When you want underwater portraits, the hardest part is often finding a session that feels calm, safe, and flattering. You may be picturing a dreamy result, but worrying about how to prepare, what to wear, or how to help everyone relax once the water comes into play.
Lisa Whitmore Photography creates underwater photography sessions across Los Angeles, CA with a relaxed approach that keeps the focus on natural expression, clean composition, and a smooth experience from consultation to ordering. We help you plan the look, timing, and movement so the final images feel artistic instead of forced.
Underwater portraits
Underwater photography is a striking way to create portraits that feel soft, elevated, and memorable. It works especially well for clients who want something more expressive than a standard studio session, while still keeping the experience personal and guided.
These sessions are often chosen for maternity portraits, children’s portraits, and creative family images. The water adds movement and texture, while professional lighting helps keep faces, hands, and shapes clear. The result is not about posing harder. It is about shaping a moment that looks natural once it is captured underwater.
For clients across Los Angeles, CA, we design each session around the look you want and the comfort level of the people being photographed. That may mean a simple set of floating poses, playful movement, or a carefully planned sequence that builds confidence as the session unfolds.
How we plan
Good underwater images start before anyone gets near the water. The planning stage matters because the session needs to match the subject, the setting, and the style you want from the final portraits.
Lisa Whitmore Photography begins with a pre-session consultation by phone or in person. During that conversation, we talk through the mood you want, who is being photographed, and whether the session should feel clean and minimal or more creative and expressive. We also review wardrobe choices and simple activity guidance so the water session feels manageable rather than overwhelming.
What we cover
- Session goals: portrait style, mood, and who the images are for
- Wardrobe direction: colors, fabric movement, and what photographs well underwater
- Pose ideas: floating, extended body lines, face-forward portraits, and family interactions
- Location setup: studio or on-location planning based on the session design
- Ordering flow: how you will review images later, by in person meeting or Zoom
This upfront guidance reduces guesswork and helps the session feel organized from the start. It also allows us to focus on the creative side once the shoot begins.
Session styles
Underwater portraits can be adapted to several different kinds of sessions, depending on who is participating and what kind of final image you want. The most successful sessions are usually simple, intentional, and built around movement that feels comfortable for the subject.
Maternity portraits
Maternity underwater photography creates a graceful look that highlights shape, flow, and quiet expression. Fabrics can move beautifully in the water, and the result often feels soft and sculptural. We help plan wardrobe and pacing so the session stays calm and visually clean.
Children sessions
Children often respond well to underwater photography when the session is structured carefully and kept light. A child does not need complicated posing. Simple movement, short takes, and a patient pace usually create the strongest images. The goal is to capture genuine expression and playful motion without pushing too hard.
Family portraits
Family underwater portraits can be both creative and meaningful. These sessions may include coordinated movement, individual portraits, or paired images that show connection through gesture and expression. Planning matters even more here, because everyone needs a clear role in the session.
What to expect
Underwater sessions feel different from traditional portrait work, so it helps to know what the day will look like. The experience is structured, but it should not feel rushed. We guide each step so the client can stay focused on the moment rather than the process.
- Consultation: We discuss the portrait goals, setting, wardrobe, and the overall look you want.
- Preparation: You receive guidance on what to bring, how to dress, and how to prepare for the session.
- Photography: The session is directed with a calm rhythm so the water movement, expression, and lighting work together.
- Image review: You choose favorites during an ordering session, either in person or via Zoom.
This structure helps clients feel supported from the beginning. It also keeps the focus on creating portraits that look polished and timeless, rather than overly staged.
Lighting and style
Underwater imagery depends on more than the water itself. Lighting, body position, and facial expression all affect how the final portrait reads. Strong underwater portraits need clarity, not just motion.
We use professional lighting and a careful artistic approach to keep the portraits crisp enough to feel intentional while still preserving the softness that makes underwater work so appealing. That balance matters whether the session is for one person or a full family portrait.
Visual details that matter
- Fabric movement: flowing wardrobe can add shape and depth
- Body angle: simple lines often photograph more elegantly than crowded poses
- Expression: relaxed faces help the image feel calm and natural
- Color choices: coordinated tones keep the portrait clean and cohesive
These details are part of the setup, not an afterthought. When they are considered early, the session tends to feel smoother and the final gallery looks more refined.
Studio or location
Underwater photography can be shaped around a studio setting or an on-location setup, depending on the look you want and the nature of the session. Some clients want a controlled environment with a simple, polished aesthetic. Others prefer a setting that feels more open and expressive.
Lisa Whitmore Photography offers both options, which makes it easier to build a session around your goals. If you are planning portraits for children, maternity, or a creative family session, we can discuss which approach makes the most sense during your consultation.
Location planning also helps set expectations around wardrobe, timing, and movement. The more tailored the setup, the easier it is to keep the session relaxed and the final images consistent.
Preparing well
A little preparation can make a large difference in how the session feels and how the portraits turn out. Underwater sessions work best when the client knows what to bring and what to avoid.
- Choose simple wardrobe: fabrics that move well often photograph more beautifully underwater
- Keep hair and makeup intentional: the water will change texture, so plan with that movement in mind
- Practice relaxed expressions: gentle facial tension reads clearly in close portrait work
- Arrive ready for movement: the session works best when you can transition between poses with ease
- Follow the guidance given: small adjustments often make a large visual difference
We also offer personalized direction before the session so you are not guessing on the day of the shoot. That planning helps families and individuals settle in faster and make the most of their time.
Los Angeles portraits
Clients across Los Angeles, CA often want portraits that feel distinctive but still personal. Underwater photography is a strong fit for that goal because it creates a look that stands apart while still focusing on the person, not a heavy set or distracting backdrop.
Sessions are available for clients from Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Pasadena, West Hollywood, Culver City, Burbank, Glendale, Long Beach, Anaheim, Sherman Oaks, Brentwood, and Malibu, CA. If you are nearby and want a portrait session that feels artistic and guided, we can help you shape the experience around your needs.
Lisa Whitmore Photography works with children, families, and maternity clients who want portraits with a more refined visual style. Underwater work is especially effective when you want a sense of motion and stillness at the same time.
Common questions
What makes underwater portraits different?
They combine portraiture with movement, so the final image depends on expression, fabric, and water flow as much as pose.
Can children do underwater sessions?
Yes. These sessions can be planned for children with a calm pace, simple direction, and age-appropriate movement.
Do I need to know how to pose?
No. We guide the pose, timing, and movement during the session so you do not have to figure it out alone.
Is underwater photography only for creative portraits?
No. It can also be used for maternity, family, and children’s portraits when the session is planned thoughtfully.
How do I choose wardrobe?
During the consultation, we help you decide on clothing that moves well and supports the style you want.
How are final images selected?
You review the images during an ordering session, either in person or via Zoom, and choose the portraits you want to keep.
Book your session
If you are ready for underwater photography in Los Angeles, CA, Lisa Whitmore Photography can help you plan a session that feels calm, creative, and personal from beginning to end. Whether you want maternity portraits, children’s images, or a family session with a distinctive look, we will guide the process so the experience feels clear and supported.
To start planning, reach out by email at lisa@lisawhitmorephotography.com or call +13106910752. We are available Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
