Renowned Photographer Jason Vinson Takes His Creativity Underwater with Outex
Aug 20, 2026
Jason Vinson Takes His Creative Photography Into Any Environmental Condition, Including Underwater with Outex
What happens when an award-winning photographer known for creative lighting, storytelling and unconventional perspectives takes his camera underwater?
For photographer and educator Jason Vinson of Vinson Images, the answer is what you might expect: the water becomes another creative environment to explore.
Jason recently shared new underwater photography created using his Outex Camera Pro Kit, offering another example of why photographers don't necessarily have to change their cameras—or the way they like to shoot—when their creative ideas take them into the water.
And when the photographer behind the camera has spent years teaching other professionals about light, composition, equipment and creative technique, his choice of underwater photography gear is particularly meaningful.
Who Is Jason Vinson?
Based in Northwest Arkansas, Jason Vinson is an accomplished wedding, documentary and portrait photographer behind Vinson Images. But describing Jason simply as a wedding photographer doesn't really capture the breadth of his work.
Jason is known for combining authentic moments with dramatic, highly creative portraiture. His photographs frequently make use of unusual perspectives, carefully controlled lighting, strong compositions and environments that become an active part of the image rather than simply a background. Before becoming a full-time photographer, Jason spent nearly a decade working as a mechanical engineer—a background that perhaps helps explain the technical curiosity that accompanies his creative approach.
Today, photography isn't simply his profession. Jason is also deeply involved in photography education and the broader professional imaging community. He is a longtime contributor and Staff Writer for Fstoppers, where he has published hundreds of articles covering photography techniques, equipment, lighting, editing, workflow and the creative process.
He's also an educator who teaches photographers how to recognize and manipulate light, improve composition and create images that stand apart. That combination—working photographer, technical problem solver, creative artist and educator—is one reason we're proud to have Jason as an Outex Ambassador.
Taking Creativity Below the Surface
Underwater photography presents photographers with an interesting opportunity. Put a camera at—or beneath—the surface of the water and suddenly almost everything changes. Light behaves differently. Movement changes. Reflections appear and disappear. Familiar subjects take on unfamiliar characteristics. Even something as simple as camera position can produce an image that would be impossible to create on land.
For photographers like Jason, those differences aren't necessarily obstacles. They're creative opportunities. And that's exactly the philosophy behind Outex. Rather than forcing photographers into a completely different photographic system when they enter the water, Outex is designed to allow photographers to continue using the cameras, lenses and photographic techniques they already know. That means the creative process can remain focused on the photograph rather than the housing.
Why Experienced Photographers Choose Outex
There are many ways to put a camera underwater. But professional photographers often have requirements that go well beyond simply keeping a camera dry.
- They want access to their camera controls.
- They want to use the lenses they already own.
- They want optical quality worthy of modern professional cameras.
- They want to travel without carrying another large, heavy piece of specialized equipment.
- And perhaps most importantly, they don't want their underwater equipment dictating what they can create.
That's where the Outex approach is different.
Keep Using Your Camera
Outex's universal, flexible design allows photographers to operate their cameras through the housing rather than placing them inside a large rigid enclosure with a limited set of mechanical controls. You can see and operate the camera while it's protected. For an experienced photographer accustomed to changing settings instinctively, that's a significant advantage.
Keep Using Your Lenses
Different photographs require different perspectives. Outex's modular lens-port system accommodates a broad range of lenses and filter-thread sizes, allowing photographers to configure the housing around the camera and lens combination appropriate for the photograph. That's especially valuable for photographers whose creativity depends on lens choice rather than a predetermined underwater setup.
Optical Glass Where Image Quality Matters
Outex uses optical glass ports designed to preserve the quality photographers expect from their cameras and lenses. After all, protecting an expensive camera doesn't accomplish much if the material placed in front of the lens compromises the photograph.
A System That Travels
Jason photographs professionally and travels for assignments, weddings, workshops and personal projects. Outex packs into a fraction of the space of many traditional rigid underwater housings, making it particularly useful for photographers who want underwater capability without dedicating a significant portion of their luggage to specialized equipment. The housing can effectively become another creative tool in the camera bag.
Underwater Photography Doesn't Have to Become a Different Kind of Photography
One of the most interesting things about seeing photographers like Jason use Outex is that they don't suddenly become "underwater photographers."
They're photographers who can now work underwater.
That's an important distinction.
- A wedding photographer can create portraits in a pool.
- A sports photographer can move into the water with athletes.
- A commercial photographer can build images around splashes, reflections and water.
- A travel photographer can photograph above and below the surface.
- A portrait photographer can experiment with movement, fabric, light and weightlessness.
- And an experienced visual storyteller like Jason Vinson can simply add another environment to the places where he creates photographs.
- The camera doesn't have to change.
- The photographer doesn't have to change.
The possibilities do.
Learn From Photographers Who Actually Use Their Gear
Jason's relationship with Outex also reflects something important about the Outex Ambassador community. Every one of our ambassadors started as customers. They are not paid personalities appearing next to a product. Outex relationships have historically grown from photographers actually using the system, experimenting with it and discovering what it allows them to create. These relationships are genuine, in-depth, long term, and built on recognized value.
That matters because professional photographers understand the equipment differently. They're not just "creating content, reviews, or advertising". They are helping educate and inspire a community of content creators discover good solutions for their creative needs. And they discover the little things.
- How does it travel?
- How quickly can you adapt a setup?
- Can you operate the controls you actually use?
- Can you change lenses or camera bodies as your work evolves?
- Can the system accommodate a tripod, lighting, tethering or other accessories?
And ultimately: Does the equipment help you make photographs you couldn't—or wouldn't—have made otherwise?
A Different Perspective Can Change Everything
Jason's work has long demonstrated that memorable photographs often come from looking at familiar situations differently. Sometimes that's accomplished through light. Sometimes through composition. Sometimes timing. Sometimes through the choice of lens or camera position.
We're excited to see Jason continuing to experiment with Outex and even more excited to see where he takes it next. Because ultimately, that's what Outex was designed to do. Not simply protect cameras from water.
Help photographers put cameras in places where great photographs happen.
Explore More
See Jason's work: Vinson Images
Follow Jason: @vinsonimages_jason on Instagram
Read Jason's photography articles: Fstoppers
Meet more photographers: Outex Ambassador Community
Explore the system: Outex Camera Pro Kit
Have an idea that involves water? Don't change your creative vision to accommodate your equipment. Build an Outex system around the camera and lens you already use.