Strike a pose and hold your breath: Fashion models take part in stunning underwater freediving photo shoot with whale sharks




Fearless underwater models brought the worlds of fashion and the ocean together in the shoot of a lifetime by freediving with 30-foot-long whale sharks.



Instead of flaunting their curves on the catwalk like other international models, Hannah Fraser, 36, and Roberta Mancino, 32, gamely dived up to 25-feet-deep into the ocean, complete with designer attire, for a one-of-a-kind photo-session posing in the wild with the 18-tonne world's largest fish.

The sight of top-models perfectly mimicking the graceful poses of whale sharks as they swam through the tropical waters of the Philippines was the brainchild of US photographers Shawn Heinrichs, 41, and Kristian Schmidt, 35, who spent four-months planning the five-day photoshoot.

Scroll down to watch incredible photoshoot



Working in harmony: Fearless underwater models brought the worlds of fashion and the ocean together in the shoot of a lifetime by freediving with 30-foot-long whale sharks

Graceful: Underwater fashion model, Hannah Fraser, left, rises in perfect harmony with a Whale Shark in Oslob, Philippines, while base jumper, Roberta Mancino, leaps over the tail of a gulping Whale Shark



Underwater fashion: Instead of flaunting their curves on the catwalk like other international models, Hannah Fraser, 36, and Roberta Mancino, 32, gamely dived up to 25-feet-deep into the ocean

Mr Heinrichs explained how the pair of photographers decided to join forces with models Roberta and Hannah to create images that would capture the hearts of the general public and raise awareness of the plight of the gentle giants that live in the world's oceans.



'The models were incredibly eager to join this shoot,' said Mr Heinrichs .

'As well as being conventional models in the fashion industry, Hannah is a professional underwater model and Roberta a world-class base jumper.



'With that kind of background, they had the confidence necessary to make this succeed.



Working together: Underwater model, Hannah Fraser, dances in front of a passing Whale Shark in Oslob, Philippines

All in a day's work: The models had to hold their breath and stay poised under the water to make sure the photographer's got the perfect shot



New direction: Complete with designer attire, they posed for a one-of-a-kind photo-session posing in the wild with the 18-tonne world's largest fish

'During the shoot we managed to skirt thunderstorms, rough seas and occasional high winds without any incidents - we were very fortunate that the shoot went off without a hitch.



'Whale sharks are gentle animals and present zero threat to people and the fishermen we worked with welcomed us to their village.



'They helped us interact safely and respectfully with the whale sharks.'



Whale sharks are a classified as a harmless and vulnerable marine species that survive by consuming tiny sea creatures called plankton.



However they continue to be the victims of poaching, with their fins being sold in the markets of China for up to US$20,000 (£12,300).



Smooth: 'During the shoot we managed to skirt thunderstorms, rough seas and occasional high winds without any incidents - we were very fortunate that the shoot went off without a hitch,' said the photographer

Inside information: Mr Heinrichs described how they were able to take the incredible shots, by tapping into the knowledge of locals in the Philippine village of Oslob

Impact: Mr Heinrichs explained the impact their underwater fashion shoot with whale sharks has already had with viewers. 'People are blown away by the images,' he said

Behind the scenes: 'The experience, confidence and natural beauty that Hannah and Roberta brought to the project was a decisive factor in making the shoot such a huge success,' said the photographer



Mr Heinrichs described how they were able to take the incredible shots, by tapping into the knowledge of locals in the Philippine village of Oslob, where fishermen have developed a special bond with the whale sharks they share the ocean with.



'Each day the whale sharks come in to the shallow waters of the village and the fishermen feed them small handfuls of tiny shrimp,' he said.



'For a few hours a day, the whale sharks sit peacefully beneath the canoes waiting for a tasty treat.



'I had a real sense of how work with human subjects and these magnificent animals.



Link: 'People are immediately taken by the connection between these models and the sharks, the juxtaposition between these beautiful vulnerable women and these creatures of the deep,' said the photographer

Lighting: 'Managing composition, position of sunlight, and working with the models to connect with the whale sharks enabled us to really make these images shout,' said the photographer

'Combined with Kristian's expertise working with fashion models, we had all the tools necessary to get the job done.



'Managing composition, position of sunlight, and working with the models to connect with the whale sharks enabled us to really make these images shout.



'The experience, confidence and natural beauty that Hannah and Roberta brought to the project was a decisive factor in making the shoot such a huge success.'



Shawn explained the impact their underwater fashion shoot with whale sharks has already had with viewers.



'People are blown away by the images,' he said.



'Most find it hard to believe they are actually real - many people assume the models are photo-shopped into the picture.



'Though cleaned up and enhanced with colour and lighting effects as in any fashion shoot, nothing has been added to the images, including the models



'People are immediately taken by the connection between these models and the sharks, the juxtaposition between these beautiful vulnerable women and these creatures of the deep.

