilitation Center. Nini is 38 years old and was born in Rangoon, Burma. She has Cerebral Palsy. It caused during her birth. The doctor couldn't get to the hospital in time, NiNi was suffocating and her body was blue when she came out. In Burma, the doctor didn't take good responsibility back then, no operation, no oxygen equipment and the doctor left the room as soon as he heard NiNi cried. The doctor didn't show up for 3 days after the birth and didn't know that Nini was unconscious for 5 days. When she was one year old, they learned that she had Cerebral Palsy because she couldn't stand, walk and talk. She could stand better when she was 7, but she falls a lot untill this age. The family moved to America in 1989. NiNi joined movement therapy class before she started her school in America. Also they learned that swimming is very good for her balance. Her waist is very weak so walking in the water is the best exercise for her balance. She has been swimming since 1991 and she loves it so much. She wanted to be involved in the Underwater Transformative Photography Project because she likes to challenge and learn new things. Nini waits until the pool clears. She couldn't wait to jump in the water! Mother and daughter :) "I was  so excited in the beginning and it was a little scary. Water felt...

Medical conference 2017

about, art show, Underwater Healer About Face
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It was one of my dreams to be part of medical/health field. My work was displayed at a medical conference!! They look gorgeous!! Thank you for your continuous support! ガン関連のメディカルコンフェレンスで 私の作品とバックストーリーがギャラリーに飾られました!3年連続での サポートありがとうございます?!! Please read a story of a breast cancer survivor, JoAnn. Please read a story of a stomach cancer survivor, Steve, a breast cancer survivor Kim and a testicular cancer survivor Scott Please read a story of a thyroid cancer survivor Pauline and a brain cancer survivor...

Academy of Art University

Underwater Healer About Face
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Back in 2001, I graduated from Academy of Art University as a New Media major. And few month ago I was interviewed by the editor from AAU and it was published! I was so happy to see the article! The article is online now! Please check it out! "Ever since she was a little girl, Erena Shimoda fantasized about being a mermaid and calling the ocean her home. As an adult, she felt like her childhood dream had almost come true the first time she went scuba diving during a trip to Honduras 14 years ago. "  - See more at:...