For the Under the Surface project, we went far beyond the boundaries of a traditional photo shoot - both literally and creatively. A massive 4 x 4 meter aquarium was specially rented for this ambitious production, transforming a simple concept into an immersive underwater stage.
The star of the shoot was the latex fictional character "Chrissie Seams," brought to life in a full-body, high-gloss latex suit. Shooting her underwater presented an extraordinary challenge. Latex, by nature, is restrictive and airtight - difficult enough to wear on land for extended periods. Submerged, it becomes something else entirely: a second skin that tightens with pressure, limiting breath, mobility, and sensory feedback. Every breath had to be precisely timed, every movement carefully choreographed between takes.
Chrissie didn’t just wear the suit - she became the character. Floating in this vast, silent, alien environment, she embodied a being from another realm - serene, surreal, and suspended in a dreamlike state. The water distorted light, color, and movement in ways that gave the images an almost painterly, otherworldly quality. Bubbles became accents. Ripples turned into texture. The silence, the tension, the surreal beauty - everything combined into something far beyond standard fashion or portrait photography.
From a technical standpoint, this shoot pushed everyone involved to their limits. Coordinating lighting underwater, managing the risks of long submersion in latex, ensuring safety while maintaining artistic vision - it was a test of patience, precision, and creative endurance.
But the results were worth it. What we captured wasn’t just a series of photographs. It was a visual poem from beneath the surface - a story told in silence, slow motion, and shimmering latex. A strange and beautiful descent into the unknown.
Frank Lübke