Shannon Moran | Underwater Photographer | SW England
Shannon Moran is an Underwater Photographer based in Falmouth, Cornwall. Graduating last year with a degree in Marine and Natural History Photography, she began scuba diving and photography in 2017 and has been following this passion ever since.
Shannon is a volunteer for the Falmouth RNLI water safety team and SeaSearch for the Cornwall Wildlife Trust. She hopes her photography can be used to highlight the importance of marine life in the UK.
What is a typical day like for you?
Most days I wake up, check the weather, grab a coffee and head to work around 5 am. Starting work this early means I have plenty of time to dive in the afternoon! If the weather allows I'll be out diving with my camera every day, I'm lucky that my local dive site Silver Steps is only a few minutes from my home.
What are the fondest memories from your upbringing that you feel impacted your life choices and lifestyle today?
For as long as I can remember I have always had a love of nature and the arts. From a young age, I remember spending countless evenings watching Attenborough documentaries with my grandparents. When I finished college I finally found a way to combine my love of art and nature as I began my degree in Marine and Natural History Photography. As soon as we were introduced to underwater photography I knew this is what I wanted to do, I’m incredibly grateful to the tutors for helping me achieve what I have so far. In 2020 during my final year I was awarded at the Underwater Photographer of the Year contest, something I had only dreamed of. This success gave me the confidence I needed and I hope to spend the rest of my life creating beautiful underwater images.
What/who currently inspires you?
Every day I am inspired by my peers, of course, Sir David Attenborough is a huge inspiration to myself and many others but I'm also inspired by leading underwater photographers such as Alex Mustard, Martin Edge, David Doubilet, the list goes on.
What path did you choose after leaving school?
After school and sixth form, I was unsure on what career path to choose. I had always enjoyed art so decided to enrol in an art foundation diploma at Leeds College of Art, during this course I developed n interest in wildlife photography and discovered the Marine and Natural History Photography course at Falmouth University.
What do you value most in life?
Firstly I value my family, friends and their support, I wouldn’t be where I am today without it. But I believe it is also important to value the environment, an incredibly fragile ecosystem that is constantly changing. There is a very real threat to our Oceans and as a diver and underwater photographer, my happiness and my career is reliant on a healthy ocean.
What would you most like to change in the world/environment today?
Imagine if the seas weren't warming, if corals were healthy, ocean acidification didn't exist and you'd never heard of the phrase critically endangered. The earth is already so damaged from human activity, wouldn't it be amazing if we could revert all of this destruction.
Are there any books/documentaries that have guided your thinking?
Chasing coral was a big one, that really opened my eyes to the problems the oceans were facing just as I began my diving journey. In more recent years there has been a welcome shift towards solutions and conservation in these documentaries.
What brings you the most joy?
Being underwater with my camera looking to capture beautiful images. I do most of my diving at the same site in Falmouth, I believe that diving the same sites often will only encourage creativity in a very familiar environment.
What legacy do you hope to leave?
To make a difference, to inspire the next generation of underwater photographers and encourage others to care about the oceans.
