Cat Island Magic: Loving Those Oceanics

Every year out at Cat Island during our Oceanic Whitetip Shark Expedition we think it can't get any better and yet every year outshines the last. Five straight days of the largest oceanics we have had the pleasure of being in the water with, accompanied by visits from schooling dorado, marlin, dusky, silky, tiger and caribbean reef sharks. We had a wonderful time sharing photography tips and techniques with this eclectic group from around the globe; everyone showed up eager to learn and excited to jump right in.

Epic Diving has again proven they are masters at responsible encounters with the sharks and leaders in community support of Cat Island and it's residents. It's a great feeling knowing you're working with operators who care so much about not only the sharks, but the locals on the island. Thank you Epic Diving for creating a weeks worth of unforgettable encounters and memories for A COTTON PHOTO's expedition.

We look forward to heading back out to Cat Island again next April 2014 and hope many of you will join us on this exciting adventure! For more details on our 2014 Oceanic Expedition please visit our Expeditions page on A COTTON PHOTO's Website HERE

Amanda Cotton Elected as a Member of The Explorers Club

Amanda was thrilled to learn in March that she was elected as a Member to The Explorers Club. It is an incredible honor to be a part of a distinguished organization full of some of the world's most extraordinary explorers. We look forward to continuing to provide information pertaining to events and expedition related to The Explorers Club which Amanda attends.

"The Explorers Club is an international multidisciplinary professional society dedicated to the advancement of field research and the ideal that it is vital to preserve the instinct to explore. Since its inception in 1904, the Club has served as a meeting point and unifying force for explorers and scientists worldwide. Our headquarters is located at 46 East 70th Street in New York City.

Founded in New York City in 1904, The Explorers Club promotes the scientific exploration of land, sea, air, and space by supporting research and education in the physical, natural and biological sciences. The Club’s members have been responsible for an illustrious series of famous firsts: First to the North Pole, first to the South Pole, first to the summit of Mount Everest, first to the deepest point in the ocean, first to the surface of the moon—all accomplished by our members." -excerpt from The Explorers Club website

For more information on The Explorers Club visit www.explorers.org

Artists United for Water: Water Drives Nature

We here at A COTTON PHOTO are so proud of all the Ocean Artists Society members and our Executive Director Charlie Fasano who worked hard to create this second film Artists United for Water: Water Drives Nature.

"The film is about global water conservation. It opens with a 2min PSA by Wyland. Please watch on a full screen with the lights dim and look for our special message after the credits. Our FREE eMagazine, "Ocean Artists United" accompanying the film will be available online shortly.

Enjoy the film and as a part of our Environmental Renaissance, please let us all make an effort to conserve water. It is the most necessary and abused element of our planet."

Sailfish Bait Balls Galore and More...

ACP Sailfish Mexico Adventure 2013 from A COTTON PHOTO Creative Works on Vimeo.

It's always a great thrill to spend time in Mexico, but this year's Sailfish Expedition far surpassed any of our previous trips down to the land of white sand, warm waters and friendly smiles. We spent five days out on the water looking for bait balls and we weren't disappointed. A gift from the universe, we were rewarded with incredible weather and static sailfish bait balls everyday; allowing for numerous hours in the water shooting till our hearts were content. Throughout the week we were visited by large pods of dolphins, including one rare encounter with dolphins and sailfish hitting the same bait ball (virtually unheard of since the sailfish tend to shy away from the action when dolphins show up). During one of our most action packed encounters we had a crazy wahoo zooming through the bait ball while more than fifty sailfish whizzed in and out, working effortlessly with each other to collect their meals.

Our last day out our Captain received word several giant mantas had been spotted close by, without hesitation our group decided to venture out in search of these gentle giants. Forty five minutes later we were surrounded by fifteen to twenty giant mantas circling around feeding at the surface. After three hours of swimming and shooting these lovely marine creatures we were exhausted and decided to head in. Our trip out to Isla Mujeres had ended in a huge success, but our luck didn't stop there.

As some from our group made their way back home several of us decided to stay and try our luck with the bull sharks in the area. We were again pleasantly rewarded with an incredible dive with sixteen big, beautiful bull sharks in amazing vis and no currents. Ending our adventure we stopped at a local cenote known to have a resident crocodile who is rather accustomed to having it's photograph taken. We spent hours snorkeling and free diving with this small and friendly crocodile.

I think I can safely safe everyone came home from this adventure with huge smiles and incredible images. If you're interested in joining us in January 2014 for our next Sailfish Expedition please visit our SAILFISH EXPEDITION PAGE or contact us at info@acottonphoto.com.

Dive with Sharks: Cat Island, Bahamas May 2013 Video Workshop

In May we'll be returning to Cat Island in the Bahamas on our annual expedition to dive with oceanic whitetip sharks and so much more. It's always a pleasure to visit the island, the sharks, and of course the crew at Epic Diving. We have many new and exciting projects on the horizon so 2013 will be our last season out with them.

This year's workshop will include video and film making training offered by the talented and incomparable Luke Inman. Luke has worked with some on the industries finest including the BBC, Lucas Films, Animal Planet, National Geographic, Sundance Channel and more. It is a huge honor to have him onboard to share his video and film making know-how with our group. If you're interested in pursuing film making and would like training from one of the leading industry insiders this is an expedition not to miss. As always photography tips and training will be available throughout the week as well.

For further information and to learn more about this fantastic shark expedition please email us at info@epicdiving.com

Join the Shark Stanley Movement!

We are continually asked what the average person can do to help protect sharks and our oceans, well my friends Shark Stanley is here to help you. A fantastic campaign created by Shark Defenders to get everyone active and involved in protecting sharks and rays at the upcoming Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) meeting in March.

From Shark Defenders Website:

“Hello friend! My name is Shark Stanley and I am traveling around the world to find friends who will support shark and manta ray protections at the upcoming Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) meeting in March. If you would like to help me with this mission, you can print a picture of me - or my friends Manta Reina, Pierre le Porbeagle, and Waqi Whitetip - cut us out, and take a photo with us anywhere you wish. Then please send us this photo along with your name and where you are from! My supporters are compiling your photos from around the world to share on their blog and web pages, and sending them to governments voting at CITES to get their support! Help us reach our goal of finding 50 organizations and celebrities to partner with me, and to collect at least 5000 photos from all 177 CITES countries!”

We recently took Shark Stanley out with us to dive with sailfish and manta rays in Mexico and he had a great time! So check it out, print him out, take a photo and make a difference!!

A Manatee Morning

We spent Christmas Eve morning in the company of Florida Manatees. Here is a quick glimpse into what our experience was like...

Manatee Morning from A COTTON PHOTO Creative Works on Vimeo.