Articles

One of Europe’s coolest and most iconic fish, the John Dory, Galicia, Spain
 

Xaime Beiro is an underwater photographer and filmmaker based in Galicia, Spain. As many an underwater photographer can relate to, Xaime’s relationship with the sea goes back as far as he can remember. He grew up by the ocean with his grandfather, who taught him how to fish, recognize the animals that lived there, and read the wind, tides, and storms.

In the last decade, underwater photography and videography have become a large part of his life, forever changing the way he views the sea. While sharks have always held a large fascination for him, photography helped open his eyes to all the fantastic beings that can be found underwater, from the smallest nudibranchs to blennies and seahorses.

While he has been fortunate enough to travel, Xaime’s portfolio is a tribute, of sorts, to his local waters. Every image featured was captured around Galicia (with one exception from Portugal, which is, after all, just down the road), providing a wonderful glimpse into the beauty and diversity in this little corner of the globe. He works to document and promote the diversity of his region of the Atlantic, highlighting species and ecosystems that rarely receive attention.

Xaime’s images and films have begun to garner international recognition in several large contests, including the DPG Masters Underwater Imaging Competition, Ocean Geographic Pictures of the Year, Siena Awards, and the San Diego UnderSea Film Festival. No doubt he will add to those accomplishments in the years to come.
 

A wonderfully graphic and symmetric European cuttlefish, Galicia, Spain
 

It is hard to beat a colorful, characterful blenny with a good hairdo! Galicia, Spain
 

A gorgeous seahorse drifts through the blackness of a night dive, Galicia, Spain
 

Blue sharks cruise the deep, open ocean waters near Pico, Azores, Portugal
 

Despite their somewhat fearsome appearance, skeleton shrimp are barely half an inch long, Vigo, Spain
 

A portrait of a colorful grunt on black, Galicia, Spain
 

A common octopus spreads its tentacles over the camera, Galicia, Spain
 

An adorable clingfish shelters in the protective spines of urchins, Galicia, Spain
 

A colorful nudibranch appears to be prepared to munch the very eggs it’s laying! Galicia, Spain
 

A stunningly colorful wrasse, likely showing off for nearby females, Spain
 

A selectively-lit triplefin warily eyes the camera, Galicia, Spain
 

A small squid, hunting shrimp and baitfish at night, Galicia, Spain
 

A spider crab ambles across the sand, Galicia, Spain
 

Looking up through a seagrass meadow, Galicia, Spain
 

To see more of Xaime’s wonderful work, please give him a follow on Instagram.