Keeping It Cool in Lake Superior: How Young Photographer Colin Willemsen Masters Underwater Landscapes with Outex

Meet Colin Willemsen: Lake Superior’s Young Visionary

“I specialize in capturing the beauty of Lake Superior—from along its rugged shorelines to beneath its icy surface,” says Colin. His camera setup includes Nikon Z7 and Z50 mirrorless cameras, paired with lenses such as the 10–20mm f/3.5, 24–70mm f/4 S, 14–30mm f/4 S, and 17–50mm f/2.8—all protected by his trusted Outex underwater system.

For Colin, photography isn’t just about the image; it’s about immersion. To explore the lake’s frozen caves and underwater world, he dons a 5/4mm wetsuit and braves water temperatures that rarely exceed 55°F in summer and can plunge to 30°F in winter.

At just 17 years old, Colin Willemsen has already developed a reputation for capturing the wild, icy beauty of Lake Superior’s North Shore—not just from the shoreline, but inside the lake itself. Armed with his Nikon mirrorless cameras, a range of lenses, and his Outex waterproof camera housing, Colin dives into one of the coldest and most photogenic bodies of water on Earth to tell stories few photographers dare to chase.

The Majesty of Lake Superior

Stretching over 32,000 square miles, Lake Superior is the largest freshwater lake in the world. Its vast expanse behaves more like an ocean—unpredictable, cold, and endlessly inspiring. “Being in the lake is humbling,” Colin explains. “The smell of the sea caves, the textures of the rocks, the calm before dawn—it all blends into a shared sense of awe.”

It’s that sense of awe that drives Colin to wake before sunrise, gear up, and wade into freezing water to capture the perfect shot.

The Shot That Defined the Experience

One of Colin’s most unforgettable moments came one February morning. “I wasn’t planning to find a cave,” he recalls, “but I noticed icicles hanging from a cliff. Beneath them was a narrow opening—and I swam under.”

Inside, he found a frozen world glowing with ethereal light. As the sun rose, the icicles lit up in shades of pink and gold. “I found a gap between the icicles, framing a cliff face. That image is one of my favorites—it’s not just beautiful, it’s personal.”

That shot would go on to define Colin’s signature style: immersive, natural, and unflinchingly brave.

Shooting Techniques: Above, Below, and Beyond

Colin’s underwater workflow revolves around three main compositions:

• Reflection Shots: Capturing perfect mirror images by angling his Outex housing toward the water’s surface.

• Wave Photography: Freezing the motion and energy of Lake Superior’s powerful swells.

• Over-Under Split Shots: His favorite—showing both the world above and below the surface in a single frame.

“Lake Superior is stunning both above and below the water,” Colin explains. “Split shots tell the full story of a place.”

It’s not easy. Water droplets, temperature, and buoyancy all present challenges. “A simple trick I use to keep the front port clear of droplets is to lick the glass,” he laughs. “It sounds strange, but it works!”

Why Colin Trusts Outex

Whether battling sub-zero waves or standing in a storm, Colin relies on Outex waterproof housings to protect his cameras and lenses from water, ice, and spray—without adding bulk.

“The small, lightweight design lets me move easily between underwater and landscape shots,” he says. “I can keep my usual workflow and stay creative, no matter the conditions.”

That versatility means Colin doesn’t just survive Lake Superior’s challenges—he thrives in them.

Pushing Boundaries, One Shot at a Time

From frozen caves to crashing surf, Colin Willemsen proves that age and conditions are no limits when passion meets preparation. His stunning underwater and shoreline compositions showcase the wild, emotional beauty of one of Earth’s most demanding environments—and how the Outex system makes it possible to capture them safely.

Follow more of Colin’s adventures and photography at colinwillemsen.com or on Instagram @colin.willemsen.

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