We all know a photoshoot is about control—the perfect lighting, striking the ideal pose, and capturing the flawless angle. But what happens when you throw in the unpredictable, chaotic element of water? The studio’s precision gives way to surrender. There’s nothing more challenging for a celebrity than an underwater shoot, where every movement requires grace, patience, and trust. Yet it’s this very challenge that creates something truly magical and otherworldly. 1. Kate Winslet, Sigourney Weaver & Zoe Saldana – Ocean Conservation Shoot In 2024, these actors participated in an underwater photoshoot led by photographer Christy Lee Rogers. They underwent extensive training to ensure safety and effectiveness. The beautiful images, which also featured Rogers' signature baroque style, were sold to benefit The Nature Conservancy's efforts to protect marine wildlife and conserve 10% of the world’s oceans by 2030. 2. Billie Eilish – “Hit Me Hard and Soft” Album Cover For the “Hit Me Hard and Soft” album cover in 2024, Billie Eilish wore full clothing and a weighted vest to submerge herself in a 10-foot-deep tank for six hours. Despite the discomfort, including the absence of a nose plug, which caused a self-waterboarding effect, Eilish emphasised her dedication to achieving her envisioned visuals. 3. Steve Haining & Ciara Antoski – Deepest Underwater Photoshoot Photographer Steve Haining and model Ciara Antoski conducted the deepest underwater model photoshoot at a depth of 163.4 feet (49.8 meters) and broke the Guinness World Record. Antoski remarkably posed without diving gear and relied completely on her breath-hold diving skills. This underwater celebrity photoshoot took place on the wreck of the Hydro Atlantic, sunk in 1987 near Boca Raton, Florida. 4. Rita Ora – Sexy Fish Restaurant Campaign Rita Ora performed in an underwater photoshoot for the launch of the Sexy Fish Restaurant in London. Ora was submerged in the tank and posed to promote the restaurant's aquatic ambience. This underwater celebrity photoshoot was conducted in a private dining room that featured the world's largest live coral reef tank. 5. Alia Bhatt Vogue Cover 2019 View this post on Instagram A post shared by VOGUE India (@vogueindia) Photographer Sumer Verma captured Alia Bhatt for the November 2019 Vogue cover at the JW Marriott Mumbai Juhu. While Alia was embracing the mermaid life, Sumer did what he does best—captured movement underwater.
