Erena Shimoda is an underwater portrait photographer based in San Francisco. She was born in Tokyo, Japan, is certified as a scuba dive master, and uses her background in New Media and Fine Art to create unique compositions in different media.
Erena pioneered her underwater transformative photography program after surviving a traumatic car accident in which she lost her father and severely injured her body. As a part of her healing process, she volunteered at the American Cancer Society for the Look Good Feel Better program. Seeing cancer survivors marvel at lovely photographs of themselves again made such an impact on Shimoda that she decided to combine her interest in underwater photography with recovery. Namely, to help cancer survivors experience the healing effects of being submerged in water and feel beautiful about themselves when they see the resulting portraits.
As numerous testimonials illustrate, Shimoda’s powerful and transformative Underwater Portrait Sessions help cancer survivors rediscover their beauty, regain their confidence and self esteem, and provide an experience of transcendence.
See the YouTube Documentary...
Awards + Achievements
- Published in Sport Diver and Vice Magazine
- Featured on USA Today, CBS News, Laughing Squid, Huffington Post and more
- Genentech medical conference presentation
- Gallery art show in Tokyo, Japan
- Apple Store presentations
- Talk at Google (2019)
