This past week I had the amazing opportunity to go on a 5 day boat trip to Catalina Island with my Underwater Photography class. We left on Monday night and arrived early Tuesday morning on the Eastern side of Catalina Island where we dropped anchor. Everyday was a great learning experience but also the most intense rush of excitement.

Here is a selection of images I wanted to share from this awesome experience with everyone so I hope you enjoy them!

The view from our boat at Sea Fan Grotto.

I was very recently certified as a Open Water Diver so it was amazing to be able to explore what was beneath the oceans surface. Being in the underwater world is quite possibly the most breathtaking thing to ever experience. To be able to dive down 50 feet and see how the other half lives, really, there is nothing like it.

The kelp forest at Anacapa Island, Channel Islands, CA.

I had the great chance to work with some beautiful models during the trip which was cool for a change, I never really get to work with models so getting to work with them in the ocean was even better! Oh yeah did I mention I got to work with Mermaids?!

@projectmermaids Beautiful tails made by The Mertailor

Waking up and going to bed looking over the horizon was truly an unbelievable feeling, the long summer days felt endless and the world looked infinite.

A portrait of one of the crew members, Chase.

Lets just say carrying all of our heavy dive equipment to all of the unnecessary sun burns and skin peeling was all well worth it. I have never experienced the ocean in such a way and really words cannot explain what I have gained from this. I can't thank my amazing professor Ralph Clevenger enough for everything he has done for my class and for this unbelievable experience.

I belong in the ocean its where I need to be.