Underwater photographer and writer Walt Stearns has been a staple on the diving scene for more than three decades. He is best known for his stunning cover images and feature editorials in publications ranging from Skin Diver, Ocean Realm, Discover Diving, and Sport Diver Magazines to his current position as editor for Scuba Diver Magazine’s North America publication.
Walt’s writing and imagery have also graced the pages of numerous magazines such as Boating, Boating Life, Motor Boating, SaltWater Sportsman, Sport Fishing, Field & Stream, Marlin, Saltwater Fly Fishing, Men’s Health, Men’s Journal, Outdoor Photographer, Caribbean Travel & Life, Florida Travel and Life and Islands Magazine.
Walt maintains his blog site, UnderwaterJournal.com, and together with his wife, Karen, has created and managed an array of marketing initiatives and campaigns for Wakatobi Dive Resort, Caradonna Dive Adventures, the Palm Beach County Diving Association, Author Charles Todd, and the Masonic Lodge of Jupiter Florida.
Walt has a degree in zoology and background in oceanographic science and has been called upon by conservation groups such as Pew Research, the Ocean Conservancy, the Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission and Florida State University Marine and Coastal Research Department to help bring specific goals in marine management to light. He has participated in a number of successful marine endowment programs. Among the most successful were the continuation of the Atlantic Goliath Grouper’s protected status in both State and Federal waters, the placement of Lemon sharks in 2010 as a protected species in Florida State waters and preventing the reintroduction of fish trapping in the Gulf of Mexico. He continues to be highly involved in the protection of the Goliath Grouper.
Walt is both a certified cave and rebreather diver as well as a recipient of SSI’s Platinum Pro5000, which he received in 1999. His background and skills in underwater photography and technical diving have also led to his participation in several documentary film projects beginning with Discovery Channel’s African Shark Safari and Mystery of the Whale Cave in 1994. More recent productions include work for the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC’s) Plant Earth series as well as other film projects and Flag Expeditions for the Explorer's Club.
Walt has been using Nauticam housings for over a decade. Walt’s first introduction to Nauticam housings was with both the Nikon D300 and D500. He currently shoots with a Nikon D850 in a Nauticam housing with lighting provided by Retra strobes.
To see more of Walt’s work click on any of the links below:
Scuba Diver Magazine
Palm Beach County Diving Association
Wakatobi Dive Resort
Wakatobi Flow