Since childhood, I had always dreamt of scuba diving. In 2005, my wife and I secured our PADI Open Water SCUBA Diver rating and, in the interim, we’ve worked our way through the ranks to Advanced Open Water SCUBA Diver and Rescue Diver. Kelly was happy with Rescue Diver, but I went the rest of the way to Master Scuba Diver, the highest, non-professional certification.

As began to hone my underwater photography skills, I decided I needed to take the next step to PADI Divemaster, the first professional certification in the PADI ranks. Once I feel I have mastered the craft, if not the art, of underwater photography & videography, the Divemaster certification will allow me to teach those skills to other divers and certify them as well.

The Divemaster course was rigorous, mentally and physically. Today, I received official notice from PADI that I passed. While I am proud to add this certification to my professional credentials, I am more excited for what it means for the future. I am much more skilled and confident as a diver and look forward to helping other divers and underwater photographers improve their skills and confidence as well.