Articles

An over-under image of a healthy coral reef and a rainforest above, Alor, Indonesia
 

Aaron Sanders is a UK-based underwater photographer and cinematographer working across both British and international waters. His work behind the camera spans cold-water diving at home and extended periods in tropical environments documenting a wide range of marine life and underwater landscapes. He has spent significant time working in Indonesia as an underwater videographer on liveaboards, diving extensively across the region and gaining lots of experience in some of the world’s most diverse marine environments. This combination of cold and tropical diving continues to shape his approach and perspective underwater.

Working primarily as a videographer, Aaron spends much of his time capturing moving images, but photography remains a key part of his underwater work. In his approach, he utilizes both mediums, capturing stills and video of a subject to build a broader body of work, with the two forms of media supporting one another.

More recently, his photography has gained international recognition in the Ocean Photographer of the Year, being named “Young Ocean Photographer of the Year” for 2025 as well as receiving Highly Commended in the “Conservation Hope” category. Through his work, he aims to share the beauty, diversity, and character of the ocean, from the familiar sights to the weird and wonderful.
 

An artistic take on a bigfin reef squid, Alor, Indonesia
 

A common octopus hides in the kelp, illuminated by snoot and backlight, UK
 

A sea snake patrols over a shallow reef, Alor, Indonesia
 

A little bobtail squid hangs out with its reflection at the surface, UK
 

Barrel sponges spawn, casting millions of eggs out into the ocean, Alor, Indonesia
 

A bigfin reef squid has captured a tasty prize for dinner, Alor, Indonesia
 

A long exposure of a bobtail squid as it swims through the night, UK
 

A curious gray seal strikes a pose for the camera, UK
 

A sponge and soft coral encrusted outcrop along a steep wall, Alor, Indonesia
 

A brood of soon-to-be common octopuses grows under the watchful eye of mom, UK
 

A spectacular “Rasta jellyfish” cruises through the shallows, Alor, Indonesia
 

A hawksbill turtle prepares to munch down on a meal of coral, Alor, Indonesia
 

A long exposure image of a common octopus cruising over the seabed, UK
 

A gray seal soaks up sun rays and attention, UK
 

To see more of Aaron’s wonderful underwater work, both video and stills, give him a follow on Instagram and visit his website, www.aaronsandersphotographyandfilm.com.