Underwater Transformation About Face Underwater Transformation About Face
Dr. Riva Z. Robinson

Dr. Riva Z. Robinson – Functional Medicine Doctor

uw portrait
August 7, 2020/by
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...
Read Full Story

Interview with my mom about aqua fitness

Underwater Healer About Face, uw portrait
May 22, 2020/by
This underwater image was taken during my sister’s underwater maternity shoot. I knew water was not my mom's favorite place but she still wanted to help. She has a water related traumatic experience in the past and it causes fear of deep water. By looking at this photo, I can say that she has the best smile out of all of us! She is brave and strong! Ere: When did you start feeling nervous about water and why? Ma: I learned to swim when I was in elementary school in Japan. But years later, somebody pushed me down under water (he thought it was funny!) and I panicked. Ever since, I started to feel anxious thinking about deep water. I get scared when my feet don't touch the bottom because I can't control my balance and movement. It also feels like I'm falling down from the sky. Ere: How was your daughter's underwater maternity session? Were you ok in the water? Ma:  I was staying in the 4.5 feet area video taping. It was harder than I expected. I don't remember the last time when I swam in a pool. It must be a long time ago. But I felt really really good because the water temperature was 92F and it relaxed my body and tension. Ere: You are taking aqua fitness classes. What is the reason for going back to the water after the photo shoot? Ma:  I realized I felt so refreshed and happy when I left the pool. Like my spirit was lifted....
Read Full Story

2020 Mexico – Cabo Pulmo, La Paz and Todo Santos Trip Report

Travel
April 1, 2020/by
Mexico, 2020! We were a little nervous leaving U.S. for Mexico because of the corona virus pandemic and a U.S. border closure. Well... we are heading out! We'll see what happens~~ Best time to travel... Half of the plane was empty. I got extra cookies :) When we arrived, I got a message with a drawing map from my Airbnb to get to his place in Cabo Pulmo. One road... We got a rental car and drove about 2 hours. Last 30 min seemed forever driving on a unpaved road. We were happy to see the ocean finally! The map was pretty accurate :) We got to our AirBnb. Super clean and simple. There were so many dogs hanging out here. All friendly and didn't bother us too much. These two, specially the pug wanted to show us around like he owns it. Such a boss.   It was windy and cloudy. Bad news was most of the dive shops closed due to the rough weather and all the snorkeling trips were canceled! They were not even sure about scuba diving until the next morning... I was bummed. I need a drink. Happy Hour! Beans and cheese... Shrimp ceviche Chips and salsa Next morning... After all the worries... YES!! I did 2 dives!! This is a national park and the reef is protected so I needed a permit for a big camera. Since weather was not so great anyways, I decided to shoot only with GoPro. I saw bull sharks for the first time! They were gracefully swimming around us and checking us out! In a muggy water,...
Read Full Story

2019 Florida trip – Shipwreck, alligators and sharks!

Travel
November 25, 2019/by
Red eye flight to get to Florida! I drove 2 hours from Fort Lauderdale to Key Largo. As soon as I arrived in Key Largo hotel, Marina Del Mar, I jumped in the pool immediately! So refreshing! I was not diving until the next day so I decided to walk around to check out the neighbor hood. Nobody was walking lol as usual. I found a Stephen Frink's gallery. He is one of my inspiring underwater photographers and they were getting ready for DEMA show. Then I wanted to get some snacks... This waffle house caught my eyes. I usually don't eat waffles but I had to stop there to check it out. Ladies were so friendly and working hard! Also checked out a Cuban restaurant. Food was ok here. May be I didn't order a right dish. I was with Rainbow Reef Dive Shop to do scuba dive for 3 days!   The dive shop had a cute 3 legged puppy. Super friendly dog welcomes us every morning :) Wants to play all the time! Look at his eyes!!! I was excited to be on the boat. I couldn't wait to go underwater! Getting ready to get my gear all together! Beautiful morning... Fun crew I got to to 2 days of reef diving and one day of whip wreck. Visibility was ok but I got to capture few shots. You can see more underwater images from here! I walked more around the neighborhood after my dive. Free pastry 3-7 pm if you order sandwich!! Lucky me! Beautiful sunset ...
Read Full Story

Please donate or sign up for a photo shoot in Huntington Beach

Travel, Underwater Healer About Face
July 4, 2019/by
Huntington Beach Photo Shoot 7/27 - 7/29!! I'm so excited to be coming out to LA to shoot 2 amazing female survivors and artists from Infinite Flow - An Inclusive Dance Company. I have time for only 5 more shoots. Let me know if you or your friends would like to shoot with me in Huntington Beach in 7/27-7/29 ★ Your session fee is tax-deductible and a portion of your funds will go towards photo sessions with trauma survivors. Donations are also greatly appreciated. Please donate here Marisa Hamamoto - Sexual harassment & stroke survivor Miya Schaikewitz - Spinal cord injury survivor Opening spots are 7/27 - 3pm, 6:30pm 7/28 - 9am, 3pm, 6:30pm 7/29 - 8am Huntington Beach Discounted Photo Package $250 Includes:  (This package price is ONLY for this location) • Consultation (50% deposit) In person or on Skype/Facetime • Pool session (50%) 60 min. Pool session • High resolution digital photos Two final retouched photos Additional retouched images are $25/per ••• Please contact me to save your spot! ••• This is my Talks@Google from this year sharing my story, passion and why I am here today. Please check it...
Read Full Story

Portland Trip Report!

Travel
June 18, 2019/by
Arrived in Portland!! Started walking around the neighborhood to get to the other side of the river. It was about 80F. Houses are really cute. I love these pointy roofs. Roses are blooming everywhere in the residential area. I stopped by at Pearl Bakery to have a little snack before the SHIBARI workshop! Vegan lemon poppy seeds was moist and delicious! Shibari workshop was held at Sanctuary club. Paintings are sexy. My first attempt! My friend, Audri had to stay with me for 3 hours. Thank you for being such an amazing model! Thank you, Seattle Shibari, Johnathan! Then I got to see the family!! Thank you Jerome for letting me borrow your wife! Their dog, Hanzo. Vegan chicken wrap! So deliciously fried! Cathedral park. Rose Garden was beautiful.   Houses around the garden were good looking. Walked through the Washington park. Then walked to the famous Powell bookstore. It was a perfect place to rest in AC. I wanted to get an ice tea so I stopped by at this Bakery. This vegan raspberry truffle was delicious! I got to meet my friend Lindsay at the bar, Vintage.    The last day... I went for a walk in the morning. I love stopping by at cafes in Portland. They are so cute. It was a nice walk and saw this pup getting sunbathe. Then I packed my stuff and checked out my Airbnb. Walked to this cafe to meet my friend, Yoko! It's been awhile, we had a great time catching up over lunch! I walked...
Read Full Story

Interview with a pro underwater mermaid model and travel nurse

uw portrait
June 16, 2019/by
Interviewed one of my underwater beauty clients Angela who is a professional mermaid model and a travel nurse. She worked as a mermaid at Weeki Wachee Springs before that ❤️ I have so much respect towards nurses because I was hospitalized after my car accident. Thank you so much for what you do 🙏 ❤️ . • What inspired you to be a mermaid? . I grew up in Spring Hill Florida where Weeki Wachee Springs is located. My family took me to see the mermaid shows since I was 2. I grew up always wanting to be a Weeki Wachee Mermaid. After high school I went to Surgical Technologist school and worked with a travel nurse who had a friend that was a mermaid in the 50s. I met her at the Christmas show and applied for a mermaid position. I tried out in January and made it!!! It was the best three and a half years ever!!! . •What inspired you to become a travel nurse? . I always knew I was going to go to nursing school. My love for travel started in 2008 and I couldn’t wait to travel for work. My first assignment was in New York City!! I absolutely loved it and continued travel nursing until I found my forever home in San Francisco ❤️ . •What is the hardest moment you’ve experienced and what is the best moment? . The hardest moments were definitely nursing school!! The best moments have been with my family and during my travels!!!! . •What’s your dream? . Thankfully I’ve gotten to live...
Read Full Story

An interview an underwater maternity client, a trauma ICU nurse

about, uw maternity, uw portrait
June 1, 2019/by
I interviewed one of the underwater maternity clients @follow_da_lita_ who is a trauma ICU nurse. I have so much respect towards doctors and nurses because of the hospitalization after my car accident. I can’t thank them enough for what they do 🙏 ❤️ Q: What inspired you to become a trauma ICU nurse? A: I will start off by saying that I wanted to be a labor and delivery nurse initially. When I had to go through my ICU rotation, I was placed at a level 1 trauma center. I cannot put into words the things I’ve experienced. Watching someone go from having 9 toes in the grave to walking on your unit months later to thank you for all of your help is one of the most gratifying experiences I’ve ever had. Cliche as it may sound I’ve always loved helping people. That coupled with me being an adrenaline junkie, is why I chose to stay in the field of trauma critical care nursing. Q: What is the hardest moment you experienced and what is the best moment? A: The hardest moment for me (it still makes me tear up to this day) is having to remove a 9 month old baby from life support after being declared brain dead from crush injuries sustained in an accident because mom thought it was a good idea to drive and breastfeed. 😢 The best moment for me was receiving a video of a former patient riding a bike for the first time in over a...
Read Full Story

San Diego Trip Report with Liz Carmouche!

Travel, Underwater Healer About Face, uw portrait
April 14, 2019/by
Leaving San Francisco was such a hectic experience! I was really stressed out but when I woke up to this beautiful morning, I inhaled and exhaled deeply with my eyes closed. I could forget all the negative thoughts and restored fresh mind. It's so dreamy and surreal. I started assembling my new Ikelite gear. This is my first time using their new housing and I find that it's simpler than the older version. I'm liking it! I met Liz! She is already comfortable being underwater because she plays in the UTL (Underwater Torpedo League), so I wasn't worry about anything! She can stay solid underwater. Her body is like a weight! (100% muscle) Communication is important during the photo shoot. THANK YOU Liz and her son for making time to meet me and do underwater transformative photography! They were so amazing underwater. Please read her story and beautiful images from here. BIG THANK YOU to Michael Timm, a free dive/scuba instructor from SD who helped me capture behind the scenes. I treated myself with an amazing lunch after the photo shoot! The sushi chef was Japanese and highly recommended me to go to Sea World... (ah...no thanks...) My Airbnb host was friendly and sweet. She was also backing 400 cup cakes for her grand kid's school event!!! ...yes, 400!! The place has a pool and Jacuzzi!! Gotta come back here in Summer! After I left the house, I decided to do Falconry for the first time. I actually didn't know that this sport is 4000 years old!! They were so beautiful. ...
Read Full Story