Articles

A Caribbean reef shark comes up to inspect the camera at the surface, Cuba
 

Splitting time between home bases in Los Angeles and Catalina Island, California, underwater cinematographer, photographer, and explorer Steven Lopez has built his career around revealing the fascinating, interconnected worlds beneath the surface. He chases those fleeting moments when light, movement, and behavior align to illuminate the ocean’s beauty and vitality. Steven’s work aims to connect people to the sea and inspire them to protect it through creative storytelling.

Steven is the co-founder and cinematographer of Explorers Photography, which he runs with his partner, Dr Carmen Obied. Together, they focus on fine art and documentary storytelling centered on marine life and underwater environments. Their projects span the globe, from the kelp forests of California to the icy waters of Antarctica to the Amazon rainforest, capturing the subtle relationships that define each ecosystem.

Steven’s cinematic and photographic work has been featured through collaborations with the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, the Honor Frost Foundation, Blue Green Expeditions, and exhibited at The Artists Gallery (TAG) in Los Angeles. Across every project, his goal is to create imagery that feels alive and helps people see the ocean as more than a distant world. Through Explorers Photography, Steven continues to bridge art, science, and exploration—using the lens not just as a creative tool but as a means to deepen understanding of the vital ecosystems that sustain our planet.
 

A swirly version of a giant sea bass, a kelp forest iconic, California, USA
 

Sunbeams slice through the kelp forest off Catalina Island, California, USA
 

A diver explores along a massive iceberg, Antarctica
 

Antarctica’s most charismatic predator strikes a pose for the camera, Antarctica
 

A friendly California sea lion comes up to inspect its reflection in the dome, California, USA
 

A reef shark silhouetted against the Caribbean sun, Cuba
 

A diver hangs out with a massive giant sea bass in the kelp, California, USA
 

Life thrives in the sunlit shallows of the kelp forests, California, USA
 

Silky sharks in the dark, hanging out with their reflections, Cuba
 

A leopard seal and photographer face to face in frigid waters, Antarctica
 

An aptly named sea angel cruises through the blue, Antarctica
 

To see more of Steven’s underwater work, please give him a follow on Instagram and visit his website, www.explorersphotography.com.