Underwater Portrait: Rejuvenate a Cancer Survivors Life

Upon being diagnosed with cancer, a person will become feeling uncertain, scared, depressed and confused. This is what Erena Shimoda observed after volunteering with the American Cancer Society. Since Shimoda was an experienced diver, she thought she would help out by sharing her most loved passion – underwater photography.

For the past several years, Erena has been doing underwater portrait sessions. The subjects of her photography are those who have survived cancer. Before going into the water, she suggests that her subjects wear an outfit and other accessories that they love. The underwater photo session is done in a shallow pool where the subjects go underwater while holding their breath.

Creating self-esteem and confidence

Smiles and happy faces spread on Erena’s subjects when they saw their photographs; something they have not done in a long time.

Shimoda noticed a significant improvement to her subjects’ self-esteem and confidence because of experiencing this and since then, this photography picture taking adventure easily caught the world’s attention.

There are currently 10 cancer survivors on the western coast of the US who want to experience the underwater portrait sessions with Erena. Unfortunately the expense is too great. So Erena organized a campaign called Underwater Healer to help raise the funds and the money generated will cover both the expenses during photo sessions and also support an online community www.ihadcancer.com where cancer survivors, fighters and supporters connect with one another.

WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO HELP OUR LESS FORTUNATE WHO SUFFER WITH CANCER? DO YOU KNOW A CANCER SURVIVOR YOU CAN SHARE THIS HEALING PROCESS WITH? WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS? PLEASE SHARE IT WITH US! WE WILL BE HAPPY TO HEAR FROM YOU!