About Becky Kagan Schott

Becky has always been attracted to water, but her curiosity about what lay beneath the waves became an obsession from a young age. She always knew documenting the underwater world is what she wanted to do. Becky is a 5 time Emmy-Award winning underwater cameraman, photographer and technical Diving Instructor whose work can be seen on major networks including National Geographic, Discovery Channel, and The Travel Channel. She specializes in bringing back video from challenging aquatic environments from filming in caves, under ice, shipwrecks to sharks. Becky has over 23 years of diving experience logging thousands of hours underwater allowing her to be comfortable in a variety of environments. Filming underwater can be challenging and dangerous to divers with little experience in technical environments. Her decades of training and experience means she is comfortable, safe, and can work with a team to produce a stunning product.

Her projects have taken her all over the world from the Arctic to Antarctic and many exciting locations in between. Her biggest passion is capturing haunting images of shipwrecks in the Great Lakes. She combines her artistic style with powerful stories of tragedy, mystery and survival to ignite the viewers imagination

Becky enjoys diving in each of the Great Lakes and has participated in projects helping to document shipwrecks in 3D twice for the National Park Service in Isle Royale National Park.  She has also participated in several exploration projects searching for new wrecks in Lake Huron and Lake Michigan. In 2011 she was worked with NOAA on a documentary called “Project Shiphunt” searching for shipwrecks with a group of high school students. They found the Schooner M.F. MERRICK lost in 1889 and ETURA in over 300 feet of icy cold water off of Presque Isle Michigan. Becky was one of the first divers on both wrecks to film the exploration. The dives were cold, deep and very challenging. The use of Closed Circuit Rebreathers, mixed gases and experienced safety team were used to conduct the dives.  In June of 2015 Becky was invited to assist in the exploration of the Alice E. Wilds found by Shipwreck Explorers off of Milwaukee Michigan. The wreck also sits in over 300 feet of water. Becky’s passion for the Great Lakes has only grown fiercer in the past few years and visiting more incredible sites and capturing hauntingly beautiful imagery on these preserved wrecks. 

Becky has also participated in several other expeditions diving a virgin wreck in a remote area of Japan with Wreck Diving Magazine, and documenting deep sea mounts off the coast of Brazil for Pangaea Exploration. She helped shoot 3D video of Benedict Arnolds gunboat SPITFIRE in Lake Champlain for the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum in 2010. She filmed the exploration of Weeki Wachee Cave system in 2009 in over 300ft of water, and shot the Phantom Springs Cave Exploration Project in Texas in 2012. Her background in cave diving has lead to underwater director of photography jobs with National Geographic, BBC and RED BULL over the years and she’s earned a reputation for being able to capture footage in these tough, dark, and dangerous places. She’s worked with archeologists in Mexico documenting Mayan remains in sacred cenotes. She’s participated in projects with NOAA on the USS Monitor, the B-29 Bomber in Lake Mead, and WWII wrecks in Truk lagoon. Not only has she done with the National Park Service and NOAA but she worked closely with Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution’s AVIL lab for several years, She's worked with Archeologists and delicately diving historical shipwrecks  along with documenting changes over time and telling their stories through powerful imagery.

 Becky has a degree in Journalism from the University of Tampa and started her career in Broadcast news with CBS and FOX covering everything from the presidential election in 2008 to major hurricanes in Florida. That photojournalism background has stayed with her and storytelling is in her blood. She actively writes for 4-5 Dive Magazines and contributes to several international publications. Her images have also been used in Museums, Shows, several books and educational materials. Her photography was  featured in Blancpain's Fifty Fathoms Edition 2018 as one of 5 chosen photographers. .

Becky has been actively diving for 23 years, 19 of which have been technical diving starting in caves when she was 16 years old living in Florida. She began diving closed circuit rebreathers in 2007 and currently is a technical diving instructor through TDI for the Megalodon Rebreather teaching through trimix. Becky is a sought after presenter at dive conferences and has presented in England, Poland, Canada, Australia, Singapore, Slovenia and all over the USA on her work and adventures.  She is a Fellow in the Explorers Club and in 2013 she was inducted into the Women Divers Hall of Fame.  

•  Discovery Channel Canada Daily Planet : Season 23 Ep25 Aired on Oct 19^th, 2017. Feature segment on my Great Lakes Photography. http://www.discovery.ca/Shows/Daily-Planet/video?vid=1231569

• Great Lakes Echo -  http://greatlakesecho.org/2017/08/11/underwater-photographer-captures-forgotten-stories-beneath-great-lakes/

• Discovery Channel Underwater Director of Photography for “Billion Dollar Oyster Project” 4k

• Pure Imagination Studios National Geographic 360-degree theater project. British Columbia. Underwater Cameraman shot to obtain both 6k footage of sea lions, giant pacific octopus and wolf eels.

• National Geographic Underwater AC / Lighting “One Strange Rock” shot in Abaco and Andros Bahamas.

• Sedna Arctic Expedition Underwater & Topside Cameraman - 5 educational web outreach videos in Iqaluit Canada shooting under ice, ROV’s, and marine critter collections for touch tanks.

• NBC TODAY SHOW / NBC NATIONAL : Underwater Cameraman “Underwater Live shots with 20+ Bull Sharks” Unique shoot doing multiple live hits in 6ft seas offshore in Florida covering Great White shark sightings. Several national packages aired as well. 

• FLEX SEAL :  Underwater Cameraman “Flexeal Color commercial” Turned a 1940’s classic truck into a submarine in Blue Grotto, FL

• TRAVEL CHANNEL :  Underwater Director of Photography “America the Beautiful” Underwater Caves of Florida. MacGillivray Freeman Films 

• TRAVEL CHANNEL :   Underwater Cinematographer “America the Beautiful” Civil War Wreck 1x60  MacGillivray Freeman Films
• RED BULL MEDIA HOUSE : Underwater Director of Photography: "The Crystal Labyrinth" EPIC DRAGON 6K production Bahamas Caves 1x60 -2014

• BELIZE DIVING SERVICES :  Underwater Director & Cameraman for 10 web commercials advertising technical diving in Belize. 

• VICE MEDIA : The Creators Project: Underwater Cameraman "Underwater Sculpture Garden" Bahamas 2014 (Watch Now)
• TRAVEL CHANNEL : Underwater Cameraman "World Access" Bonne Terre Mine 1x60min -2014
• SEDNA EXPEDITION : Principal Underwater Cameraman filming Arctic Expedition in and around ice bergs - in -1C water. 
• CBS : Underwater Director of Photography "Cave Diving: Beyond the Limit" 30-min Special **Winner of 4 NATAS EMMY AWARDS in 2014** (Watch Now)
• THE WEATHER CHANNEL : Underwater Cameraman "Catching Hell" 10 x 60min episodes - 2013 (Watch Now)
• DURACELL  : Underwater Director of Photography "Quantum Heros Diver Rescue” web commercial - 2013 (Watch Now)
• BBC : Director of Underwater Photography "Cloud Lab" 1x60i - 2013/14
• ANIMAL PLANET : Underwater Director of Photography "Underworld" Scared Mexico caves -2013
• NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC : Underwater Director of Photography/ 2nd Topside Camera "Maya Underworld" - 2012 (Watch Now)
• DISCOVERY CHANNEL : Underwater Cameraman “Bering Sea Gold: Under the Ice” 5 episodes - 2012
• NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC & NOAA : Underwater 3D cameraman & Photographer "Hitlers Secret Attack on America" North Carolina 1x60
• SKY TV : 3D Camera Operator “TITANIC: 100 Years in 3D” Woods Hole Productions -2012
• Lake Champlaign Maritime Museum : Underwater lighting & Support Diver; Documenting historic revolutionary war shipwrecks. Woods Hole Productions -2011
• SPEEDO : Photography Dive Team / lighting / Safety; AND Productions - Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps. -2011
• Tiburones de Mexico : Underwater DP : Documentary series on Great Whites, Tiger & Bull sharks. 2011-12
• CURRENT TV : Underwater Photographer/3D cameraman "Project Shiphunt" 1x 60 NOAA & Woods Hole Productions & Radical Media 8/2011 (Watch Now)
• 3NET : Underwater lighting director & model for Abaco crystal caves 3D shoot; Woods Hole Productions -2011
• 3NET : Underwater 3D cameraman & DP for Bimini Shark, and Coral Reef shoot; Woods Hole Productions -2011
• 3NET 3D : cameraman, Lighting & model: Humpback Whales & Caves of Dominican Republic; Woods Hole Productions- 2011
• WOODS HOLE OCEANOGRAPHIC INSTUTION : 3D Camera operator " Titanic Expedition 2010" St. John's Newfoundland 2010
• NHK : In-Air Stereography, 3D inside of deep sea submersible Alvin; Woods Hole Productions 2010
• CBS : Underwater Videographer, Rare look into Eagles Nest Cave, Feature HD story, 2010 *** 2011 Emmy Award Winner & RTDNA Edward R. Murrow Award 2011 ***
• NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC : Underwater Cameraman, "Journey to an Alian Moon" 1x60 -2009
• NAT GEO WILD : Underwater Cameraman, "Amazing" Hand feeding Tiger Shark segment Bahamas 2010
• NBC Today Show : Underwater Videographer; Tourists with Tiger Sharks Bahamas -2009
• National Park Service : Underwater Videographer / Lighting; “Wonders of our National Parks” 2008-2011 (Dry Tortugas National Park, Isle Royale, and Lake Mead)
• National Geographic : Additional Camera “Worlds Toughest Fixes” Episode 4 Cruise ship engine.- 2008
• National Park Service : Underwater Videographer; Documented a B-29 Superfortress Bomber in HD & 3D in Lake Mead visitor center educational film 2008
• DISCOVERY SCIENCE : Underwater Cameraman / 2nd Camera Topside “Quest For Sunken Warships” Operation Hailstone, Truk Lagoon 2007 & The Mighty Oriskany 2x60 -2007

• 2018 Sport Diver Magazines 100 Best (Belize, Cedarville, Norman wrecks).

• 2017 InfoSuperior Podcast http://infosuperior.com/blog/2017/10/02/podcastphotos-gunilda-great-lakes-deep-diving-pinnacle/

• 2017 DIVER Mag: Interview with Jim Standing : Fourth Element

• 2017 Sport Diver Magazine – Dutch Springs 2-page Feature

• 2017 Scuba Diving Magazine – Shooting Stars top 5 Favorite photographers

• 2017 Cover Scuba Diver Mag UK – Norman

• 2017 Scuba Diver UK Mag – Interview & Images pages 78-82

• 2017 DIVER Cover July 2017 Poor Knights Islands NZ

• 2017 Asian Geographic 360 Interview

• 2017 Wreck Diving Magazine Aug issue Daniel J. Morrell article

• 2017 XRay Magazine – Presque Isle Wrecks & Milwaukee Wrecks & Cover.

• 2017 Federation Magazine Great Lakes Article (Germamy)

• 2017 Scuba Diving Magazine Dutch springs

• 2017 Scuba Diving Magazine Cover  (Cave diver)

• 2017 Alert Diver “Dutch Springs”

• 2016 Cover Federation Magazine (Germany) & feature inside

• 2016 DIVER Magazine “Daniel J. Morrell” Article

• 2016 DIVER Magazine “Bucket List”

• 2016 Diver Magazine Cover “Top 10 Snorkeling Destinations”

• Wreck Diving Magazine - Issue #38 - Cover Image and Article on Photographing Presque Isle Shipwrecks

• Diver Medic - Cover Image February 2016 Issue
• DIVER Magazine - 2 page spread about Crystal River Manatees Volume 40
• Alert Diver Magazine - Images used in 2 articles in Spring 2015 Issue 
• Scuba Diving Magazine – Contributing photographer for “Side mount cave diving in the Dominican Republic” 2014 (link)
• Mar Alliance – Still photos to document shark tagging and research
• Birds Underwater Dive Center – Website images (link)
• DIVER Magazine - Cover shot of Becky By David Schott Article by Michael Meduno volume 38 issue 2
• Light Monkey - Product Photo shoot for web, tradeshow booths, brochures, and marketing materials.
• Fourth Element – Product Photo shoot
• DiveRite - Product Photo shoot
• Santi Diving Equipment - Product Photo shoot
• InnerSpace Systems Corp – Photos used for web and tradeshow booths
• Hammerhead CCR - Product Photo shoot for web, tradeshow booths, brochures, and marketing materials.
• Quest - Journal of Global Underwater Explorers - Vol. 13, No.2 Cover shot & Contributing Author & Images "The Right Camera for the Job" 5/2012
• Wreck Diving Magazine - Issue #26 Images published in "Project Shiphunt" article 2/2012
• Wreck Diving Magazine - Issue #26 Images published "Sworn to Secrecy" Japan wreck Expedition 2/2012
• National Geographic – "Dancing with Dolphins" Image published November 2011
• EK Productions - Underwater still photographer for piece on the famous U-869 wreck off NJ -2011
• Florida’s Eden Pure Water Wilderness Scenic Guide Water Awareness Campaign 2009 - 6 images published
• Woods Hole Productions - Underwater Photo Shot of AUV/ROV Nereus in Grand Cayman -2009
• Advanced Diver Magazine - Tiger Shark Article & Images "Tiger Beach" Issue #31 & Issue #32 2009
• Cave Diving Articles & Opinions Book by Jill Heinerth - Several underwater cave images published -2009
• Advanced Diver Magazine - Featured underwater photographer (issue #25)
• MidWest Airlines - Magazine advertisment 8/2007

• 2014 - 4 NATAS Emmy Awards for "Cave Diving: Beyond the Limit Special" Technical Achievement, PromoTrailer.
• 2011 - 1 NATAS Emmy Award for Eagles Nest Cave story
• 2011 - RTDNA Edward R. Murrow Award for Excellence in Journalism
• 2011 - National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest winner (published in Nov/Dec 2011 Issue)
• 2011 - Dive Photo Guide Photo Contest winner for Freshwater
• 2011 - Dive Rite Photo Contest 2nd place
• 2011 - Kodak Photo of the month of June -worldwide contest
• 2010 - Dive Rite Photo Contest 2nd place
• 2009 - Kodak Photo of the month of November - worldwide contest
• 2006 - UnderwaterPhotography.com Bronze medal winner in Diver Category. Worldwide photography competition
• 2005 - Florida AP Award for "Best Spot News"

Not only is Becky a professional diver but she can also teach your talent and crew to dive or act as a divemaster. As an active Instructor since 2000 she’s introduced many individuals the the underwater world. For better shooting results and longer bottom times she uses and teaches rebreather technology. Along with the use of Nitrox and Tri-mix gasses for dives in the 150 ft - 400 foot technical diving depths. See all certifications below.

• Scuba Instructor SDI / TDI #19409
• Scuba Instructor NAUI #35708
• Nitrox & Technical Nitrox Instructor
• Rebreather Instructor (Megaolodon & Pathfinder units)
• Trimix CCR Instructor 
• Divemaster
• Full Cave Diver since 2000
• Tri-mix
• Closed Circuit Rebreather – Megalodon
• Closed Circuit Rebreather – Evolution
• Closed Circuit Rebreather - KISS
• Closed Circuit Rebreather - Pathfinder
• Advanced Rescue & CPR
• Full Face Mask underwater communications
• Side mount
• Mixed Gas Blender
• Ice diving certified
• Advanced Mixed gas CCR