If ABBA had their own pool set, we imagine it would look something like this.
I recently transformed the studio in Fullerton, CA into something we’d never tried before: a reflective underwater room wrapped in Mylar, glowing with color, and filled with movement. What started as a set experiment quickly turned into an impromptu music video session—complete with underwater audio, lip-syncing, and lots of dancing.
This blog post gives a closer look at what it took to build this surreal space and how I captured it through my lens as the underwater photographer at Submerge. Whether you’re a content creator, model, or just someone who wants a shoot that’s truly different, this setup shows what’s possible when photography meets imagination—and water.
Collaborating with Philecia La Bounty
We were excited to share this incredible set with our new friend and metastatic breast cancer survivor, Philecia La Bounty (https://www.instagram.com/philecia). You can read all about her story in the latest People Magazine article here: https://people.com/philecia-labounty-breast-cancer-social-media-11683540
Philecia came to us with two incredible looks by celebrity latex designer, Blacklickorish Latex (https://www.instagram.com/blacklickorish/)
and we were blown away by the results! Check them out.
Philecia’s story deeply moved us. It was an honor to collaborate on such strong, captivating underwater art, and incredibly rewarding to see these images come to life.
Why Underwater Photography Sets the Mood
I’m not just a photographer. Every session at Submerge starts with the mindset of an underwater photographer. That means I think differently about movement, light, and the way clothing flows. When you’re submerged, even the simplest poses can take on a dreamlike quality.
That’s why we love working with creative clients—people who want something more than a headshot or casual beach shoot. When you step into our pool studio, the energy changes. You’re not just posing in front of a camera; you’re part of a visual story. You can move, float, dance, or even act out a scene. And my job is to make that vision come to life.
The Idea Behind the Reflective Room
This reflective room came from a simple question: what happens when you take a classic element—Mylar—and bring it underwater?
I wanted to build a set that was bold but flexible. Mylar reflects light in strange and beautiful ways, especially when water adds distortion. That gave me a new way to play with layering, movement, and abstract backgrounds. The goal was to give each photo a little extra energy—something unexpected that would still feel personal.
Instead of relying on editing or post-production, I leaned into real effects: floating reflections, duplicated models, warped light patterns. Knowing how to position lights, time the shutter, and guide models underwater allowed me to create magic in real time.
Lighting, Colors, and Movement
The color story for the shoot shifted depending on who stepped into the set. We rotated through lighting in pinks, purples, greens, and cool blues, adjusting for wardrobe, makeup, and vibe.
Some of my favorite shots came from moments we didn’t plan. A shimmer bounced the right way. A sparkle on a dress caught light from a new angle. As the underwater photographer, I’m constantly adapting. Unlike shooting on land, nothing stays still underwater. And I love that. It pushes me to stay creative and find new compositions as I go.
Our models brought the energy, too. Abbey, as the model coach, helped them find their confidence and brought out their best performances. Each of them brought their own concept—some leaned glam, some were theatrical, and others felt like characters straight out of a sci-fi fantasy. That’s part of the beauty of working in this reflective set: it feels like a portal. Once you're inside, everything changes.
Enter ABBA: Turning a Test Shoot into a Music Video
Halfway through testing our lighting, someone said it: “This set looks like it’s straight out of Mamma Mia.”
As longtime musical fans, we couldn’t resist. We hooked up our underwater audio system from our friends at Oceanears and cued up “Super Trouper.” Then we had our models lip-sync underwater.
It turned into one of the most unexpectedly fun shoots I’ve done. The reflective surfaces pulsed with light, models danced and floated in sync, and I captured it all from behind the lens. As the underwater photographer, it’s rare to get moments where technical skill meets spontaneous fun so perfectly.
The Technical Side: A Balancing Act
From the photography side, this was one of my most complex sets to date. Reflections bounced from every angle. It wasn’t enough to set up a light and start shooting.
Instead, I kept repositioning: lights, models, camera angles—sometimes even flipping upside-down to get the frame just right. I used natural distortion to create abstract compositions, staying aware of every ripple and shadow.
It’s one thing to call yourself an underwater photographer, but it’s another to fully lean into the challenges of that space. I thrive on that. It’s why I build these kinds of sets—not just to look cool, but to challenge myself to make something you can’t replicate anywhere else.
Why This Set Works So Well for Clients
We’ve heard it again and again: people want their content to stand out. Whether they’re influencers, music artists, or just folks wanting a next-level portrait, they’re searching for something no one else is doing.
That’s what the underwater reflective room delivers. It offers an experience—not just a backdrop. You’re stepping into something immersive, cinematic, and colorful. You’re guided by myself as the underwater photographer and Abbey as the model coach, who knows how to capture it in a way that still feels authentic to you.
What to Expect from a Session Like This
Never been in front of the camera underwater? Totally fine. We walk you through everything—from breath holds to hand placement. And if your goal is to dance underwater while singing ABBA? We can handle that too.
With the reflective room, we’ll build a concept around your goals. Want dreamy and slow? We’ll go with soft lighting and floaty fabrics. Prefer bold and glam? We’ll switch to sharper colors and punchy poses. Either way, the focus is on making sure you feel confident and inspired in the water.
Looking Ahead: More Underwater Photography Sets on the Way
This reflective room was just the beginning. We’re already brainstorming our next underwater set—something that pushes the envelope even further.
Our goal is to keep reimagining what underwater photography can look like. And we want our clients to be a part of that creative process.
Ready to create something unforgettable underwater?
Explore our studio offerings here or follow us on Instagram @submergeunderwater for more behind-the-scenes ideas. Let’s plan a shoot that floats far above the ordinary.
