Inspiring Underwater Photographer: Lariza Cevallos Oganova
- tiani dun
- Nov 9
- 3 min read
Updated: Nov 10
Hi Lariza! Tell us a bit about yourself.
I’m full-time marketing strategist, mum of wonderful human and slave of a crazy but sweet rescued dog. I’m also an ocean lover, freediver, scuba diver, photographer, brand ambassador and activist.
What inspired you to first start photographing underwater?
The ocean is my first love and living in Australia for the past 20 years gifted me the chance to submerge my camera and photograph the underwater world. How lucky are we to live in this Paradise?
What inspired me to start photographing underwater was my love for animals. Since I was a teen I read all the National Geographic magazines, discovered the ocean through
Jacques Cousteau, dreamed about becoming an animal behaviourist because of David Attenborough and became a defender of animals thanks to Paul Watson, Jane Goodall and Dian Fossey.Â
Can you share one of your most memorable experiences while diving and photographing underwater? Have you faced any challenges as an underwater photographer?
Diving at 100ft/30m in Galápagos Islands with a school of hundreds of hammerheads still plays in loop in my mind! No challenges, only happiness when photographing underwater. My camera is my forever master, so I feel comfortable failing and learning everyday.
How do you stay updated on the latest techniques and technologies in underwater photography? Can you share any tips or advice for aspiring underwater photographers?
Reading, watching tutorials, digging AI and connecting with the brands I use. I also learn a lot from photographers that inspire me to be better. My biggest advise is get comfortable with your breath hold, move slow, take your time, enjoy 70%, shoot 30%. Technicalities come later, naturally.
What are your favorite locations or dive sites and why?
Lady Elliot in Australia. Galapagos in Ecuador. Both for its diversity.
Have you ever encountered any unexpected or dangerous situations while photographing underwater?
I was diving in Santa Fe island in Galapagos when a massive chunky Galapagos shark looped around me for a few seconds getting closer and closer, thought that was it for me; I was a bit far from the group like always getting side tracked looking at something…. I had the island on my left side and started to swim backwards with my eyes wide open looking at her until my tank hit a rock by pure accident as I was just trying to get out of her territory; the noise scared her and she left. Other than that, the ocean has always felt the safest place on Earth for me.Â
How do you think underwater photography can contribute to marine conservation efforts?
In every way. Photography is my favourite way to share visual stories. The more we document and connect with environmental organisations that are working hard to establish legislations that protect Nature, the better.Â
The more we can connect with others to show the underwater world, the better. The more we are a channel for others to discover the importance of protecting the ocean and its marine habitants, the better. Knowledge is the gate to kindness and activation of positive change to preserve this incredible blue planet and all the species that depend on it.
Check out some more of Lariza's work here:
Instagram: @sweetocean
Website: https://www.sweetocean.com.au/