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
October 27, 2023/by
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...
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ABC 7 Bay Area News KGO

Underwater Healer About Face
May 25, 2023/by
Thank you so much #ABC7News #ABC7 #KGO-TVSanFrancisco (ABC7) for sharing my Underwater Transformation Project with cancer and trauma survivors. Since I launched my campaign about a month ago, it's been like riding a roller coaster. I want to thank all of the donors for the generous support. Currently, there are 71 donors contributed about $5k total (minus process fees) from GoFundMe and Media Alliance 501c3. With this, I can get to the Bay Area, Los Angeles and possibly Portland/Seattle survivors. THANK YOU!! Any dollar amount will help to reach 22 survivors on the list. Also if you sign up for the underwater photo session, 100% of your portrait session fee will be donated to this campaign. Please click on the link to read the message and waiting list of thrivers! https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-22-survivors-and-thrivers Thank you so much for your support aways. Erena #underwatertransformation #underwaterphotography #aquatictherapy #cancersurvivor #domesticviolenceawareness #autism #ptsd #veteran #suicideprevention #breastcancerawareness #malebreastcancer #chronicpain #depression #multiplesclerosisawareness #leukemiaawareness...
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GoFundME – Help 22 survivors and thrivers with underwater transformative photography

Underwater Healer About Face
April 8, 2023/by
I founded the Underwater Transformation Project ten years ago after realizing the power of underwater portrait photography to overcome incredible obstacles. Over the last nine years our small nonprofit has been helping cancer and trauma survivors find solace and transform their lives. For the project’s 10 year anniversary, we are fundraising to serve 22 more survivors and thrivers this year. Because this is a volunteer-run organization, 100% of your donations will go toward the operational costs of photography sessions (primarily pool rental, equipment maintenance, accommodation and transportation). I know firsthand the restorative power of water. I am the survivor of a traumatic car accident that killed my father and left me with a fractured body and brain injury. It was a miracle I survived. Scuba diving and underwater photography became a transformative part of my own emotional and physical recovery process. Later, when I began photographing cancer survivors, I realized the potential for underwater photography to restore joy and a sense of beauty to other trauma survivors. I saw how the powerful experience of total immersion that one has in the water, combined with portrait photography, can help others who have been traumatized by domestic violence, PTSD, chronic pains, gender dysphoria, and physical disabilities. In his book “The Healing Power of Water,” Dr. Bruce E. Becker, a clinical professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine, explores the substantial physiological and psychological benefits of total immersion in the water. According to Dr. Becker, "Scientific knowledge of the physiology of immersion...
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Tara – Breast cancer survivor is returning to the safe space

Underwater Healer About Face
June 12, 2022/by
 My name is Tara. I chose to do a second underwater transformation healing session with Erena, as the first one I did one year before was an incredibly healing and special experience for me. The sensation of being in warm water, with my various creative costumes on was a freeing, liberating and comforting moment. I truly appreciated the tasteful, artistic photos I received after the event and have enjoyed sharing them on my blog page, social media and other outlets. The fact that I love being in the water made my time with Erena a bit of a fantasy come true, I got to wear my beautiful wedding dress and mermaid tail and step into my own magical land! The last year of my life has been tremendously traumatic in many ways. Both my parents tragically died within a four month time period, in pretty challenging circumstances. I chose to do another session with her as I was aware of how much grief, trauma and PTSD I was carrying after both of their deaths. I knew that being in the water would be a healing experience to help transform the shock and pain I had been feeling with their loss. Before the photo session, I was in a deep space of grief, sadness, physical exhaustion and overwhelm due to the turbulence of being a caretaker and experiencing profound and sudden loss in a short period of time. - What did you think of Shibari? Shibari was a fascinating experience for me! When Erena suggested...
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3 basic steps on how to submerge

about, Underwater Healer About Face, uw maternity, uw portrait
July 26, 2021/by
Who wants to do underwater portrait shoot? ☀️ ☀️ ☀️ I’m not a professional underwater model or free diver. But I can still do this and you can too! Who cares what other people think! Just be you and believe you can do it. Science as proven that warm water immersion has psychological and physiological benefits and I would love to share the experience with you! It feels SO good to be in a place where you feel safe and no judgment. By minute by minute, I’m able to sink longer and I’m able to feel free. Open my arms to hug the water to let the water control me. Check out this video to see how to submerge underwater in 3 basic steps. 1.Inhale exhale with a count of 5 for 5 rounds. 2.Last exhale, you exhale all the way (fast) BEFORE you submerge. OR exhale while you are submerging but need to stop bubbling out otherwise all the pictures have bubbles on your face ? 3. Move slow ?‍♀️ If I can do it, you can do it too! See you...
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Underwater Podcast with Bret Stanley

Underwater Healer About Face
October 28, 2020/by
I was invited to an underwater podcast hosted by Bret Stanley. He is also an underwater photographer who creates beautiful stunning images. I was flattered to be asked as a guest for a breast cancer awareness month to talk about my journey with cancer and trauma survivors. It's been awhile since the last time when I had a speaking gig so I was pretty nervous! It's hard to hear my own voice because I don't talk about myself in public. When the Talks@Google happened a year ago, that was the first time ever I opened my heart to share my personal story. During the podcast, when I spoke about how the car accident happened, my voice started to shake. I had to stop for a few seconds to breathe. Bret asked me if I wanted to change the subject but I said no. Because it's important to talk about what happened, who I am and how I got here. If you have any comments or questions, please email me. Thank you for...
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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....
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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...
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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. ...
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Talks@Google

about, Underwater Healer About Face
March 6, 2019/by
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...
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