Grace_underwater

Grace_underwater Award-Winning Underwater Photographer
PADI Divemaster
Private dive guide and photo coach in Palm Beach + Jupiter

A seahorse image I’ve been dreaming of all summer. I’ve visited this photogenic seahorse several times over the last few...
08/25/2026

A seahorse image I’ve been dreaming of all summer.

I’ve visited this photogenic seahorse several times over the last few months. I knew I wanted to create a close-focus wide-angle image of her, but I also knew a lot of things would have to perfectly line up.

I needed her perched in just the right spot so I could get low in the muck and shoot upward. I needed the sun in the right position above to catch those angled beams filtering through the water. And I needed the right gear to bring the image I had in my head to life.

Then on this particular early morning dive at the bridge with my EMWL in hand, fortunately, it all came together.

I often find I’m most productive when I enter the water with an image in mind rather than simply exploring to see what I can find. There’s something so satisfying about imagining a photograph before it exists—and then finally seeing all the pieces fall into place, even if it takes several dives for it to come to fruition.

I’d love to hear how everyone else approaches shooting: with spontaneous inspiration, or more intentional planning?

I’ve been getting lots of questions about the annual goliath grouper aggregation happening in Jupiter right now. Yes, th...
08/22/2026

I’ve been getting lots of questions about the annual goliath grouper aggregation happening in Jupiter right now. Yes, the massive fish are here, they arrived right on schedule in late July. And no, we have not yet reached the peak of the action! Over the next few weeks we should see more come in alongside massive schools of baitfish. I’ll be diving out here with them on our deep wrecks weekly to monitor and will share updates - but until then, here’s a few that were stacked up on the Esso Bonaire this past week.

It’s one of my favorite times of the year to dive here locally, and I hope you can join us on Kyalami Divers - Jupiter Scuba Diving & The Scuba Club for some double dip wreck dives, happening every Wednesday. We’ve been so fortunate to have excellent dive conditions for the season so far - great viz in blue water, manageable current and flat seas. I’m particularly excited to go out this upcoming week around the full moon! Who’s going to join me?

08/15/2026

Our latest Destination Portfolio, by Grace Pempek, showcases the iconic soft and hard corals of the Red Sea alongside its massive fish schools and wrecks—and friendly residents like this hawksbill.

Read the full feature on DPG --> https://uwpho.to/4pLpX6Q

One of my favorite aspects of diving in the Red Sea was all the marine life. Friendly turtles and approachable fish were...
08/15/2026

One of my favorite aspects of diving in the Red Sea was all the marine life. Friendly turtles and approachable fish were abundant on pretty much every dive, and they made for some pretty charming subjects.

Still dreaming about those Red Sea soft corals. 🩷 ❤️ 🧡
08/13/2026

Still dreaming about those Red Sea soft corals. 🩷 ❤️ 🧡

08/09/2026

A stunning coral garden photographed with a circular fisheye lens during a day trip to Bangka Island from Siladen Resort & Spa

Read Grace Pempek's trip report on Siladen --> https://uwpho.to/45s8OX2

This seahorse was so radiant, it seemed to be glowing from the inside each time my strobe light touched it. I love spend...
07/25/2026

This seahorse was so radiant, it seemed to be glowing from the inside each time my strobe light touched it. I love spending time with these amazing little animals underwater.

Portrait of a grumpy fish. The emwl is such a fun tool for shooting fish faces - and there’s no better place to practice...
07/20/2026

Portrait of a grumpy fish.

The emwl is such a fun tool for shooting fish faces - and there’s no better place to practice in South Florida than in our own backyard at Blue Heron Bridge. If you haven’t yet signed the petition to protect this local treasure from further development, please check out my link in bio and consider taking action today. If not for me, do it for the grumpy fish!

Friends, followers and my ocean family: Blue Heron Bridge needs our help - please read and consider taking action! This ...
07/19/2026

Friends, followers and my ocean family: Blue Heron Bridge needs our help - please read and consider taking action!

This was one of my very first seahorse encounters, captured with my first Olympus underwater camera setup three years ago. It may not be my strongest photograph anymore, but like so many images I’ve created at the bridge, it holds a special place in my heart.

Blue Heron Bridge is where I fell in love with underwater photography, and it’s still where I return to practice, experiment, and continue refining my craft. It’s also where countless divers, snorkelers, photographers, and ocean lovers discover just how incredible South Florida’s underwater world can be.

Places like Blue Heron Bridge remind us that we don’t have to travel halfway around the world to experience something wild and awe-inspiring. They inspire curiosity, foster a deeper appreciation for our oceans, and create lifelong advocates for marine conservation.

If Blue Heron Bridge means something to you too, I’ve linked a petition in my bio for you to review. It addresses concerns about how increased boat traffic and proposed waterfront development will affect the marine ecosystem that makes this place so extraordinary. No matter where you live in the world, if you believe places like this deserve thoughtful stewardship—I encourage you to take a few minutes to learn more about the proposal and consider signing the petition.

These underwater spaces are among South Florida’s greatest treasures. Once the health of an ecosystem is diminished, restoring it is never easy, and sometimes it’s lost forever. I hope future generations have the same opportunity to experience the wonder that so many of us have found beneath this incredible bridge. 🌊💙

Please help spread the word. https://bit.ly/saveblueheronbridge

I’m pretty sure I found the cutest little fish in the Red Sea. 🥰
07/11/2026

I’m pretty sure I found the cutest little fish in the Red Sea. 🥰

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