Originally from New Zealand, I now reside in the small beach side community of Byron Bay, Australia. With an interest in photojournalism and ocean imagery, photography has allowed me to travel to remote areas of the world-documenting subjects for the purpose of education and positive change for the environment. I started practising underwater photography in 2014 and ever since have tried to use my photographs as a way to spread awareness about environmental issues as well as foster love for the ocean by replacing fear with fascination. I do enjoy to scuba dive, but all my images are taking while free diving under natural light. Matty.
Celine Kaufmann (CeliK) Originally freediver, turned scubadiver. It all started when I was 6 years old and spent a summer with my family in Spain. The place we stayed at had a 4m deep swimming pool. Our days were spent by the pool, playing with my older sibling. As for any big brother (well...the naughty ones at least!), he teased and bullied me, his favorite game being to throw my toys in the pool. At first, it was just in the shallow end, so I'd just dive to go get them as they had sunk to the bottom. Eventually he threw it further and further, towards the deep end. The added prospect that I'd be scolded by the parents if they caught me in the deep end entertained him even more. So eventually my doll sunk down to 4m, and well...I went to get it. From that day on, it became my game to go down to the deep end. Water is my refuge and the ocean is a sanctuary. Discovering scuba diving enabled me to fulfill this ever lasting need to be submerged in water and to participate in efforts to protect our oceans. PADI Enriched Air Diver