Breathtaking – literally! Incredible underwater footage shows world’s deepest underwater photo shoot: record-breaking project used model who could hold her breath for six minutes

Incredible underwater footage showed the world’s deepest underwater photoshoot using a model who could hold her breath for six minutes.

The record-breaking project took place 30 meters below the surface of the famous Georgian Bay in Tobermory, Ontario, Canada.

Photographer Steve Haining, 34, captured stunning photos of model and free diver Ciara Antoski at the bow of the abandoned Niagara II shipwreck on September 19.

The entire attempt took 30 minutes, including clean-up, equipment removal and safety stop, while the photo shoot itself lasted just 16 minutes, according to Guinness World Records.

“The real hero of the shoot, every time we do something like this, is the model,” Haining said.

The photo shoot broke a new world record for the deepest underwater shot at 30 meters below the surface

One of the biggest challenges the team faced was the bitter water temperatures of 44 degrees Fahrenheit. Everyone but Antoski could wear wet suits to keep them warm, while she donned a white and pink dress instead.

Antoski was more affected by the extreme conditions because of what she was wearing, but Mareesha Klups and Mario Medarevic, two experienced diving trainers, kept a close eye on her and the rest of the crew.

Haining said Antoski “loves to push the boundaries creatively with me,” as the pair have worked together on other shoots for years.

In the 16 minutes it took to take the photos, Antoski began experiencing cramps in her diaphragm from the cold water. Haining then called to end the shoot to keep her safe.

The photographer went on to say that he knows he could have shot the project in warmer waters like the Caribbean, but he chose the cold waters of the Great Lakes to “make it as challenging as possible.”

The breathtaking shoot has officially surpassed the previous world record. Haining said the entire expedition was “about safety and fun.”

‘When we beat the record it felt like it was an honor to be recognised, but my team and I really wanted to raise the bar in terms of the record and that’s why we chose to go much deeper, colder, darker and above all more go challenging and exciting as a personal goal,” says Haining.

The same team held the previous world record after completing another deep dive during the Covid pandemic, when they went 9 meters deep.

Antoski is a model and free diver who was able to hold her breath underwater for six minutes for the shoot

She couldn’t wear a wetsuit to stay warm in the frigid 44 degree water as she wore a white and pink dress instead

Antoski posed on the bow of the abandoned Niagara II shipwreck

Everyone involved in the shoot had to undergo advanced open water training, and in preparation for the deep dive they conducted site reconnaissance, multiple rehearsals and learned a series of hand signals.

The signals were used to help the team communicate well underwater, so they could tell each other when they were out of air, needed to get in the water, or when they felt like they were done.

Everyone wore underwater masks with tanks, and between shots, Antoski was given a mask as a breathing aid that helped her stay in the water as long as she did.

‘In the end it was a reason for the team to all get back together and do something really fun again. It’s just really exciting to have the efforts officially recognized,” Haining said.

Everyone wore underwater masks with tanks, and between shots Antoski was given a mask as a breathing aid

“But having those challenges and limitations and achieving the end results that we achieved is so incredible. The location where we shot at 30 meters is a place we have all dived before and love, so to be able to integrate the passion of diving in Tobermory with my professional photography work is very special.”

The latest record set by the team is five times the old one, as all the photos with Antoski were taken during the practice session and the record photos were taken the day after.

The two photos of Antoski at the bottom of the sea, with the sand and ship behind her, were the images that set the new Guinness World Record for the deepest underwater model photo shoot.