If you’ve been around the dive shop or joined a club dive, chances are you’ve already met Camilla. With 450 dives in just two years, an eye for underwater photography, and an obsession with nudibranchs, she’s one of the most enthusiastic divers in our community.
But her journey into diving didn’t start from scratch—it was a natural transition. Before taking the plunge into scuba, Camilla built a career in the seafood industry, working as a seafood specialist for Foodstuffs, on a mussel and oyster farm on Stewart Island, and at Moana Pacific Fisheries. With a degree in marine biology and statistics from Victoria University, her fascination with the ocean has always been part of her life.
Despite growing up snorkeling, it wasn’t until Camilla’s old boss gifted them an Open Water certification that she truly discovered their passion for being beneath the waves. That was all it took to spark an obsession, and before long, they were attending almost every club dive, honing their skills, and capturing incredible images of marine life.
One of her biggest joys? Finding the weird and wonderful creatures that most divers swim past. Nudibranchs, in particular, have become a favourite subject—so much so that she’s photographed 33 different species in Wellington alone! Her ability to spot these tiny, vibrant sea slugs is nothing short of impressive.
Now, as an instructor, Camilla gets to share their love for diving with others, introducing students to the underwater world for the first time. To them, diving is like stepping onto another planet—everything is so alien, so surreal, and so mesmerizing. Whether guiding a first-time diver through their first breaths underwater or helping an experienced diver spot a nudibranch they’ve never seen before, Camilla is always eager to share their passion.
Next time you’re at the shop, be sure to say hi! And if you’re lucky, they might even share a few macro photography tips—or point out a nudibranch you never knew was there.
