SUNSHINE COAST, Australia " Award-winning photographer Steffen Binke has just opened an all-new underwater portrait studio on the Sunshine Coast. Steffen and his partner, Arielle, are the first in the area to offer personalized underwater portrait sessions in a swimming-pool setting.

Steffen Binke Photography maintains it sets the standard in capturing what it describes as remarkably candid moments in a dynamic environment. The service is available to anyone celebrating a big life moment"pregnancy, engagement, birthday, anniversary " or just the everyday. Steffens underwater art photography not only takes advantage of the dreamy setting, it promises ethereal and surreal results.

Steffen started his career as a photographer shooting images of minke whales, sharks, turtles and a vast variety of other marine species. More importantly, there he learned to capture the ethereal essence of lighting, and the interplay between light and reflection in this ever-changing environment.

Steffen works with subjects of all levels of comfort in the water, from 11-week-old babies taking a first dip to Olympic swimmers, and to adults who never mastered the backstroke. His success stems from his ability to make everyone comfortable in this somewhat alien setting.

So how does he do it? Whats his secret? For the most part, Binke says that he can only control 50% of the elements, so he focuses on perfecting that portion only " and the rest is serendipity.

What is ultimately stilled in images is the uniqueness of underwater magic. In the water, subjects discover a new comfort, a new freedom of movement, a new buoyancy and a new license to have fun. The beauty of the setting is how well it lends itself to the most natural expressions, newfound fluidity, the flow of gauzy fabrics and hair, and how it all delights the subjects. Underwater portrait-taking is an adventure for kids and an unforgettable experience for every adult.