MAY 12TH 2026, 6.45PM: VIRTUAL MEETING BY ZOOM
BELLA ZADONA: God's Pocket/Cold Water Diving
This talk explores what it takes to photograph underwater in Antarctica, one of the most extreme environments on Earth. Through a series of field stories, Isabella Zandona breaks down the realities behind the images, from gear preparation and failure points to decision-making under pressure and ethical challenges in wildlife encounters. While set in Antarctica, the lessons apply directly to underwater photographers and divers working in any environment, where preparation, awareness, and restraint often matter more than the shot itself.
Isabella Zandona is a 24 year old marine biologist and underwater photographer based in Seattle. Originally from São Paulo, Brazil, she dives locally in the Pacific Northwest and internationally, working in cold, warm, and polar environments. Her photography focuses on behavior, detail, and storytelling.
After receiving a grant through Blue Green Expeditions, she spent January diving in Antarctica, where she documented both wildlife and the realities of working in one of the most extreme environments on Earth.
