Kate Powell | Ocean Photographer | Ecologist | Oahu

19 Feb

Kate’s work is an imaginative exploration of our world underwater. Guided by excited curiosity, she has spent thousands of hours immersed in oceans - observing, learning and photographing the life and energy within. Kate has lived in a handful of places but she currently calls Oahu, Hawaii her home. Motivated by a profound fascination of the natural world, she studied Ecology in college and became a certified scuba instructor with NAUI in 2018.

This path, and the benchmarks that helped pave it, have shaped both her manner and mission as an underwater photographer.

“At the age of thirteen I picked up my first camera, consequently beginning a journey that has challenged me both artistically and intellectually. I have found passion in photography, in sharing a part of myself - my vision - with others. Photography has been a means of deepening and expanding the relationship I have with myself and the world around me. My greatest hope is to encourage curiosity. Chase your curiosity.”

Notable Features

Catalina Aquatic - New York Times
The Vastness of Open Water - Oceanographic

What is a typical day like for you?

My days are intentionally fluid. As a photographer dedicated to the ocean, my work is highly condition dependent. If the conditions are good (and even when they are not so good), I am usually out in the field shooting. Otherwise, I spend my time editing, project planning, and writing.

What are the fondest memories from your upbringing that you feel impacted your life choices and lifestyle today?

It wasn’t until later in life that I recognized being outdoors and chasing adventure gave me a sense of completeness unlike anything else. When I finally made that connection, I began to seek people who felt similarly. Those people, my mentors in many respects, have shaped me immeasurably.

When did you first pick up a camera and shooting underwater?

Underwater photography, for me, came from a convergence of passions. It wasn't until I began teaching marine science (and had access to the ocean), that I transitioned away from landscape and terrestrial wildlife photography. Although, perhaps in a way, it was less of a transition away from and more of a transition into. I was simply taking the photography that I knew I loved doing into a different scape: the sea. It has been four years since.

What/who currently inspires you?

I often find inspiration in mindful observation of my surroundings.

What path did you choose after leaving school?

After college, I was hired as a marine science educator on Catalina Island, which lies 22 miles off the coast of Los Angeles. I intended to stay for one year, but I ended up loving it so much that I stayed for four. During my time there I also became a scuba instructor and had the opportunity to teach students how to dive.

What do you value most in life?

Reflection. I believe intentional reflection is imperative for personal growth.

What would you most like to change in the world/environment today?

To strip away the politics of how we care for Earth. I so desperately wish that we had an innate understanding of our reliance on this planet so that our decisions could be guided by genuine, caring sentiments.

Are there any books/documentaries that have guided your thinking?

Certainly More than You Want to Know About the Fishes of the Pacific Coast by Milton Love. Did you know that a textbook on fishes can be approachable and humorous? - BBC’s Planet Earth. The original series felt revolutionary when it was first released.