At the end of 2007 while enjoying ‘days off’ from his position as an engineer in the oilfield services, Jacques de Vos was inspired by his scuba instructor (also a talented underwater photographer) to purchase his first underwater compact camera and Ikelite housing. Since then he has qualified as a SCUBA instructor and Commercial Diver, and has upgraded through numerous camera systems. He now shoots both stills and video and has developed the skill set to do all of this without the aid of SCUBA.
Jacques enjoys the rewards of a lifestyle where he works as a fulltime underwater photographer / cameraman. He is also a Freediving Instructor Trainer with the world renowned Freedive International. Completely self-taught, Jacques has won several prestigious international UW photography awards; his photography has been published worldwide in several books and publications, and he now also works as a camera operator on projects for companies like the BBC and Red Bull. Jacques’ favorite subject to shoot underwater is big marine life with a preference to shoot wide angle (sharks, whales, dolphins and freedivers). A relentless pursuit of this subject matter has finally fulfilled a lifetime dream of getting up close and personal with his favorite animal, the Killer Whale.
In terms of equipment Jacques has changed cameras a few times, but has been using Ikelite housings exclusively for all of them. All his work is done while freediving (on a single breath) and he has come to trust Ikelite products, based on reliable service from five different Ikelite rigs over a period of six years.
Awards + Achievements
- Winner - Gold 2012 Our World Underwater
- Winner - 2012 DRT Underwater Photography Competition (Wide Angle)
- Winner - 4th Place Best Of Photography 2012 (Serbin, Sigma, Photographers Forum)
