People who know me know I lead a pretty unconventional lifestyle. With an expected graduation from the University of Hawaii at Manoa in December 2014, I knew I wanted to do something different for my senior graduation pictures. I didn't want to surf with my cap and gown (because no, for those of you who are wondering, I didn't major in surfing ;), so I started concocting different ideas of what I could do to help me close up my undergraduate career in my own personal "Maggie fashion."
My good buddy and professional dive photographer Benja Iglesis had been trying to convince me to do a mermaid shoot for years. I had always thought it was a little odd, and never pulled the trigger on the idea. However, when I thought about it, what better way to end my college career with a mermaid photo shoot? It's unconventional and something I had never seen done before, yet still remains true to my own style (I'm a Padi Dive Master & I've always been told I have mermaid hair). After chatting with Benja about my idea to get a mermaid tail and matching graduation cap, we set a date of October 26, 2014 for the shoot.
I found a company that sold mermaid tails at the most reasonable price I could find. The company is called "Fin Fun." I bought the pink tail and ordered my pink graduation cap from Graduation Source. After about a week both shipments arrived at my apartment in Honolulu and it was time to get practicing.
The first day of practice took place at the pool at my apartment. Unsure of what it would feel like to have my legs completely confined swimming, I was a little nervous taking the first dip into the pool. When I finally got the tail on and jumped in the water, I was surprised how quickly I picked it up. After five minutes or so swimming back in forth in the water, the tail felt completely natural.
After practicing in the pool a few times, the next step was facing the currents of open water. I recruited good friend Saeka Tanabe and her boyfriend James to help me out at Hanuama Bay Nature Preserve. Getting the tail on while I was in the ocean proved to be quite the challenge. Saeka was holding me like a baby as I tried to force the spandex sheath over my legs and attach the mono-fin at the same time. Luckily, Saeka was a great sport and we got the tail on. Practice was a complete success and I felt ready for my upcoming shoot!
My good buddy and professional dive photographer Benja Iglesis had been trying to convince me to do a mermaid shoot for years. I had always thought it was a little odd, and never pulled the trigger on the idea. However, when I thought about it, what better way to end my college career with a mermaid photo shoot? It's unconventional and something I had never seen done before, yet still remains true to my own style (I'm a Padi Dive Master & I've always been told I have mermaid hair). After chatting with Benja about my idea to get a mermaid tail and matching graduation cap, we set a date of October 26, 2014 for the shoot.
I found a company that sold mermaid tails at the most reasonable price I could find. The company is called "Fin Fun." I bought the pink tail and ordered my pink graduation cap from Graduation Source. After about a week both shipments arrived at my apartment in Honolulu and it was time to get practicing.
The first day of practice took place at the pool at my apartment. Unsure of what it would feel like to have my legs completely confined swimming, I was a little nervous taking the first dip into the pool. When I finally got the tail on and jumped in the water, I was surprised how quickly I picked it up. After five minutes or so swimming back in forth in the water, the tail felt completely natural.
After practicing in the pool a few times, the next step was facing the currents of open water. I recruited good friend Saeka Tanabe and her boyfriend James to help me out at Hanuama Bay Nature Preserve. Getting the tail on while I was in the ocean proved to be quite the challenge. Saeka was holding me like a baby as I tried to force the spandex sheath over my legs and attach the mono-fin at the same time. Luckily, Saeka was a great sport and we got the tail on. Practice was a complete success and I felt ready for my upcoming shoot!
On October 26, my friend Taylor Roa and I jetted to Maui in preparation for the upcoming shoot. Taylor graciously accepted my invitation to come to Maui for the shoot, even though I informed him the shoot would be upwards of 5 hours and in potentially rough conditions. What a guy! Saturday was a preparation day, getting all the essentials key for a successful shoot (sunscreen, lots of snacks and tons of water!).
At 5:30a.m. on Sunday, our alarms went off. It was time to head to Kihei Boat Ramp where we were to meet Benja with the boat. We got to the ramp, quickly put the boat in the water and we were off to the first location of the day, Molokini Crater, just off the coast of Maui. Haleakala shined as the sun rose over the giant enigmatic mountain. Unlike the morning before, the ocean was moving and our boat flew over waves as we approached Molokini. We tied off to our first location named "Reef's End." Reef's End is a absolutely gorgeous dive spot. With over 100ft+ visibility and minimal currents, it is an ideal place for a photo shoot (or a nice scuba dive). Dolphins, Sharks, and even majestic Humpback whales are known to swim by this location. Once we arrived and Taylor tied us to the mooring, I got my tail on and dove in the water.
The shoot started off with a lesson from Benja. Benja taught me how to dive, place my hands and open my eyes under water. Luckily I've been a dive model for Benja since I was 11 years old, so dive photography wasn't new to me, however, mermaid diving with no tank and no mask was.
After the quick lesson we began the shoot. The shoot was a complete blast! I was getting to swim in one of the most beautiful dive locations in the world... as a mermaid! The mermaid tail is quite the workout and with all the diving, turning underwater and holding my breath, I had to take several breaks at the surface throughout the shoot. Benja is a master at dive photography and we got some amazing shots! Taylor also took some pretty incredible GoPro videos and proved to be the most perfect assistant on set! Here are a few from the first section of the shoot:
At 5:30a.m. on Sunday, our alarms went off. It was time to head to Kihei Boat Ramp where we were to meet Benja with the boat. We got to the ramp, quickly put the boat in the water and we were off to the first location of the day, Molokini Crater, just off the coast of Maui. Haleakala shined as the sun rose over the giant enigmatic mountain. Unlike the morning before, the ocean was moving and our boat flew over waves as we approached Molokini. We tied off to our first location named "Reef's End." Reef's End is a absolutely gorgeous dive spot. With over 100ft+ visibility and minimal currents, it is an ideal place for a photo shoot (or a nice scuba dive). Dolphins, Sharks, and even majestic Humpback whales are known to swim by this location. Once we arrived and Taylor tied us to the mooring, I got my tail on and dove in the water.
The shoot started off with a lesson from Benja. Benja taught me how to dive, place my hands and open my eyes under water. Luckily I've been a dive model for Benja since I was 11 years old, so dive photography wasn't new to me, however, mermaid diving with no tank and no mask was.
After the quick lesson we began the shoot. The shoot was a complete blast! I was getting to swim in one of the most beautiful dive locations in the world... as a mermaid! The mermaid tail is quite the workout and with all the diving, turning underwater and holding my breath, I had to take several breaks at the surface throughout the shoot. Benja is a master at dive photography and we got some amazing shots! Taylor also took some pretty incredible GoPro videos and proved to be the most perfect assistant on set! Here are a few from the first section of the shoot:
Next it was time for the GRADUATION PICTURES! Benja, Taylor and I were not sure how the cap would hold up underwater. I mean, it is made out of cardboard after all. We positioned ourselves over a gorgeous reef at Reef's End for the shots. My first attempt to dive underwater was a complete fail! As I dove my cap flew off my head and floated to the surface! I knew I needed to hold the cap on my head from that point on (duh right?!). I had about two successful dives with the cap! Then it completely disintegrated right before our eyes! I was worried that we didn't get any usable shots but of course Benja pulled through and the shots were a complete success! These shots prove just how amazingly talented Benja is as a photographer, I'm sure most photographers wouldn't have been able to pull off any shots with the two mediocre dives I took to the reef. Take a look!
After a pit-stop at the Backwall of Molokini for a quick snorkeling session and some additional frames, we headed to the south shore of Maui to attempt to get some footage with some green sea turtles! As we approached our second location, we saw turtles surfacing on the top of the water... we had come to the right place! We jumped in the water and Benja started shooting:
The shoot was a complete success! We had managed to get amazing footage at both Molokini with and without the graduation cap and with green sea turtles on the Maui coast! After nearly 7 hours on the water, we headed back to the boat ramp to conclude our epic adventure!
If you want to see video from the shoot check out "The Making" on YouTube here.
I would like to express a sincere thank you to my amazing team:
Photographer - Benja Iglesis
Videographer/assistant- Taylor Roa
If you want to see video from the shoot check out "The Making" on YouTube here.
I would like to express a sincere thank you to my amazing team:
Photographer - Benja Iglesis
Videographer/assistant- Taylor Roa