Articles

A beautiful and well-camouflaged triplefin blending into a coral head, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
 

Born and raised in the beautiful Cayman Islands, Liv grew up surrounded by the Caribbean Sea as both a playground and classroom—a rare kind of childhood, full of freedom, barefoot beach exploration and discovery, both above and below the surface. This unique upbringing instilled Liv’s deep appreciation of nature, a strong sense of independence, and a calm, rooted in the rhythm of the ocean.

As the world held its breath in 2020 due to COVID-19 and the Cayman Islands’ borders closed, Liv seized the opportunity to explore the marine world on a much deeper level. That initial dive quickly sparked something within. As a keen photographer, she found herself drawn not only to the experience itself but also to capturing it through a lens. A few foundational lessons at the well-known Cathy Church Photo Centre in Grand Cayman and Liv’s underwater photography adventure began in earnest.

In 2022, Liv was accepted onto the Marine & Natural History Photography (MNHP) course in Falmouth, UK. Joining this course significantly enhanced her technical skills and confidence in applying them. MNHP allowed Liv to explore a diverse range of camera systems and delve into specialized underwater photography techniques, expanding both her technical proficiency and creative vision. During her time in Falmouth, she has had the opportunity to work on multiple projects that have challenged and expanded her creative approach, from the chill of coldwater dives at Silver Steps to the vibrant stillness of the rock pools on Castle Beach.

What began as a curiosity has grown into a genuine passion for British waters, an ecosystem vastly different from her Caribbean roots. Liv is currently working on a project focusing on the diverse ecosystem of a single rockpool on Castle Beach, Falmouth. Over the last seven months, she has returned to this microhabitat daily, observing the subtle transformations and documenting both its regular inhabitants and unexpected visitors left behind by the tide. As she prepares to graduate this year, she is more determined than ever to build a career in visual storytelling, using her imagery to inspire awareness, appreciation, and action for the natural world.
 

A green turtle rises to the surface near a popular dive beach, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
 

A friendly Nassau grouper showing off its best side, Little Cayman, Cayman Islands
 

The wonderfully symmetrical spirals of a Christmas tree worm, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
 

A beautiful little pipefish hiding in some seaweeds, Falmouth, UK
 

A pair of mauve stinger jellies huddle up with their reflections in kelp at the surface, Falmouth, UK
 

Flamingo tongues are common but stunning Caribbean marine snails, Little Cayman, Cayman Islands
 

A healthy Caribbean reef, surrounded by bright blue waters, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
 

The mesmerizing pattern on the face of a scrawled filefish, Little Cayman, Cayman Islands
 

The goofy and puny eyes of a queen conch, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
 

The beautiful, abstract details of a Dahlia anemone, Falmouth, UK
 

The wonderful close-up details of a coral head, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
 

A circular fisheye window onto Stingray City and one of its famous residents, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
 

The adorable and aptly named “sea bunny,” a small nudibranch species from the North Atlantic, Falmouth, UK
 

A solitary gorgonian hydroid, a static relative of jellyfish, which also wields a painful sting, Little Cayman, Cayman Islands
 

To see more of Liv’s wonderful work, please give her a follow on Instagram, and visit her website, www.livbarnett.com.