As a passionate wildlife photographer from the Pacific Northwest, I'm always seeking new and exciting ways to capture unique images. Low-angle photography immediately captivated me, and I knew I had to find a way to achieve those perspectives.

My quest began with short tripods and ground pods, often involving laying in the mud. While mirrorless cameras made this somewhat easier, tracking moving subjects remained a significant challenge. I began experimenting with a device that could hold my camera on the water. My first attempt was a wooden frame with Pex plumbing lines for poles and camouflage draped over me. This marked the beginning of my aquatic photography journey. While the wood was heavy and cumbersome, I captured some fantastic shots.

Next, I built a rigid foam model with a thin plywood skin. This was lighter and more maneuverable. However, to achieve truly low angles, waders weren't sufficient. An inexpensive dry suit allowed me to enter deeper water and even lose contact with the bottom. Adding flippers opened up a whole new world of possibilities, enabling me to shoot from anywhere in the lake.

My natural buoyancy, enhanced by the dry suit, meant the float only needed to support the weight of the camera and a small portion of my own weight. The remaining issue was the size of the float. It was too large to fit in a car trunk or as carry-on luggage. An inflatable design seemed like the answer, but I worried that pontoons wouldn't provide a stable shooting platform when suspended in the water.

The solution was right in front of me: inflatable paddle boards. They are thin and rigid, but the standard shape wasn't ideal. Fortunately, I discovered that custom shapes could be created, and that's exactly what I did.

Join me in this exciting world of aquatic photography!