Mike Coots is a photographer, adaptive surfer and shark advocate, travelling the world and capturing these vital species with the hope to change the way people see view sharks. Mike Coots is the ambassador for the GROUNDTRUTH x PADI UNDA range of submersible dry bags made from 100% recycled materials.
HOW SHARK PHOTOGRAPHY TURNS FEAR INTO FASCINATION
Words and shark photography by Mike Coots
It’s easy to forget what we don’t see every day. For many, the ocean is just an idea—something glimpsed from an airplane window or a distant stretch of blue on coastal road trip. Sharks, whales, coral reefs—these aren’t part of their daily lives. They exist in documentaries, Instagram reels, or maybe on the walls of an aquarium. But that disconnect has real consequences. If people don’t feel a personal stake in nature, they’re less likely to fight for its protection.
That’s where photography comes in. A single image has the power to stop someone in their tracks, to make them feel something. A great photograph doesn’t just document—it transports. It can make the viewer feel the weight of a moment, the presence of an animal, or the sheer vastness of the ocean. And when done right, it can shift perspectives.
I’ve had the privilege of staring into the eyes of some of the most misunderstood animals on the planet. Sharks—apex predators; icons of fear, yet some of the most graceful creatures I’ve ever encountered. When I photograph a great white or a tiger shark, my goal isn’t just to capture their raw power but to show their true nature. They aren’t mindless killers. They are crucial players in the balance of marine ecosystems. And they are disappearing.
A well-composed portrait of a shark can tell a story. The details—the texture of their skin, the curiosity in their gaze, the way light dances across the water—these are the elements that make people pause and rethink what they thought they knew. When someone looks at a shark photograph and sees something beyond fear—when they see intelligence, beauty, even vulnerability—that’s when change happens.
Photography is a conversation starter. I’ve seen it firsthand. At gallery shows, I watch as people step closer to a print, studying the details. Sometimes, they start with hesitation, expecting to see something menacing. But then comes the shift—the recognition of something deeper. They ask questions. They want to know more.
That curiosity is the first step toward conservation. Because when people feel a connection, they care. When they care, they act. Maybe they start by rethinking the seafood they consume. Maybe they support policies that protect marine habitats. Maybe they teach their kids that sharks aren’t monsters but vital, awe-inspiring creatures that deserve respect.
Beyond the image itself, storytelling matters. A single frame is powerful, but pairing it with the story of how it was captured—what was happening in that moment, what’s at stake for that animal or ecosystem—adds another layer of impact. When I talk about photographing a massive 16-foot female great white in New Zealand, I don’t just describe her size. I talk about how it felt to be in the water with her, how her presence was commanding yet calm, how she moved with a confidence that only comes from millions of years of evolution. I talk about how these sharks are being killed for their fins, their populations dwindling despite their importance to the ocean.
People might not remember a statistic about declining shark populations, but they’ll remember a story. They’ll remember the image. And that’s what sticks with them long after they’ve left the gallery or scrolled past a post.
We live in a time where it’s easy to become numb to environmental destruction. Headlines about climate change, deforestation, and species loss are constant, and people tune them out. But art—photography—can break through that noise. It can remind people that nature isn’t just something “out there.” It’s connected to all of us. The health of the oceans affects the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the future we’re building for the next generation.
Through photography, I want to bridge that gap. I want to make people feel something real. Because when we feel, we act. And right now, action is exactly what our planet needs.
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