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Work with Maria

Whether you're looking to book Maria for a school talk, participate in an online interview or podcast, her genuine passion and enthusiasm for the ocean, photography and what she finds shines through. She loves to share her two decades of experiences, whether that's swimming with white sharks, humpback whales, orcas or saying hi to her favourite shrimp family at her underwater home at Swanage Pier and has many images as well as interesting video clips to share.

Underwater Photography Expedition Leader

Maria is a Scuba Schools Interational (SSI) Snorkel Instructor and is completely passionate about helping guests to develop their own photography skills and has led many successful trips to Egypt with Emperor Divers, Mexico with the Nautilus Explorer Team and Raja Ampat. She has a deep knowledge of many destinations worldwide and her patience combined with her easy-to-understand techniques help guests to develop beautiful images in just a few hours. She prides herself on putting her guests photography achievements first on all her trips, putting her own camera aside to concentrate on helping them. She is a qualified First Aider and is also DBS checked.

Freelance Journalist

Aside from being featured for her own achievements, Maria has been asked to write for magazines worldwide such as the Vallarta Times in Mexico about her work for the Reef Environmental Education Foundation, Thai Airways Magazine on her trip to Raja Ampat as well as The Sunday Times to help their readership with underwater photography tips. She also wrote for Travellers Tales and numerous dive magazines as well as being a regular columnist for Sport Diver Magazine. One of her highlights whilst working with them was writing about her trip on the Nautilus Explorer diving in Alaska.

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Trip & Course Feedback

Kind Words from Guests

You came across brilliantly, a great mixture of warmth combined with being human, plus so much knowledge and experience. You explain things so well too.

From one instructor to another this was special to see. Full of passion, fun and a joy to watch. Very high skill level. Love on ya! - Launching PADI's First Ever Digital Underwater Photography Course in Egypt with Emperor Divers

A fantastic course taught with passion and enthusiasm. Even being advised on how to get the camera working has improved my pictures beyond recognition during the week.

Absolutely what a fantastic day, I can't recommend it enough. All my questions were fully answered, no matter how basic. Maria remained patient and supportive throughout and I felt safe and well prepared for the water after a thorough class instruction. Most importantly Maria created an extremely friendly welcoming environment with safety the priority. Thank you so much.

What a fantastic day with Maria. Anyone that has the patience to teach someone like myself who is hyperactive and the most impatient person ever, needs to be known about. I've left Swanage today knowing that I really want to take my underwater photography further.

Maria, you are a star! Your attention to detail during the week was unbelievable. You've simplified the book 100 times over with the added personal touch. Many thanks.

Thanks for all your enthusiasm and attention throughout the week which has helped me so much. You have an ability to put forward complex ideas into a form which is easy to understand.