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MAY 1-3, 2026


Capture breathtaking underwater portraits and master safety diving in the world's deepest facility.


Ready to dive into an unparalleled creative experience? Join us for an exclusive 3-day Elite Underwater Modeling & Photography Workshop at Deep Dive Dubai, the world's deepest and most extraordinary underwater facility.


We're inviting a selective group of models and photographers to immerse themselves in a unique, collaborative program led by passionate underwater creators. Your stunning images will be crafted under the expert guidance of acclaimed underwater photographer Justin Lutsky and professional mermaid/model coach Abbey Blake.


For models, you'll master essential breath-hold techniques and learn captivating underwater posing. For photographers, you'll refine your lighting skills and learn to direct models to capture your artistic vision. What truly sets this workshop apart is the unparalleled opportunity to work seamlessly and safely within Deep Dive Dubai's exceptional environment, supported by their world-class divers and staff.


Throughout your training, we'll stage epic photo shoots amidst Deep Dive Dubai's breathtaking "sunken city." Models will walk away with a portfolio of stunning underwater portraits, while photographers will have the opportunity to build a powerful body of work featuring highly skilled models. This is more than a workshop; it's an opportunity for both models and photographers to elevate their portfolio and artistry in an unforgettable environment, under the expert instruction of the best in the business.

What Sets Our Workshop AparT


This isn't just another underwater modeling or photography workshop. It's a transformative experience designed to empower you with the skills of a professional artist and the expertise of an industry insider.


We believe that true mastery comes from collaboration and a holistic understanding of the entire underwater production process. By bringing models and photographers together, we combine elite model and photography training with essential safety diver training. This unique approach ensures you will not only create stunning art, but also learn to navigate the challenges of a professional set with confidence and competence.


You'll leave as a more knowledgeable, adaptable, and valuable professional, ready to succeed both in front of and behind the lens.


Master the Art, Understand the Craft: A COMPREHENSIVE Approach

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Elevate Your Craft

Unparalleled Model Training


The Deep Dive Dubai workshop is meticulously designed to transform your underwater modeling capabilities. Under the direct guidance of professional mermaid/model coach Abbey Blake, you'll immerse yourself in an intensive curriculum covering:


  • Advanced Underwater Posing Techniques: Master captivating and dynamic poses that translate beautifully in a submerged environment.
  • Optimized Breath-Hold: Enhance your breath-hold capacity and comfort, allowing for longer, more fluid takes during photo sessions.
  • Precise Buoyancy Control: Learn exact control over your movement to achieve graceful and stable positions effortlessly.
  • Expression and Connection: Discover how to convey emotion and connect with the camera underwater, creating powerful and artistic portraits.


This dedicated training ensures you leave not only with a stunning portfolio but with a refined skill set that will distinguish you in the world of underwater art.

Underwater divers explore a room in a flooded building with aqua blue lighting and stone staircases.

BEHIND the Lens

A creative Track for Photographers


This exclusive track is your opportunity to expand your creative vision and build an incredible portfolio. Working alongside acclaimed underwater photographer Justin Lutsky, you'll learn the essential techniques for shooting in the unique environment of Deep Dive Dubai:


  • Creative Lighting: Master the use of strobes, video lights, and natural light to create dramatic and artistic effects.
  • Model Direction: Learn how to effectively communicate with models underwater to guide them into captivating poses and expressions.
  • Technical Gear & Workflow: Gain hands-on experience with specialized camera housings and lighting systems, while learning an efficient workflow for high-end underwater shoots.
  • Buoyancy & Positioning: Develop precise buoyancy control to navigate the environment and position yourself for the perfect shot.
  • Post-Production for Underwater Photos: Understand essential editing techniques to enhance water clarity, correct color, and refine your final images.
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Dive Safe, Create More

Essential Safety Diver Training


A truly distinctive component of the Deep Dive Dubai workshop is the integrated Safety Diver Training. Recognizing the importance of a safe and efficient underwater production environment, this module offers participants a hands-on opportunity to:


  • Support Fellow Collaborators: Learn to provide crucial in-water support and assistance to other models and photographers during their photo sessions, ensuring their comfort and safety.
  • Understand Production Protocols: Gain practical insight into the operational aspects of a professional underwater photoshoot, from equipment management to communication.
  • Emergency Preparedness: Familiarize yourself with basic underwater safety protocols and emergency procedures within a controlled, professional setting.
  • Enhance Situational Awareness: Develop a keen eye for potential hazards and learn proactive measures to mitigate risks during underwater activities.


This invaluable experience not only contributes to a safer workshop for everyone but also equips you with a deeper understanding of underwater production, making you a more versatile and knowledgeable professional in the field.

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Stunning Underwater Portraits


This workshop culminates in a truly unique and collaborative experience. Both models and photographers will take part in professionally guided, SCUBA-assisted photo sessions within the awe-inspiring depths and intricate "sunken city" sets of Deep Dive Dubai.


  • For models, this is your exclusive opportunity to pose for the camera and capture stunning, artistic portraits that will dramatically elevate your professional portfolio.
  • For photographers, you will work directly with trained models to capture your artistic vision and build a powerful body of work in an unparalleled environment.



These sessions will yield a collection of high-resolution, fully edited images for each participant, ensuring you leave with captivating imagery that stands out in the industry.

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Safety Diver Training & Support


This workshop offers a truly unique advantage: participants will not only shoot and model but also receive comprehensive training as safety divers. This invaluable opportunity allows you to actively support other models and photographers during their photo sessions, gaining a profound and practical understanding of underwater production, rigorous safety protocols, and the collaborative dynamics of a professional underwater shoot. This hands-on experience in a critical support role is unparalleled in other workshops and significantly enhances your overall expertise in the underwater industry.

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Unrivaled Venue & World-Class Support


Conduct your training and photo shoots within Deep Dive Dubai, the world's deepest and most extraordinary underwater facility. Benefit from its unparalleled depths, massive freshwater pool, and intricate "sunken city" sets. Crucially, you'll operate seamlessly and safely within this exceptional environment, supported by Deep Dive Dubai's world-class divers and staff, renowned as the absolute best in the industry, ensuring the safest and most impressive setting for your artistic development.

Meet Your Expert Instructors

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Justin Lutsky

Photographer

Acclaimed underwater photographer and dive instructor, dedicated to capturing underwater artistry.

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Abbey Blake

Model Coach

Professional mermaid & model coach, providing personalized guidance on breath-hold techniques and captivating underwater posing.

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Our Venue: Deep DIve Dubai


The Elite Underwater Modeling & Photography Workshop is proudly hosted at Deep Dive Dubai, the world's deepest and most extraordinary underwater facility.

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Unrivaled Depths


As the deepest facility globally, reaching 60 meters (196 feet), it provides an unparalleled environment for diverse underwater photography, allowing for a wide range of creative depths and perspectives.

Massive Freshwater Pool


Immerse yourself in an indoor pool filled with 14 million liters of freshwater, offering crystal-clear visibility for your shoots.

"Sunken City" Sets


Epic photo shoots will be staged amidst breathtaking and intricate "sunken city" backdrops, featuring apartments, a garage, and other unique elements, offering unparalleled artistic opportunities and diverse scenes for your portfolio.

Underground corridor with blue lighting and exposed brick walls features a table and chairs in an industrial-style setting.
Aerial view of a glowing reactor core or energy chamber with blue light emission in dark industrial setting.
Futuristic underwater science lab interior with robotic arms and machinery illuminated by blue lighting in deep sea facility.
Artistic photo series showing figure in blue dress moving through dimly lit vintage library space.
Artistic dark forest scene with subtle glowing blue lights and foliage creating a mystical atmosphere.
Person in blue dress poses gracefully against brick wall in dramatic lighting with bookshelves in background.
Person in a bright green dress poses dramatically on white geometric shapes in low light conditions.
Decorative hanging mermaid sculptures with scaly blue tails illuminate a dimly lit brick tunnel passageway.
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World-Class Support


Work seamlessly and safely within Deep Dive Dubai's exceptional environment, supported by their world-class divers and staff, renowned as the absolute best in the industry.

Safety and Impression


It is the safest and most impressive facility of its kind, ensuring a secure and productive learning and modeling experience, with state-of-the-art filtration and safety systems.

Ideal for Special Projects


Beyond its recreational offerings, Deep Dive Dubai is designed to host special projects and events, making it the perfect, controlled underwater studio for this elite workshop.

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Modern retail store interior with sleek display tables, chairs, and wall-mounted merchandise showcasing a minimalist design.
Audience members seated in rows of chairs watch a presentation in front of a blue painted mural wall.
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MAY 1-3, 2026

SAMPLE SCHEDULE

*subject to change

DAY 1: Foundations & Safety


Comprehensive Classroom Presentations: Delve into the core principles of underwater modeling and photography, essential SCUBA skills, rigorous safety protocols, and the critical aspects of working effectively both with and as a dedicated safety diver.


Gear Setup for Photographers: This is a dedicated session to ensure your equipment is fully prepared and optimized for the unique environment of Deep Dive Dubai. You’ll receive hands-on guidance from instructors to assemble and water-test your camera housing, strobes, and specialized gear, allowing you to get comfortable with your setup and troubleshoot any issues before getting into the water.

Orientation SCUBA Dive: Experience an immersive orientation dive within the magnificent Deep Dive Dubai facility, familiarizing yourself with its unique underwater environment and operational procedures.


Shallow Water Practical Training: Engage in focused practical sessions in shallow water, covering:

  • Modeling and breath-hold techniques for optimal underwater posing.
  • Proper weighting to establish neutral buoyancy for performing fluidly in the water.
  • Effective communication and collaboration strategies when working directly with a safety diver.
  • Hands-on training in the crucial responsibilities and techniques required when performing as a safety diver for fellow participants.


Demo Modeling Session: This is your opportunity to see a full professional session unfold in real-time. Models will observe how to interact with the photographer, understand posing cues, and see the entire creative process from a spectator's perspective. Photographers will have a hands-on opportunity to practice shooting with their gear, capturing initial frames while observing the direction and communication of a professional shoot.

Day 2 & 3: Photoshoots & Practical Application


Image Review Session: Begin each day with a dedicated classroom session for reviewing and critiquing images captured during the previous day's photo shoots, providing valuable feedback and insights for artistic refinement.


Dynamic Underwater Photo Sessions: Participants will engage in a series of dynamic underwater SCUBA-assisted photo sessions, rotating through roles to gain comprehensive experience. Each participant will complete two dedicated sessions as a featured underwater model or photographer, capturing stunning portfolio-ready images.


Applied Safety Diver Roles: Concurrently, each participant will fulfill the vital role of a safety diver for two sessions, applying learned protocols and supporting fellow collaborators to ensure a secure and efficient underwater production environment.

A mermaid with a purple and blue tail perches gracefully on a tree trunk amidst glowing butterflies in a magical forest.

Optional Extras


Arrive early to Dubai and enhance your diving credentials before the workshop begins with these optional certifications:


PADI Open Water Diver Certification: Gain your foundational diving qualification.


PADI Advanced Open Water Diver Certification: Enhance your underwater skills and explore deeper.


PADI Enriched Air (Nitrox) Diver Certification: Extend your bottom time and reduce surface intervals.


*Book courses directly with Deep Dive Dubai. For more information, pricing and booking details visit: www.deepdivedubai.com


Additional Fun Dives: Participants will have the opportunity to book additional recreational "fun dives" directly with Deep Dive Dubai at a discounted rate, allowing for more exploration of the facility's unique underwater attractions.


Video Content: Elevate your memories with professional video content captured your workshop experience, available as raw footage or edited into a personalized highlight reel.


Additional Photo Edits: Enhance your portfolio further with additional professional photo edits beyond the included collection, allowing for more refined and diverse imagery.

Prerequisites

To ensure a safe and productive experience for all participants:


  • Required: All participants are required to have an Open Water SCUBA Certification prior to starting the workshop. Active DAN diving insurance is also required.


  • Highly Encouraged: The ability to comfortably perform a 1-minute static breath-hold.



  • Suggested: Advanced Open Water Diver Certification for those interested in exploring the facility's deeper areas.

INVESTMENT

Workshop Fee: $2,850 per person


Payment Schedule:

$500 deposit to secure your spot

$500 Oct 1, 2025

$500 Dec 1, 2025

$500 Jan 1, 2025

$850 Feb 1, 2026

*All payments are non-refundable.

Inclusions:

  • A Comprehensive 3-Day Elite Workshop: A fully-immersive, hands-on workshop experience designed to transform your skills from start to finish.
  • World-Class Instruction: Personalized coaching and expert guidance from acclaimed underwater photographer Justin Lutsky and professional mermaid/model coach Abbey Blake.
  • High-End Photo Sessions: Dedicated, SCUBA-assisted photo sessions in the stunning "sunken city" of Deep Dive Dubai, ensuring ample time to practice your new skills and capture incredible portfolio images.
  • Integrated Safety Diver Training: Hands-on, practical experience as a safety diver, giving you a holistic understanding of underwater production and making you a more versatile professional.
  • Live Photo Review Sessions: Immediate feedback and professional critique from your instructors to accelerate your learning and improve your craft in real-time.
  • Portfolio-Ready Images: For models, an online preview gallery of all workshop photos so you can pick your favorites, and 8 fully edited, high-resolution underwater portraits for your professional portfolio.
  • Exclusive Access: Full access to Deep Dive Dubai’s world-class facility, including its state-of-the-art support staff, dedicated training spaces, and unique underwater sets.
  • Hassle-Free Equipment: All necessary professional SCUBA equipment and air fills provided, so you can focus entirely on your training and performance.

Exclusions:

  • Flights and accommodations
  • Ground transportation
  • Meals (participants can purchase meals at Deep Dive Dubai's on-site restaurant)
  • Outfits and wardrobe for photo sessions (models are required to bring their own looks)
  • Hair and makeup supplies
  • PADI certification course fees (for optional extras)
  • Personal diving insurance (required)
  • Additional recreational "fun dives" booked with Deep Dive Dubai
  • Personal highlight video and additional edits (available to order after the workshop)
  • Camera equipment (photographer gear needs will be assessed on a individual basis)
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Ready to Dive in?

Apply Now!


This exclusive workshop is designed for a highly selective group of only 8 aspiring or established models or photographers, ensuring personalized attention and an intimate learning environment. Spaces are extremely limited and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Don't miss your chance to elevate your modeling career and artistry in an unforgettable environment.

Check OUt Our First Trip to Deep Dive Dubai IN 2024

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Three dark and moody photos show someone in a flowing green dress reclining on a white piano.
Dancer in blue dress performing graceful movements in dimly lit brick room with dramatic lighting effects.
Ethereal underwater dancer in flowing blue dress creates mirror reflection effect in deep blue aquatic environment.
A figure in a vibrant pink dress poses dramatically in a stone archway at night.
A person in pink clothing lies dramatically on a dark staircase in an artistic portrait composition.
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A dark and moody industrial scene with turquoise lighting illuminating machinery and metal fixtures.
A figure in a pink dress poses on top of a red sports car with glowing headlights in a dark underground setting.
Blue laser beams dance in a dimly lit room with brick walls and shelves filled with books and electronics.
A person in black attire reclines against a vintage car in a dimly lit brick-walled setting with dramatic lighting.
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A series of artistic mermaid figures displayed in a mystical underground tunnel with brick archways and dramatic lighting.
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