Becky Kagan Schott
Underwater Photographer / Cinematographer /Photogrammetrist /Tech Instructor
Biography
Becky is a 5 time Emmy-Award winning underwater cameraman and photographer whose work can be seen on major networks including National Geographic, Discovery Channel, and the Smithsonian Channel. She is co-owner of Liquid Productions, Inc, specializing in capturing images in extreme underwater environments from caves, under ice, deep shipwrecks and wildlife. Her projects have taken her all over the world from the Arctic to Antarctic and many exciting locations in between. Recently Becky organized and lead a successful expedition to be one of only a handful of people to ever dive inside a Glacier in Alaska.
Her biggest passion is shooting 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. water. She’s constantly pushing the limits of technology and trying new creative techniques to capture the beauty of the underwater world. In the past few years she’s also been working on producing high quality 3D photogrammetry models which showcases shipwrecks in a new way to divers and non-divers and bring those shipwrecks to life. In March 2023 she opened an exhibit at the Wisconsin Maritime Museum showcasing 50 shipwreck images from the Great Lakes and interactive 3D models of wrecks along with video and 3D printed models.
Becky started diving in 1995 at the age of 12 and instantly knew she would do this the rest of her life. Her father passed away when she was 13 teaching her life is short and to follow her dreams. Growing up in Florida she was introduced to cave diving in the picturesque springs at 14 years old. Learning how to shoot in little to no light, overhead environments and being task loaded was what started her passion for trying to capture images of places or animals that few people have ever seen. She became a full cave diver at 18 and a NAUI Instructor #35708 that same year. She taught recreational scuba through college while also expanding her technical diving education by doing trimix and diving deeper into caves in the following years. She began her journey into rebreathers in 2007 and began teaching CCR and technical diving in 2013 throughTDI. Today she is a mixed gas Rebreather Instructor teaching on two units.
One of her biggest passions is diving & documenting shipwrecks in North Americas Great Lakes. She’s filmed ships in 1-100 meters of water in each of the five Great Lakes. She’s worked with the National Park Service filming shipwrecks in 3D in Isle Royale National Park and worked on exploration projects searching for new wrecks in Lake Huron and Lake Michigan. In 2011 she was worked with NOAA, WHOI & SONY on a documentary called “Project Shiphunt” searching for shipwrecks. They found the Schooner M.F. MERRICK lost in 1889 and ETURA in over 95m of icy cold water off Presque Isle Michigan. In June of 2015 Becky was part of the first team of divers to document the ALICE E. WILDS found by Shipwreck Explorers in Milwaukee Michigan in 100m. The team was the first to lay eyes on the shipwreck in over a century! She was also one of the first divers to help document and do the first photogrammetry model of the Agustus Handy discovered near Cheboygan Michigan in 2021. Becky’s passion for the Great Lakes has only grown fiercer over the years and visiting more sites and capturing hauntingly beautiful imagery on these historical wrecks is one of her favorite locations in the world. Her images have been featured in dozens of magazine articles both in the USA and internationally. She thrives on the challenges and is driven by always experimenting with creative techniques to tell a story and have eye catching images.
Becky has also participated in several other expeditions to explore virgin wrecks in a remote area of Japan, and documenting deep sea mounts off the coast of Brazil with scientists. She filmed the exploration of Weeki Wachee Cave system in 2009, and participated in the Phantom Springs Cave Project in Texas in 2012. Her background in cave diving has led to underwater Director of Photography jobs shooting in 6K for RED BULL, National Geographic, and BBC. Her extensive diving experience in a variety of environments has earned a reputation for being able to safely capture footage in challenging underwater locations and work with teams.
Becky has a degree in Communications from the University of Tampa and started her career in Broadcast news covering everything from the Presidential election in 2008 to major hurricanes. That photojournalism background has stayed with her and she actively writes for over 8 magazines and has the covers of many of them each year. Her images have also been used in Museums, ads, billboards, several books and educational materials. She is currently a “Friend of the Brand” for Seiko Watches and appears in many of their ad campaigns and commercials.
Becky feels fortunate she’s been able to combine her two passions in life of diving and photography. She’s been actively diving for 29 years, 24 of which have been technical diving. Becky is on the US Antarctic Program’s Scientific Diving Control Board She is a Fellow in the Explorers Club and in 2013 she was inducted into the Women Divers Hall of Fame. She leads expeditions all over the world to capture unique images that inspire others to explore our planet!
Client | Production Title | Services | Link | Year |
Wisconsin Maritime Museum | Bringing Shipwrecks to Life | Showcasing 50 Great Lakes images, photogrammetry and 3D models. | 2023 | |
Smithsonian Channel | “Great Lakes Untamed” Episode 1 & 3 | Episode 1 & 3 on camera interview, stock footage and underwater shipwreck video. | Link | 2022 |
SEIKO Watches | Seiko "Save the Ocean" collection | Expedition Leader, Photographer & Talent – still photography and video for the new Save the Ocean collection that will be used in magazines, video and social media | 2022 | |
NHK | Middle Island Sinkhole | Underwater cameraman documenting cyanobacteria in Lake Hurons Middle Island Sinkhole in 6k | 2022 | |
SEIKO Watches | Seiko "Prospex Ice Diver" | Expedition Leader, Photographer & Talent for ad campaign diving inside an Alaska Glacier. Featuring SEIKO Prospex Ice Diver Special Edition collection. | 2021 | |
Discovery Channel & SEIKO | Seiko Prospex Commercial | Underwater Videographer in Great Lakes to shoot 3 commercials featuring SEIKO Prospex | Link | 2021 |
SEIKO PROSPEX – Discovery Channel | Seiko Prospex Commercial | Underwater Videographer in Great Lakes to shoot 3 commercials featuring SEIKO Prospex | Link | 2021 |
SEIKO Watches | Seiko Campaign | Lead Photographer, Model, logistics and director for Ice Diver campaign shooting images for the project under ice in Michigan, USA | 2021 | |
SEIKO Prospex | Seiko Antarctica | Watch ad campaign for print and social – Antarctica | 2020 | |
Belize Diving Services | Down to a Sunless Sea | Belize Cave Diving project director of uw photography for short film showcasing exploration, cartography, and marine biology being done inside Giant Cave. | 2019 | |
Smithsonian Channel | Underwater Cameraman –Wreck Discovery of the USS EAGLE. Depth 260ft in Main. | 2018 | ||
Adventure Canada & Sedna Epic | UW Cameraman in Arctic | 2018 | ||
RED BULL Media House | Underwater Cameraman – 6k - Florida caves | 2018 | ||
Diving Unlimited International (DUI) | Advertising video and stills shot in Antarctica diving in 0c/32f water around ice bergs, with seals and penguins. | 2018 | ||
Discovery Channel | Canada Daily Planet: Season 23 Ep25 | Feature segment on my Great Lakes Photography. | Link | 2017 |
Great Lakes Echo | Link | 2017 | ||
Discovery Channel | Billion Dollar Oyster Project | Underwater Director of Photography | 2017 | |
Pure Imagination Studios | National Geographic 360-degree theater project | Underwater Cameraman shot to obtain both 6k footage of sea lions, giant pacific octopus and wolf eels. British Columbia, Canada | 2017 | |
National Geographic | One Strange Rock | Underwater AC / Lighting “One Strange Rock” shot in Abaco and Andros Bahamas. | 2016 | |
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. | 2016 | ||
NBC Today Show / NBC National | 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. | 2015 | |
Flex Seal | Commercial | Underwater Cameraman “Flex Seal Colors” Turned a 1940’s classic truck into a submarine. | Link | 2015 |
Travel Channel | America’s Great Outdoors | Director of Photography “Americas Great Outdoors” Underwater Caves of Florida. MacGillivray Freeman Films | 2015 | |
Travel Channel | America’s Great Outdoors | Underwater Cinematographer “Americas Great Outdoors” Civil War Wreck 1×60 MacGillivray Freeman Films | 2015 | |
VICE Media | Underwater Sculpture | Underwater Cameraman “Underwater Sculpture” Nassau Bahamas filming Jason Taylor assemble a 60-ton sculpture underwater. | 2014 | |
Belize Diving Services | Commercials | Underwater Director & Cameraman for 10 web commercials advertising technical diving in Belize. | 2014 | |
Sedna Expedition | Underwater Cameraman on the “Proof of concept” Expedition in the Arctic filming under icebergs in -1C water temperatures. | 2014 | ||
Travel Channel | World Access | Bonne Terre Mine; Underwater Director of Photography 1×60 episodes | 2014 | |
RED BULL Explorers Series | The Crystal Labyrinth | Director of Underwater Photography following cave explorer Brian Kakuk as he pushes deeper into the Crystal Caves of Abaco Bahamas | Link | 2014 |
National Geographic | Hitler’s Secret Attack on America | Underwater 3D camera operator, Still photographer documenting 250+ foot deep shipwrecks in the Graveyard of the Atlantic. | 2014 | |
CBS | Cave Diving Beyond the Limits | 4-part cave diving series. A short series on the unfortunate father/son death at Eagles Nest Sink, Training, Exploration and a cave rescue. | 2014 | |
Weather Channel | Catching Hell | Underwater Cameraman 10x60min episodes. Commercial Spearfishing reality show in the Gulf of Mexico. | 2013 | |
BBC | Cloud Lab | Director of Underwater Photography / Logistics | 2013 | |
Duracell | Quantum Heros | Director of Underwater Photography & Topside camera Commercial for new Quantum battery featuring the heroic actions of an underwater cave rescue. | 2013 | |
Animal Planet | Underworld | Director of Underwater Photography Repelling 60ft into unexplored underwater caves in the jungle of Mexico to discover Maya artifacts and human remains. | 2013 | |
National Geographic Channel | Mayan Underworld: The Real Doomsday | Director of Underwater Photography / Topside Second Camera. | 2012 | |
Discovery Channel | Bering Sea Gold: Under the Ice | 5×60 episodes (Original Productions) Underwater Cameraman. Diving in extreme conditions under ice in 27.5F /-2.5C degree waters of the Bering Sea. | 2012 | |
SKY TV & A&E | Titanic: 100 Years in 3D | (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution) Topside 3D cameraman. | 2012 | |
Azteca Mexico | Sharks of Mexico | Director of Photography. Filming & diving cageless with Great White sharks, Tiger, Bull and Whale Sharks. | 2012 | |
Speedo | Fastskin 3 Photoshoot | Underwater Dive Team, lighting, and safety for still photography shoot with Olympic athletes Michael Phelps & Ryan Lochte. | 2011 | |
Current TV | Project Shiphunt | Underwater 3D cameraman & Still photographer documenting virgin shipwrecks in Lake Huron 315feet deep in 34 degree water. | 2011 | |
3NET | Bahamas Crystal Caves & Diving with Dolphins | Underwater First assistant 3D camera. | 2011 | |
3NET | Humpback whales & Caves of the Dominican Republic | Underwater & Topside 3D camera operator. | 2011 | |
Pangaea Exploration | Unique expedition documenting Brazil’s remote deep seamounts in 200-300ft. Cameraman | 2010 | ||
Discovery Channel | Attack of the Giant Jellyfish 3D | Topside & Underwater 3D Cameraman. | 2010 | |
National Geographic Wild | Amazing | Topside & UW Videographer; hand feeding Tiger Shark segment. | 2010 | |
CBS News Feature Story | A rare look into Eagles Nest Cave | Underwater Cameraman - 300 feet deep **NATAS Emmy Award Winner and Winner of the RTDNA Edward R. Murrow Award 2011** | 2010 | |
National Geographic Channel | Journey to an Alien Moon | Underwater Videographer. | 2009 | |
NBC Today Show | Tourist Shark Diving with Tiger Sharks | Underwater cameraman. | 2009 | |
National Park Service | Alien Invaders 3D | Invasive Quagga Muscles in Lake Mead. Underwater Videographer HD & 3D & still photographer. | 2008 | |
National Geographic Channel | Worlds Toughest Fixes | Second Camera “Cruise Ship Engine” episode. | 2008 | |
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution | Making of a New Alvin Submersible | Cameraman HD & 3D. | 2008 | |
National Park Service | B-29 Superfortress Bomber | Underwater Videographer HD & 3D. (Produced for Lake Mead visitor center educational kiosk) | 2008 | |
Discovery Science / Military Channel | Quest for Sunken Warships: Operation Hailstone | Topside & Underwater Cameraman. | 2007 | |
Discovery Science / Military Channel | Quest for Sunken Warships: The Mighty Oriskany | Topside Camera 2 & Underwater Cameraman. | 2007 |
Publications
- 2023 Scuba Diving Magazine UK – Fall Issue Cover image & Great Lakes Article
- 2023 Diving Talks Portugal Photo Exhibition – 6 Images shown at Pavilhao das Galeotas – Museu de Marinha
- 2023 Wisconsin Maritime Museum 20 foot long Shipwreck banners for exterior of the building used for the new NOAA Sanctuary.
- 2023 Door County Magazine Lakeland shipwreck article and images
- 2023 Alert Diver Magazine – Summer Issue article on Leopard Seals
- 2023 SEIKO Watches – Images used in advertising new special edition watch collection.
- 2022 Alert Diver Magazine : Cover shot Vernon Shipwreck & Article inside “Treasure in Lake Michigan” https://dan.org/alert-diver/article/treasure-in-lake-michigan-%EF%BF%BC/
- 2022 DIVER Magazine Cover Shot Alaskan Ice & Article Inside “Diving into Moulins”
- 2022 Scuba Diving Magazine – Antarctica Photo Essay https://www.scubadiving.com/stunning-photos-from-first-antarctic-dive-expedition-in-two-years
- 2022 DiveMaster Magazine (Germany) – Alaska Moulin feature story
- 2022 Alert Diver Magazine – Destination Antarctica Article and Images https://dan.org/alert-diver/article/destination-antartica/
- 2022 Hodinkee “Amazing Ocean Moments with Photographer Becky Schott” https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/amazing-ocean-moments-with-photographer-becky-schott
- 2022 Plongez (French) – Alaska Glacier Diving Feature
- 2021 Alert Diver Magazine – “Brining Shipwrecks to Life” Photogrammetry article https://dan.org/alert-diver/article/bringing-shipwrecks-to-life/
- 2021 SEIKO Watch ads in various magazines including Forbes and Men’s Health
- 2021 SEIKO PROSPEX Ice Diver Watch Adds and commercials https://www.seikowatches.com/us-en/products/prospex/special/keepgoingforward/friends/becky
- 2021 DiveMaster Magazine (Germany) Special Feature on my Great Lakes Wreck Photography and cover.
- 2021 PLONGEZ (French Dive Mag) 11 page spread on Lake Superior Wrecks
- 2021 Alert Diver – Image for Sanctuaries of Windiate
- 2021 SEIKO Watch campaign for Ice Diver series photoshoot ice diving in Lake Michigan – logistics – undereater photography – model https://seikoluxe.com/prospex/ice-diver-series/
- 2020 SEIKO PROSPEX Ice Diver – Stock Antarctica images used for ad campaign
- 2019 Lake Erie Technical Wreck Guide Book – COVER of book
- 2019 Human Factors Book author Gareth Lock – Cover image
- 2019 Alert Diver Magazine – “Shooter Profile” by Stephen Frink. Cover shot and Interview inside https://dan.org/alert-diver/article/shooter-becky-kagan-schott/
- 2019 Wreck Diving Magazine issue #44 Cover & Yacht Gunilda Article Inside
- 2019 Light Monkey Photoshoot – product shots
- 2019 Golem Gear Flex CCR Cave photoshoot – product shots
- 2018 OceanGate – Photoshoot of sub for advertising, media
- 2018 Smithsonian Magazine – Oceangate Submarine photo assignment https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/worlds-first-deep-diving-submarine-plans-tourists-see-titanic-180972179/
- 2018 Alert Diver Magazine (Spring 2018) “Destination Truk Lagoon” Cover photo & Article https://dan.org/alert-diver/article/destination-truk-lagoon/
- 2018 Wreck Diving Magazine #43 Cover & Article on Judge Hart / Dean Richmond
- 2018 Caters news – Gunilda https://www.catersnews.com/stories/amazing/century-old-sunken-ship-preserved-in-perfect-condition-beneath-lake-superior/
- 2018- Daily Mail Gunilda http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5626037/Photographer-captures-incredible-wreck-British-ship-preserved-century-freezing-lake.html#newcomment
- 2018 NOAA Images used as scrims 20ft tall on side of Alpena, MI Building x3
- 2018 Dive photo Guide Truk http://www.divephotoguide.com/underwater-photography-special-features/article/return-ghost-fleet-chuuk-lagoon
- 2018 Scuba Diving Magazine (May 2018) Feature Article on Great Lakes Wrecks
- 2018 SONY Alpha Universe article Truk https://alphauniverse.com/stories/return-to-the-ghost-fleet-of-chuuk-lagoon/
- 2018 Blancpain Fifty Fathoms book – Featured Photographer
- 2018 Alert Diver Magazine article on Isle Royale National Park diving Feb 2018
- 2018 Tauchen (German Mag) March 2018 Best Wrecks issue x3 images
- 2018 ScubaVerse Magazine image of Typo shipwreck
- 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
Awards
- 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