Usually when shooting wildlife, your models do not take your directions and are often quite unmotivated to cooperate. Photographing human models is a step up as far as getting what you want, but you still have limited communication while underwater: Before going under the water, everyone has to be clear about the goals for the shoot especially if you are breathholding as your time is very short. I work with a few models who are professional mermaids: they have devoted much time and training to becoming very comfortable underwater and are good at freediving - at times they dive quite deep without an airsource of their own. They also have become proficient in underwater makeup and props such as tails which they craft themselves. They even have techniques for clearing bubbles from their noses - they are professionals and this makes capturing a magical scene easier.
Usually when shooting wildlife, your models do not take your directions and are often quite unmotivated to cooperate. Photographing human models is a step up as far as getting what you want, but you still have limited communication while underwater: Before going under the water, everyone has to be clear about the goals for the shoot especially if you are breathholding as your time is very short. I work with a few models who are professional mermaids: they have devoted much time and training to becoming very comfortable underwater and are good at freediving - at times they dive quite deep without an airsource of their own. They also have become proficient in underwater makeup and props such as tails which they craft themselves. They even have techniques for clearing bubbles from their noses - they are professionals and this makes capturing a magical scene easier.