Today we’d like to introduce you to Steven Lopez & Carmen Obied (Explorers Photography).
Hi Steven Lopez & Carmen Obied, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
A Vision Born Underwater
Our story starts underwater—literally. We met in the Mediterranean during an underwater archaeology project in Zadar, Croatia. Long days diving and in the field, followed by evenings swapping stories by the sea organ along the Adriatic Sea, quickly made it clear that we shared more than just a job site—we shared a passion for the ocean and the stories it holds and so our lives intertwined. That connection grew into a journey that’s taken us across the world together, blending science, art, technology, and underwater exploration in ways we never expected.
Now based in Los Angeles, we co-founded Explorers Photography as an extension of our shared love for the ocean and passion for storytelling. It began as an idea—to merge our scientific backgrounds with our creative pursuits and show the world the beauty and fragility of underwater environments. From the warm waters of the Mediterranean to the icy landscapes of Antarctica, each experience deepened our connection to the ocean. With over 15 years of experience in underwater environments, both academically and professionally, we aim to inspire others to see the ocean not just as a vast expanse, but as a world filled with life and meaning holding countless stories waiting to be told through ocean exploration, cinematography, and conservation.
To us, the oceans are nature’s portals – a space where we explore, learn, feel connected to the wonders of the underwater world … a reminder that this planet is resilient and worth protecting.
About the Founders
Steven Lopez, MSc, and Carmen Obied, PhD, are the co-founders of Explorers Photography, blending their expertise in underwater photography, cinematography, and multidisciplinary scientific research to bring the vastly unexplored world beneath the surface to life. As certified AAUS Scientific Divers and technical divers, they have spent over a decade exploring and documenting some of the planet’s most extreme underwater environments. Their backgrounds in maritime archaeology add a rich historical and scientific depth to their work and storytelling, taking them from ancient shipwrecks in the Mediterranean to the vibrant wildlife of the Amazon, the towering kelp forests of California, and the icy waters of Antarctica.
Carmen Obied
Carmen’s journey is shaped by her multicultural roots—born in Seville, raised in Lisbon and London, with Spanish, Egyptian, and Scottish heritage. Carmen grew up immersed underwater and seeking adventure, which eventually awoke her curiosity for the ancient maritime world and its cultural stories. She brings this blend of perspectives to her work as an ocean explorer, technical diver (TDI Normoxic Trimix) , and cinematographer. With a PhD in Maritime Archaeology, she’s spent years mapping ancient maritime landscapes, creating 3D photogrammetric models, and uncovering shipwrecks, from the Red Sea and Mediterranean to the polar regions. Her mix of technical expertise and creative drive has led her to partner with institutions like the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County and Honor Frost Foundation, while also featuring in publications like Vogue, Cayman Islands Tourism, Conde Nast, and Surfgirl Magazine as a high fashion/underwater model. She has a deep passion for the underwater world and is an advocate for women in STEM.
Steven Lopez
Steven’s work sits at the intersection of underwater exploration, photography, and technology. He is a certified technical diver (TDI Normoxic Trimix) with a master’s degree in maritime archaeology and a background in data science from MIT. He’s developed tools for precision gas planning in technical diving while creating 3D photogrammetric models of underwater sites. From capturing the vibrant life in Catalina’s kelp forests to leading workshops for the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County and expeditions to the polar regions, Steven’s passion for blending science and storytelling keeps him pushing boundaries. His work has been featured in galleries across Los Angeles and collaborations with global organizations have fueled his mission to inspire ocean conservation. Steven is a recognized artist currently on display at TAG (The Artist Gallery) in Los Angeles, showcasing his underwater fine art.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Diving ; Gear Challenges
Every mission demands meticulous preparation, a single two-hour dive can take days of preparation. By the time we’re geared up, we’re carrying over 100 pounds of equipment, each piece with its own potential points of failure. It’s our responsibility to ensure that every regulator breathes smoothly, every drysuit seal holds, all tanks are within vis and hydrostatic test standards, and every light and canister is charged or has fresh batteries.
Beyond the gear, diving itself is both a technical and physical challenge. The human body isn’t built for the underwater world, especially at extreme depths. Technical diving demands precise gas planning—not just for our own survival, but to ensure we have enough to assist our dive partners in an emergency. When you work at deeper depths for longer period of time, a direct ascent to the surface isn’t an option; every problem must be solved underwater, in real time.
As we descend past 100 feet, nitrogen narcosis becomes a real concern, impairing judgment and coordination. To counteract its effects, we blend Helium into our breathing gas. Additionally, during ascent, we switch between different oxygen-rich gas mixtures (which we carry with us) to accelerate nitrogen offloading, allowing for a faster and safer return to the surface compared to breathing standard air (21% oxygen). Lastly, the deeper we go, the colder it gets. Instead of air, we use Argon in our drysuits to improve insulation and retain body heat, helping us stay warm in the frigid depths.
Underwater Photography & Cinematography Challenges
Then, there’s the challenge of the photography and/or cinematography itself. Professional underwater camera systems are heavy and complex, requiring lots of preparation before ever entering the water. One misplaced O-ring or minor seal failure can flood a housing and destroy thousands of dollar worth of equipment. Then, once submerged a new set of challenges emerges—water absorbs light, stripping away reds and oranges first, leaving only blues and greens. In order to shoot professional quality video that illuminates the beautiful color of the underwater world, we must diligently balance exposures from artificial lighting and adjust white balance settings constantly to ensure colors are true and vibrant!
Every so often though, the element of surprise is real! Sometimes in photography, no matter how well you prepare, you only get a split second to capture the moment. If your strobes weren’t perfectly positioned or your exposure wasn’t dialed in, you’ll find your once-in-a-lifetime shot clouded with backscatter—floating particles illuminated by your own lights. That’s where post-production tools like the Backscatter Exterminator (BSXT) by GoAskErin come in, helping clean up the image so viewers can focus on the subject rather than the noise in the water. It’s one of our go-to tools for making sure our final images are as powerful as the experience itself in such scenarios. If you’re shooting video in a fast-paced moment like this without proper white balance, it can easily ruin the shot. Even a slight shift can push your footage too blue or green, and while post-correction is possible, it’s far more challenging than in photography.
When everything comes together—the dive, the camera, the lighting, the conditions—and you know you’ve captured something truly special, it’s one of the most rewarding feelings imaginable. It’s a moment of connection between you and the underwater world, and the best part is getting to share that story with others.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Underwater Archaeology
At Explorers Photography, we are dedicated to uncovering and sharing the hidden stories of the ocean’s most extreme, remote, and historically rich environments. From ancient Mediterranean shipwrecks and polar icebergs, to Amazon rainforests and California’s iconic kelp forests, we combine our expertise as technical divers, archaeologists, and visual storytellers to bring these places to life through photography, cinematography, and cutting-edge imaging techniques.
Our work spans a diverse range of projects, from documenting polar expeditions to developing advanced photogrammetry and GIS mapping for institutions such as the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County and the Honor Frost Foundation (HFF). In Cyprus, we have spent multiple seasons in collaboration with HFF contributing to the study of ancient underwater sites, recording Roman shipwrecks, mapping anchorages, and capturing high-resolution photogrammetry of seafloors dense with artifacts and wreckage, with our footage also published on Forces News.
Beyond archaeology, our projects extend into ocean advocacy, conservation, and scientific exploration. We have led photography, cinematography, and photogrammetry initiatives for organizations, including the University of Southampton, Honor Frost Foundation, BleuWorld.org, DiverSeaFy.org and others, using visual storytelling to bridge the gap between science and public engagement. Locally, our partnership with BleuWorld.org, has been invaluable in integrating professional imagemaking and cinematography to propel scientific initiatives around Catalina Island. In 2024, our partnership included detailed images and video footage of multiple ongoing scientific surveys as well as documentation for 4,176 lbs of debris removed from the ocean during cleanups.
We also collaborate with several trusted organizations that help keep us in the water doing our best quality work. Our friends and partners at Catalina Divers Supply have an unmatched understanding of the island and its marine life. Their partnership and local insight have been key to helping us dive safely and meaningfully in these waters. Similarly, Backscatter Underwater Video and Photo has been an invaluable ally, always making sure our camera gear is dialed in and dependable. Thanks to their expertise, we never have to think twice about whether our equipment is up to the task.
Our fine art photography, which brings these underwater worlds to the surface, is currently exhibited at TAG (The Artist Gallery) in Los Angeles—inviting audiences to explore and connect with the ocean’s past, present, and future.
Fine Art & Visual Storytelling
Beyond our scientific and cinematographic work, we curate fine art exhibitions and cinematic short films in partnership with galleries such as TAG Gallery in Los Angeles, where we showcase vibrant underwater imagery that sparks curiosity and deepens engagement with the natural world. Our work takes us to some of the planet’s most extreme and remote environments—from capturing the raw power of leopard seals in Antarctica to the quiet majesty of polar bears in the Arctic. Every image is the result of a purpose-driven mission, often requiring weeks, months, or even years of preparation to bring to life. Through these carefully crafted visuals, we aim to transform our firsthand experiences into an educational resource, inspiring a greater appreciation for our ocean and why its protection matters.
In addition to highlighting marine life and fragile ecosystems, we strive to showcase the craft and complexities inherent in underwater photography, cinematography, and diving—immersing audiences in what it’s like to explore and document these beautifully captivating, yet challenging ever-changing environments. Our fine art prints are available on a variety of premium materials, including glass, aluminum, and archival fine art paper, ensuring that each piece preserves the impact and emotion of the underwater world.
Any big plans?
As we move ahead, we’re excited to deepen our focus on polar expeditions and expand collaborations with research institutions and conservation groups. We’ll continue hosting workshops in underwater photogrammetry and helping others get involved in protecting our marine environment, while preparing for our next upcoming Arctic and Antarctic polar diving expeditions documenting ocean exploration. On the artistic front, we’re looking forward to more fine art exhibitions at TAG Gallery and exploring new ways to combine visual storytelling with scientific research. Whether it’s through local beach cleanups or leading tech diving trips, our goal remains the same: to inspire curiosity, foster connection, and advocate for our planet’s most fragile ecosystems.
Join Us on Our Adventures:
Arctic Expedition: August 16–30, 2025, where you’ll experience breathtaking ice fjords, polar wildlife (polar bears, walrus, narwhals, belugas, and more), and the thrill of diving in some of the world’s most extreme environments.
Antarctic Expedition: January 1–22, 2026, offering the rare opportunity to explore pristine polar waters and wildlife (penguins, leopard seals, whales, and more), photograph untouched landscapes, and contribute to ongoing citizen science projects.
Whether you’re a photographer, diver, scientist, or just an adventurous soul, these trips offer a unique blend of adventure and conservation.
If you’re closer to home, come diving with us on Catalina Island (technical or recreational)! Join us for a day on the Scuba Cat dive boat with Catalina Divers Supply, exploring local marine life and California’s iconic kelp forests.
We’ll also be showcasing our work throughout 2025 at TAG Gallery in Los Angeles, with a special half-solo exhibit from November 26 – December 19, 2025.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.explorersphotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/explorersphotography
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/explorersphotographyUW
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/explorersphotography
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@explorersphotography
- Yelp: www.explorersphotography.com/trips
- Other: https://www.linktr.ee/explorersphotography
Image Credits
Profile Image by Becky Kagan Schott (www.liquidproductions.com)
Vogue Italia Model Photo of Carmen by Cheng Han (www.cheng-han.com)
All Other Images by Explorers Photography (www.explorersphotography.com)
