Naja Bertolt Jensen | Scuba Diver | Underwater Photographer | Dominica | Denmark
Naja grew up on the small nature Island Dominica W.I, but now she is based in Denmark.
As a daughter of professional divers and her father being an underwater cinematographer, Naja witnessed the beauty of the ocean from a very young age. She recalls her childhood constantly below surface, and mentioned that for her, that snorkelling was an ability like walking.
At only the age of 4 years old, Naja had her scuba dive experience, and since then, capturing underwater photos has always been a natural part of her life!
At 16 years old, Naja was hired as Storyteller, at the National Aquarium of Denmark where she acted as a daily link between life below and the visitors which felt meaningful to her. Ever since then, Naja has pursued storytelling focusing on the ocean.
When did you first start your storytelling journey?
Raised on the small nature Island Dominica W.I. witnessing the beauty and unspoiled parts of the ocean, it was clear to me from an early age, that I wished to contribute to preserve and protect the ocean. Ever since I have been storytelling and capturing Images to share the world below surface, as I experience it. At 16 I had moved to Denmark, and was hired as a professional Storyteller at the National Aquarium of Denmark.
What are the fondest memories from your upbringing that you feel impacted your life choices and lifestyle today?
I recall my childhood constantly below surface. Growing up, I remember my parents explaining to me, that the unspoiled beauty I experienced below surface, with octopuses gifting me with beautiful shells, curious Sea Turtles following me to decode what kind of weird fish I was, and the occasional humpback whale song further out in the bay, was unfortunately uncommon, and something we were faced loosing. At that point, I couldn’t understand it.
But at 14 I experienced the nightmarish reality. Working at Lampedusa Sea Turtle Rescue Center, I experienced an ocean severely under pressure. It was almost impossible to swim in the ocean due to discarded longlines and all sorts of plastic. And during the half year I worked at the Rescue Center, we collected more dead Sea Turtles washed ashore, than we treated sick or wounded, though living turtles. This experience really struck me, and I decided that I wanted to contribute as much as possible to preserve and protect the ocean.
What path did you choose after leaving school?
The summer I left school, I contributed as a photographer at Ooean events WWF were hosting in Denmark. At one of these events I met a section leader from the National Aquarium of Denmark. He asked me to apply as `Storyteller´, and in less than a month, I was acting as a professional storyteller telling guests stories about what was dearest to me - the ocean.
What/who currently inspires you?
I have always been inspired by my father. He is an underwater cinematographer and one of the major reasons why I have always been drawn to photography. During my upbringing he taught me to “Keep the Magic”. He has always hoped and believed that by capturing the beauty of the world below surface and sharing this perspective, the receiver would feel desire to preserve and protect the ocean. This has always been inspirational to me, and something I pursue to capture while shooting ocean conservation images.
What would you most like to change in the world/environment today?
If I had one wish, I would reverse what is done and destroying the ocean.
After a dive, where I have experienced an amazing encounter with a Barracuda, or witnessed a Feather Star swimming - or anything else magical below surface, I sometimes get a deep feeling of melancholy, by the thought, that I might not be able to share experiences like this when I have children some day, because the undersea world is disappearing so rapidly. So my wish, would be to reverse what is done and destroying the ocean.
Are there any books/documentaries that have guided your thinking, and that you'd like to recommend to other ocean lovers?
I would recommend the documentary `End of the Line´ by Rupert Murray and the documentary `My Octopus Teacher´ directed by Pippa Ehrlich and James Reed. And I would recommend `The Book of Barely Imagined Beings´ by Caspar Henderson and the book `The Outlaw Ocean´ by Ian Urbina.
What legacy do you hope to leave?
I hope to contribute enhancing ocean awareness, by capturing and sharing images and stories from the world below surface, as I experience it.
What advice would you give to anyone looking to follow their dreams as an Ocean Storyteller?
Follow Your heart and prepare Yourself for hard work - stamina is needed :-)
INSTAGRAM: @officialnaja
WEBSITE: www.NajaBertoltJensen.com
