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UW Fashion Photography with Zena Holloway in Bahama

UW Fashion Photography with Zena Holloway in Bahama and an extra stop in Florida

I’ve been scuba diving for over 12 years and I became a scuba dive master in Venezuela. I started taking photographs of fishes and marine life. And one day, I saw Zena Holloway’s work, Swansong, I instantly thought I want to be like her. Over 10 years later, I found out she was leading a workshop organized by Aquaspirit in Bimini, Bahama! If I miss this opportunity, I might not see her again. I finally decided to sign up to meet her in person! A dream came true!

I did a mini interview with Zena at the end of the workshop. She gave us a great advice!

SO… my adventure began from this huge canvas… #oceanhug

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Arrived in Bimini, Bahama! I cried looking at this crystal clear water!!!!

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It looks like a painting…

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SO GORGEOUSSSsssss!!

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The sky is not covered by any buildings. I felt like I was in the planetarium.

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If you have guts to walk up stairs on these. I’ll give you $5. Don’t worry, it’s super safe.

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Rainbow before the sunset…

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aaand this is the place I stayed.

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At welcome dinner to meet Zena, other photographers and models! People are coming from 11 different countries!!?? So awesome to connect through our passions.

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AND I ran into Tammy from San Diego!! When I photographed 3 cancer survivors in San Diego last year, I got to rent her pool! Thank you so much for supporting my my project! It was a great night! The food took forever though…

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Breakfast before the lecture… Yum!

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Getting ready for on the boat!

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Boat ride was ammmaaazing! #oceanhug

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I’m jealous of these gorgeous humans with long legs!!!

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These ladies 🙂

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We did a photo shoot inside of the Sapona wreck! It was an amazing experience!

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Just gorgeous boat ride!

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Blue blue blue~

I love blue~

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WHAT!!!!

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PLASTICS!!! Major problem everywhere in the world. It’s sad to see this mess by the beautiful water… Let’s reorganize the environment!

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I also saw this poor bird with plastic hanging from his foot… He can’t fly properly…:(

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We also did a night shoot in the pool!

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One of the organizer, Ran gave a lecture on Adobe Bridge.

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Zena gave a presentation on her image techniques.

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At the end, they gave us a certificate with Zena’s signature!

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Woohoo~ Thank you, Zena!! (Japanese style receiving a certificate paper)

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Also BIG BIG thank you to Danielle and Ran from Aquaspirit!

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Danielle also taught me a basic of Watsu, water massage!  (Photo by Ran Mor)

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I miss everybody!! (Photo by Ran Mor)

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The next 2 days, I stayed at a beautiful retreat center.

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This is Ralph! …super mellow 🙂

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Relax. Indeed.

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I love all the decorations in this house!

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I was right next to a yoga studio. Felt so good to stretch my body! Namaste!

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I got to be in a dolphin tour and I was the only one on the boat!!! Ralph was looking out dolphins for me. Thanks, big guy!

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Dolphins!


Ralph, almost there!! He is 11 yr old! (88 human age! He must be eating super healthy!)

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Successful day with 10 dolphins!! #oceanhug I loved every minute of it!

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Finishing the awesome workshop and the dolphin trip, I decided to celebrate (again) at Stewart’s Conch Salad Stand!

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I was here 4 days straight! My favorite is lobster and conch combo!

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Their hot sauce is a serious business. Sweet wine was the best match for that!

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You see a conch shell island from the salad stand. Everybody leaves names to mark the existence. I left my name too!

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You see all the conch shells we’ve eaten right outside…. Just a bit too many? I wonder if they are going to run out eventually… How do does conch grow without these shells!!??

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AND Bahamian rum Ricardo!!

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These local kids are so photogenic!

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cute brothers 🙂

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Found one school!  I’m meeting one cancer survivor from this school when I come back next year.

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Ralph has a great life here! zzzz…

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This is my last #oceanhug … 🙁 I had such a great time hanging out with other photographers and meeting locals on this island. I’m going to miss Bimini when I head back to SF… 🙁

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Heading back to Florida. See you again, Bimini!

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I was approved by U.S. and stayed one night in Florida! First thing, I wanted to eat green vegetables that was lacking in Bahama. Anything non-fried stuff, please!! I almost cried when I saw these green beans!!!

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Then I rushed off to my friend, Medusirena’s performance at a mermaid bar!!! Beautiful aquarium!

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And a DJ!!! Party happening here!!!

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I need to catch up with everybody! #titosodanoice

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They were amazing underwater dancers. I can’t wait to meet them for a photo shoot when I come back!

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I got to do a mini interview with Medusirena. talking about what water means to her.

Thank you so much for the present!! Super cute!

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I’m back in CA. I had such an amazing trip to Bahama and a little stop in Florida. I can’t wait to head back to the east side again soon!!

 

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