How Kylie Creates Magical Underwater Portraits That Families Treasure Forever
Jul 27, 2026
Inside Kylie's creative world - transforming family milestones into magical memories that will last a lifetime.
There are photographers who document memories. Then there are photographers who create worlds. For Maryland-based photographer Kylie, every session is an opportunity to tell a story that couldn't exist anywhere else. Whether she's photographing an expectant mother floating effortlessly beneath the surface, children laughing underwater, or families sharing unforgettable moments together, her images feel less like photographs and more like scenes from a dream.
It's exactly why underwater portrait photography has become one of the fastest-growing creative genres in portrait photography. And Kylie is helping define what it can become.
Why Underwater Portrait Photography Is So Captivating
There is something timeless about water. It softens movement. It transforms light. It removes distractions. Hair floats naturally, clothing dances in every direction, and expressions become remarkably peaceful. The result is imagery that simply can't be recreated in a traditional studio. For families, maternity clients, and children, underwater portraits become heirlooms unlike anything hanging on most walls. Instead of simply freezing a moment... They create an experience.
Kylie's sessions are built around exactly that philosophy—making clients feel comfortable enough that authentic emotion naturally takes over. Her underwater work reflects the same artistic storytelling that defines the rest of her photography.
Where Art Meets Adventure
Many photographers shy away from water. For good reason. Water and expensive cameras have traditionally been a terrifying combination.
Professional underwater housings have often been:
- Extremely expensive
- Camera-specific
- Heavy
- Complicated
- Limited to underwater specialists
That has changed dramatically. Using the Outex waterproof camera housing, Kylie can use the same professional camera and lenses she already knows and loves—while safely photographing beneath the surface. Rather than adapting her creativity to specialized equipment, she adapts the equipment to her creative vision. That's exactly what Outex was designed to do.
Behind the Scenes: Creating the Perfect Underwater Portrait
When people see Kylie's finished images, they often imagine they're heavily edited. The truth? Most of the magic happens before the shutter is pressed. A successful underwater portrait session depends on dozens of small details working together:
- Comfortable communication with clients
- Safe, controlled swimming environments
- Flowing wardrobe choices
- Light direction
- Camera positioning
- Timing facial expressions
- Natural movement
- Breath control
- Patience
Every image represents a collaboration between photographer and subject. The camera simply records the moment.
Why Families Love Underwater Photography
Underwater sessions create something children rarely experience: Play. Instead of standing still and smiling, they're encouraged to swim, laugh, move, and explore. Parents quickly discover that these sessions become memorable experiences long before the photographs are delivered. Expecting mothers often describe underwater maternity sessions as surprisingly peaceful. The sensation of weightlessness creates elegant poses that simply aren't possible on land. The resulting portraits celebrate both motherhood and artistry simultaneously. In Kylie's words:
" The best work I've ever created—and still create today—has been photographed in that pool. There's nothing more unique than seeing one of these underwater portraits printed large on a wall."
Outex Gives Photographers Creative Freedom
Professional photographers invest years mastering their camera systems. Switching to a completely different underwater camera setup often means sacrificing speed, familiarity, and image quality. Outex eliminates that compromise. Instead of requiring a dedicated underwater camera system, photographers like Kylie can continue using the cameras and lenses they've already mastered. That means more consistency. More creativity. And fewer limitations. Whether photographing in pools, lakes, rivers, waterfalls, or ocean environments, photographers can focus on storytelling—not worrying about their equipment.
The Future of Portrait Photography Is More Creative Than Ever
Photography has never been easier. Creating unforgettable photographs has never been harder. As AI-generated imagery becomes increasingly common, authentic experiences become more valuable than ever. That's exactly what underwater portrait photography delivers. These aren't images created inside a computer. They're moments that truly happened. Real families, emotions, and creativity. Kylie's work reminds us that photography still has the power to surprise us—and that some of the most beautiful images are waiting just beneath the surface.
About Kylie
Based in Elkton, Maryland, Kylie specializes in artistic portrait photography, including family, maternity, children's, and underwater sessions. Her approach blends fine-art creativity with authentic storytelling, creating photographs that celebrate connection, imagination, and emotion. Her underwater portrait sessions have become one of her signature experiences, attracting families looking for something truly unforgettable.
See more of Kylie's work:
https://photographybykylie.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_photographybykylie/
Why Kylie Chose Outex
For Kylie, choosing a waterproof camera housing wasn't just about protecting her equipment—it was about finding a system that could grow alongside her creativity.
"I did some research and decided on Outex gear. The system made sense, was easy to use, and was at the price point I required."
She began with a starter kit, practicing on her children in an above-ground pool. Within weeks, she had outgrown it.
"I was hooked. I ordered an upgraded set of gear as soon as I was able, and I've been using that same gear ever since. The adjustable rear glass for LCD and viewfinder lets me review every image underwater, and I never have fogging issues. That's been a lifesaver."
Today, Kylie photographs with a Canon 5D Mark IV paired with a Sigma Art 35mm lens, protected by an Outex waterproof housing customized specifically for her camera and lens combination.
One of her favorite features is the Outex Dome, which pushes water away from the front element, allowing her to create beautiful over/under ("split-shot") images without the distracting waterline crossing through the frame.
"The dome pushes water away from the lens, allowing me to capture subjects above and below the surface without water-line obstruction."
She also appreciates how little the system changes her existing workflow.
"It typically takes me only five to seven minutes to assemble the housing if I'm in a hurry, but I usually put it together well before the session. I slowly sink the camera, watching for air bubbles—but I know there won't be any. As long as I've assembled it correctly, there never are."
Like every experienced photographer, Kylie admits that human error occasionally happens.
"There have been a time or two where I've made a mistake assembling it, but because of the design, my equipment was never damaged."
For photographers who regularly review images during a shoot, another feature has become indispensable.
"The adjustable viewfinder makes it easy to see my LCD underwater, and I never have fogging issues. Since I always check my images before removing the housing, that's been a lifesaver."
For Kylie, Outex isn't simply protective gear—it's the tool that allows her to continue using the professional camera and lenses she already knows, while confidently creating images that would otherwise be impossible.
Finding Light Beneath the Surface
Every photograph tells a story. For Kylie, the story began long before she ever entered the water. In 2020, during one of the most difficult periods of her life, her youngest child was medically misdiagnosed while the world was simultaneously shutting down during the pandemic. The emotional weight of those months became overwhelming.
"I compared the pain to being sunk just beneath the water's surface, reaching up for a hand to grab me and pull me out of the suffocating trauma I was enduring. I imagined the warm, sparkling beams of light dancing just above my head... just out of reach while I gasped for air."
Looking for an outlet, Kylie discovered the underwater artwork of photographer Elizabeth Blank. Something immediately resonated.
"The use of darkness and light in harmony, alongside color and weightless movement, inspired me in a way I hadn't been in a long time. I knew immediately what I wanted to do."
What began as a creative distraction quickly became something much more meaningful. Over the following years, underwater photography evolved into a form of healing—a place where creativity replaced fear and beauty slowly displaced grief. Today, those same shimmering beams of light have taken on an entirely different meaning.
"As I sink beneath the water today, camera in hand, I sometimes glance back toward the surface. I see those same warm, sparkling beams of light... and now I smile. The light and joy aren't imagined anymore. They're real. I can come up for air anytime. I made it here, and nothing is out of reach anymore."
Kylie hopes every underwater portrait reflects that journey.
"I always want to honor what I swam through in my personal life. As an ode to surviving the darkness we all go through to get to the light, I hope my work reflects exactly that."
It's a reminder that the most meaningful photographs often begin long before the shutter is pressed.
