Frequently Asked Questions About Underwater Portrait Photography Training

General Course/Workshop Information:

  • What courses/workshops do you offer?
    • UPPA offers a variety of courses in photography, underwater photography, underwater modeling, and water safety. All our courses are geared towards water related photography activities, but many such as our business and safety courses can be applicable to other fields and types of photography. You can find all our current course offerings at https://waterbearphotography.com/academy/training
  • What are the dates and times for upcoming workshops?
    • UPPA in-person workshops are hosted at varying times of the year. Our Water Workshop and Modeling Workshops are typically hosted annually in the spring or early summer. You can find more information on the dates and schedules for workshops by visiting the course pages at https://waterbearphotography.com/academy/training
  • Where are the in-person workshops held?
    • In-person workshops are held at our underwater studio located at Water Bear Studios near Gainesville, Florida. Some training events may be hosted at other locations either locally, nationally, or even internationally. Our underwater studio address is 330 NW 170th St. Newberry, Florida, USA. The facility is not open to the public and only open to attendees of workshops, events, or mentoring.
  • What is the duration of each course/workshop?
    • Workshops and courses vary in length depending on the topics covered. Our in-person workshops cover several days of training and practice. Online courses will vary in length from mini-courses designed to be completed in under 2 hours, or longer courses that may take several days to complete. All online courses are designed to be completed at your individual pace.
  • What skill level are the courses/workshops suitable for?
    • Photography and modeling workshops are designed for all skill levels. We cover basic knowledge through intermediate techniques with respect to editing, lighting, and posing. Underwater photography work is very niche and there is something for everyone to learn from beginners to established professionals.
  • What equipment do I need for the courses/workshops?
    • For our online courses, no equipment is needed. For in-person workshops, you may want your own camera gear. We send a packing list before each event so you know what to bring. The general items a photographer would need is a camera and housing (or you can rent one of ours), a mask, thermal protection, and a weight belt. For modeling workshops, we recommend a swimsuit and nude bodysuit. UPPA can provide wardrobe and safety gear however, you’re always welcome to bring your own if you’d like.
  • Do I need prior experience to enroll?
    • Many of our courses do not require experience to enroll. In the event we have a course that is more advanced, we will list in the prerequisites section of the page what we recommend. Our courses are designed for all experience levels.
  • What is the class size for in-person workshops?
    • We try to keep our in-person classes intimate. That’s why we limit enrollment to a maximum of 10 persons, or less depending on the topics. Small class sizes allows our instructors to spend more one-on-one time with each attendee and lets everyone feel comfortable in a smaller environment to ask questions, engage, and network.
  • Are materials provided for the workshops?
    • Workshop materials different from event to event however, we may provide copies of guides, worksheets, etc as needed to convey the topics. Our in-person workshop attendees also receive swag bags filled with items that will help them in the workshops and as they continue their work. For modeling workshops, UPPA has a wardrobe of water safe apparel that attendees can borrow to practice modeling.
  • Do you offer private or customized workshops?
    • Absolutely! Private mentorships and personal workshops can be arranged with our lead instructor Kimber Greenwood. You can reach out to her directly to inquire at kimber@waterbearphotography.com.
  • Are there any age restrictions for the courses/workshops?
    • All attendees should be at least 18 years of age to attend any workshop. E-courses do not have age restrictions however, anyone engaging in underwater photography or modeling should be aware of the risks and understand they are acting in a professional adult capacity and are responsible for their own safety and care.
  • What is the difference between the e-courses and the in-person workshops?
    • E-courses are delivered on our online education platform through videos and text. The e-course content is self-paced and you can complete it from the comfort of your own office or home. In-person workshops are held at the UPPA/Water Bear Studios location near Gainesville, Florida. These workshops are organized and scheduled by the instructor and the pace is set to cover all the content within a certain period of time. In-person workshops also give you hand-on and in-water practice and portfolio shoots that you do not get with e-learning.

E-Course Specific Questions:

  • How do I access the e-course materials?
    • The UPPA student dashboard is where you can find all the e-courses you’ve enrolled in. To access the dashboard just visit https://waterbearphotography.com/academy/dashboard/ to login. You can create an account when you checkout during enrollment of your first e-course.
  • How long do I have access to the e-course? (Lifetime access, limited time)
    • All e-course enrollment gives you lifetime access to the course. Even when we update the course, you will still have access to those updates. We encourage all students to revisit the courses annually to refresh their knowledge. There’s always something new to learn.
  • Are the e-courses downloadable?
    • E-course content is not downloadable and is hosted on our platform. You get lifetime access to all content from your account. Some courses do include downloadable materials and supplemental documents.
  • What format are the e-course materials in?
    • E-courses are a combination of videos and text. Some content such as editing tutorials are delivered entirely by video however we try to provide supplemental text where possible.
  • Is there any interaction with the instructor in the e-courses? (Q&A, forums)
    • As part of the lifetime professional membership program, you can have access to our course instructors to ask questions through the member’s only forum. UPPA is here to answer any of your technical or troubleshooting questions at any time and you can email us at will@waterbearphotography.com.
  • Are there any assignments or assessments in the e-courses?
    • Many of our e-courses include quiz and exam modules. Completion of these lets you see how you understand the materials and if you need to review any content.
  • Is there a certificate of completion for the e-courses?
    • Badges are provided for our full workshops and e-courses for you to display on your website or social media. These badges are to show you’ve completed training as a professional underwater photographer, model, or safety swimmer.
  • What are the technical requirements for accessing the e-courses?
    • E-courses can be accessed from any computer, tablet, or smartphone device. For better visual presentation we recommend using a larger screen device such as a computer or tablet. Slower internet speeds may limit loading of videos however there should be no issues accessing the content on any device.
  • Can I watch the e-courses on my mobile device?
    • Our course platform allows you to view the courses you’ve enrolled in on your mobile devices. For videos, we recommend a larger screen for easier viewing; however, all content does work on any device.

In-Person Workshop Specific Questions:

  • What is the schedule for the workshop? (Detailed itinerary)
    • In-person workshops schedules are determined by the instructors and the content covered. Most of our in-person workshops are multi-day events that include work at the studio pool as well as a local Florida Spring. The schedules are listed on the webpages for each workshop.
  • Is there a break for lunch/refreshments?
    • All in-person underwater photography and modeling workshops have breaks scheduled throughout the days. Food may be provided for some events, and that information is provided on the workshop webpages.
  • Is there parking available at the workshop location?
    • Workshops are held at Water Bear Studios, which is located just outside of Gainesville, Florida. The property has plenty of room for parking on-site. All events at local Florida Springs also have ample parking.
  • Are there any accommodations nearby for out-of-town attendees?
    • UPPA does not provide accommodations for workshops; however, there are many great options within 15 minutes of the studio in Gainesville and the surrounding areas. Gainesville has dozens of hotels, airBnBs, and other accommodations.
  • What should I bring to the workshop?
    • A packing list will be sent to all attendees shortly before the workshop so you know exactly what to bring. The most important thing to bring is a friendly learning attitude!
  • Will there be hands-on practice during the workshop?
    • Yes! The thing that differentiates workshops from e-courses is the ability to get in the water and practice what you’ve learned. Each workshop has time allotted for in-water training and portfolio shoots at the studio pool and some local Florida Springs.
  • Will there be opportunities to network with other attendees?
    • Yes! UPPA’s goal is to create a fantastic, engaged underwater creatives community. You’ll have a chance to chat with other attendees throughout the workshops and most will get together afterwards for dinners.
  • Is there a certificate of completion for the in-person workshops?
    • Much like our e-course you can earn a badge for attending and completing an in-person workshop.

Photography Specific Questions:

  • What type of photography is covered in the course/workshop?
    • The purpose of UPPA is to provide training and education for underwater portrait photography. Some of our courses are applicable to other photography fields, specifically the ones related to business and even editing.
  • Do you cover editing software in the course/workshop?
    • Editing is covered with the use of Adobe Lightroom and PhotoShop tools. Some of the concepts are applicable to other editing programs however the tools shows will be those two programs specifically.
  • Do you teach about lighting techniques?
    • Lighting is first introduced through the concepts of understanding and using natural light. Once you understand how light acts underwater, we then start bringing in artificial lights with constant lights first and eventually strobes. Our goal is to make well rounded photographers who can work in any environment and understand the technical aspects of photography.
  • Will there be opportunities to photograph models during the workshop?
    • Yes! The underwater photography workshops have professional models who have been hired so you can practice and have portfolio images. We only hire models that are highly experienced or have been trained by UPPA so we know they are able to pose well so you can focus on getting great shots.

Modeling Specific Questions:

  • What type of modeling is covered in the course/workshop?
    • Underwater specific modeling is taught in our courses. We train primarily on fashion style modeling however commercial and mermaid modeling is also discussed and practiced. 
  • Do you teach posing techniques?
    • During the modeling workshop, you will learn posing technique, breath and buoyancy management, and other intricacies such as hand and foot placement, working with fabrics, and even makeup.
  • Do you cover industry etiquette and business practices?
    • UPPA is a big advocate of professionals being treated as professionals. We emphasize the importance of setting your modeling rate and ensuring you are getting a fair and reasonable wage for the jobs you do. Some of our other business training courses may be applicable to modeling businesses as well.
  • Do you provide feedback on my portfolio?
    • Throughout the workshop, you will get hands-on feedback from the instructors and video feedback to review on your own after the workshop. If you are looking for portfolio feedback, you can schedule private virtual or in-person mentoring by reaching out to Kimber at kimber@waterbearphotography.com.
  • Do you help with building a professional portfolio?
    • During the modeling workshop, you will receive professionally edited photos of you during shoots you can use in your portfolio. You can also book photography sessions with our instructors to build your portfolio and receive additional training and mentoring.
  • Will there be photoshoots during the workshop?
    • Yes! During the workshop you will be get to participate in an actual photoshoot where you will get professionally edited images for your portfolio. You can find out more information at the workshop webpage.

Safety Specific Questions:

  • What specific safety topics are covered?
    • Safety is a key focus point of all training for underwater photography and modeling through UPPA. We have several courses devoted to different topics of safety. The key things we focus on is preparation, prevention, and communication. The use of safety swimmers, having the right gear and training, and being able to effectively work through distress and injuries is covered in several courses.
  • Who are the instructors for the safety portion of the courses/workshops?
    • Our safety course materials have been developed and are taught by our founder and renowned underwater photographer Kimber Greenwood. Kimber has spent years working with clients and modeling underwater and has worked to develop and implement the most thorough safety programs for underwater portrait photography in the world. Her expertise is relied on by not only photographers and models but also commercial production companies and brands.
  • Is the safety training relevant to specific industries or situations?
    • The biggest take away from any safety training is that it may not be applicable to every instance or every situation. Having the knowledge and skills can be beneficial overall, but anyone on an underwater photoshoot should be adaptable. This is a key part of the preparation to ensure you are prepared for any scenario, even ones that aren’t at the top of your mind.
  • Are there any certifications provided for the safety training?
    • At this time, UPPA does not provide nationally, or internationally, recognized certification for safety. You can receive a completion badge for courses completed to signify you have safety training. We do recommend all water professionals get certified in CPR and First Aid at a minimum.
  • Does the safety portion of the courses cover legal information?
    • Some of our safety courses do touch on topics such as Good Samaritan Laws however, it’s important to know that laws change from city to city, state to state, and country to country. It is important that you understand the laws in your areas and how they apply to the work you do. What we teach may not be applicable to your area.
  • How do you handle sensitive topics within the safety course?
    • Our safety courses do not cover sensitive topics because we believe when it comes to safety, not this too sensitive to prevent your action as a safety professional. Laws may be applicable with respect to care and response however, these areas should be thoroughly researched in your geographic and political areas.
  • Are the safety guidelines up to date with current best practices?
    • UPPA reviews all our safety course materials and updates them regularly to ensure all practices are current. There are no standards for underwater portrait photography safety outside of the training established by UPPA therefore, UPPA should be considered the minimum standards for safety guideline for underwater portrait photography.

Payment and Registration Questions:

  • How do I register for a course/workshop?
    • All courses can be registered through the course webpage. Payments are processed online through our payment services provider.
  • What payment methods do you accept?
    • We accept all major credit and debit cards through our online payment processor. 
  • Is there a payment plan available?
    • Payment plans are offered for our in-person workshops. You can find the payment plan options on the workshop webpages. For a longer payment plan, register as early as possible. Payments adjust as it gets closer to the workshop date. All payment plans are done online with auto-pay and you will receive automated payment reminders a few days before each payment process.
  • What is your cancellation/refund policy?
    • In the event UPPA must cancel an event, a full refund will be issued. Attendees have options if they need to cancel including, applying the credit towards a future event or workshop, selling their seat to a new attendee (must be approved by the instructor), or using trip insurance or another means for a refund. We do recommend all in-person attendees get trip insurance in the event they need to cancel for any reason.
  • Is there an early bird discount?
    • Occasionally we will provide discounts for registrations, or beta tester programs at a reduced course cost. We do offer discounts if you bundle workshops and those offers can be discussed with Kimber by emailing her at kimber@waterbearphotography.com.
  • Do you offer group discounts?
    • Yes! We do offer group discounts if you bring multiple people to a course or workshop. To inquire about group rates, reach out to Kimber at kimber@waterbearphotography.com.
  • How do I receive my registration confirmation?
    • Once registered, you will have access to the student portal for e-course. You will also receive an email confirmation of you registration for any course or workshop.
  • What happens if a workshop is canceled?
    • At times, events may need to be canceled due to events such as weather. Being based in Florida, we are subject to hurricane season which can impact our in-person event schedule. While we will do our best to work around weather and may need to make adjustments to the schedules, if we need to cancel an event entirely, we will reach out with options to all attendees.

Technical Support Questions: