Lauren Smith poses with Tattie
Lauren getting ready for a dive
Lauren stepping into her North Sea Office
I recently worked with Dr Lauren Smith, a marine biologist, underwater photographer, and writer for The Guardian, on a profile photoshoot focused on creating strong, natural imagery for her website and social platforms.
The aim was to capture Lauren in a way that reflected both her scientific work and her deep connection to the ocean — professional but approachable, grounded in place, and rooted in environmental storytelling.
Lauren is also the founder of Saltwater Life, a project dedicated to sharing stories from the sea and inspiring greater care for our marine environments. The shoot centred on authentic portraiture, using light, texture, and coastal surroundings to create images that feel honest, calm, and purposeful, much like Lauren’s work itself.