"Golden Gem" by Tatyanna, 15 | Under the Surface 2019

Under the Surface, I felt love, like the water was there to protect me and the fish were there to guard me. I got so comfortable that when it was time to get out, I did not want to. In my whole experience with underwater photography, I never was uncomfortable in the water and I always felt safe. I always had this feeling in my heart that everything was going to be okay, like my life is not a waste and I have people that want to see me succeed. I can make it through anything I put my mind to.

About Tatyanna: Hi, my name is Tatyanna. When I learned that I was going to do underwater photography with real live fish, I was so scared because I’d never done anything like that before. I live in the Twin Cities and the only fish I see are the ones I am about to eat. I never saw live fish before the first day of underwater photography. But I am telling you that something happened to me when I was in the water. It changed me for the better and it did change my life. I loved every second in the water and I will not change it for the world. That is how Under the Surface changed my life.