By: Alva Ree
Few take as daring and innovative an approach to fashion photography as Anna Sidorova. As a photographer, content creator, and co-owner of Fav Studios in London, Anna has always pushed the boundaries of creativity. But her latest venture—underwater fashion photography—is creating waves in the industry. In this conversation, Anna shares her journey, the challenges and rewards of working underwater, and how she’s redefining fashion photography by blending it with the mysterious beauty of the ocean’s depths.
Interviewer: Anna, your underwater fashion photography is simply breathtaking. How did you first come up with the idea to shoot fashion underwater?
Anna: Thank you! It started with my interest in freediving and scuba diving. I’ve always been fascinated by the ocean, and when I started diving, I realized how transformative the underwater world is. Everything is so fluid and dreamlike, from how fabric moves to how light behaves. I thought, “Why not bring fashion into this space?” I wanted to create something that felt ethereal, almost otherworldly, and underwater was the perfect environment.
Interviewer: Your underwater shoots have a magical quality. How do you think the underwater setting enhances the fashion elements?
Anna: The water adds this surreal, weightless quality to everything. Dresses that might look beautiful on land take on a whole new life underwater. They flow and move in ways that are impossible in a traditional setting. The fabric becomes part of the environment—like an extension of the water itself. The slow motion of everything and the way the models float make the scene feel like a dream. It’s fashion, but it’s also art. The underwater environment transforms the clothes into something organic, almost like the models are mermaids or spirits of the sea.
Interviewer: You often act as both the photographer and the model in your shoots. What’s it like being in front of and behind the camera underwater?
Anna: It’s a different experience from being on land. As a model, you must be very in tune with your body and the environment. You can’t control everything the way you can in a studio—the water has its rhythm, and you have to move with it. It’s challenging but also incredibly freeing. You feel weightless, and the water amplifies every movement. As the photographer, you’re capturing these moments where everything aligns—the movement of the dress, the light filtering through the water, the model’s expression. It’s a beautiful dance between control and surrender, and I love being part of both sides.
Interviewer: What are some of the biggest challenges of shooting underwater, particularly in fashion photography?
Anna: There are so many factors to consider. First, the conditions are always unpredictable. Visibility, lighting, and water temperature can change quickly, and you must adapt to them. Then there’s the technical side: underwater photography requires different equipment and techniques than in the studio. It would help if you also considered the model’s comfort and how the garments will behave underwater. Some fabrics float beautifully, while others don’t work as well. It’s all about experimenting and finding that perfect balance.
Interviewer: Speaking of the garments, what goes into selecting the dresses and fabrics for an underwater shoot?
Anna: The choice of dress is crucial. Light-flowing fabrics work best because they create that underwater magical, fluid effect. Chiffon, silk, and tulle are perfect—they float and swirl around the model, creating beautiful shapes. I often choose gowns with long trains or dramatic silhouettes because they look stunning when interacting with the water. The water turns the dress into a living, breathing thing. Each shoot feels like creating a fairytale underwater—elegant yet mysterious.
Interviewer: Your use of natural light underwater is also incredible. How does the underwater environment influence the way you work with light?
Anna Sidorova: Underwater lighting is entirely different from studio lighting. The way it refracts through the water creates these beautiful, organic patterns and highlights. It’s softer and more diffused, which adds to that dreamlike quality I’m after. But it’s also tricky because you can’t control it as easily. I must be constantly aware of the sun’s position and interaction with the water. Sometimes, the light will create these fantastic, unexpected effects, and that’s when the magic happens.
Interviewer: Do you think underwater fashion photography is the industry’s future? It feels like you’re pioneering something new.
Anna: I’d like to think so! Underwater fashion photography is still a niche, but it’s gaining attention. The visuals are so different from anything you can capture on land—it’s like stepping into a whole new world. I think designers and brands have a lot of potential to use underwater shoots to tell unique stories. Fashion photography has always been about pushing boundaries; I believe this is a fresh way to do that. It’s not just about showing the clothes—it’s about creating an experience, a feeling. Underwater, everything is amplified, and I think the fashion world is responding to that.
Interviewer: You mentioned earlier that your work blurs the line between fashion and fine art. How important is storytelling in your underwater shoots?
Anna: Storytelling is at the heart of everything I do, whether in the studio or underwater. With underwater shoots, the environment allows for a new narrative. There’s a fantasy element—models become these otherworldly beings, and the dresses almost look alive, like they’re part of the water. Each shoot feels like a little story, a moment frozen in time. I want people to look at the images and feel like they’re being transported into a dream. It’s not just about the fashion—it’s about the emotion and the story behind it.
Interviewer: What’s next for you? Do you plan to expand your underwater photography or explore other creative avenues?
Anna: will keep pushing the boundaries with underwater fashion photography. There’s so much more to explore in that space. I’m excited to experiment with different fabrics, lighting conditions, and underwater environments. Beyond that, I want to continue blending art and technology, like integrating AI into my post-production process. The endless possibilities excite me the most—there’s always something new to discover.
Interviewer: Anna, your work is truly captivating, and it’s clear that you’re at the forefront of something special in the fashion photography world. Thank you so much for sharing your journey with us today.
Anna: Thank you! It’s been a pleasure, and I can’t wait to see where this journey takes me next.
Published by: Nelly Chavez
