Renee Capozzola is a conservation-oriented, award-winning underwater photographer who specializes in wide angle and split-level images. Her work is an intriguing combination of artistic talent honed through oil painting during her youth and a professional background in biology.
As a Southern California native, the ocean has always been a large part of her life. Since she started scuba diving in 2004, she has been to some of the most remote parts of the world and developed a true appreciation for marine organisms with her diversified travels. Renee believes that striking images help increase awareness of our fragile marine ecosystems and encourage others to help protect our oceans.
To that end, her images have won over fifty prestigious international awards, some of which include "Underwater Photographer of the Year 2021" in the Underwater Photographer of the Year competition, the "Female Fifty Fathoms Award" from Blancpain through the 2021 Ocean Photography Awards, "USA Photographer of the Year" in the 2019 World Shootout, the David Doubilet Award of Excellence in the Portfolio category of the 2020 Ocean Geographic Pictures of the Year, first place in the 2023 Nature Photographer of the Year, first place in the 2022 Ocean Art Photo Competition, first place in the 2022, 2019, and 2017 Ocean Geographic Pictures of the Year, first place in the 2021 and 2019 United Nations World Oceans Day Photo Competitions, first place in the 2018 Big Picture Natural World Photography Competition, and the Best In Show award at Beneath The Sea in 2017.
Renee's images have also appeared throughout the world in leading publications including National Geographic in print, and she has been featured by multiple news outlets such as CNN, USA Today, BBC News, People, the Today Show, the Kelly Clarkson Show, and France 2. Renee currently serves as a Brand Ambassador for SEACAM and is a Fellow of The Explorers Club. In recent years, Renee has been invited to judge several photo competitions and speak at many in-person and online events. Some of the exhibitions that have featured Renee's work include the 2023 Ocean Photographer of the Year at the National Maritime Museum in Sydney, the 2021 Ocean Photography Awards on the Queen's Walk in London, the 2023 and 2022 Siena Awards "Imagine All the People" in Siena, Ocean Geographic's "Elysium Heart of the Coral Triangle" in Sydney, Singapore, and Shanghai, and the International Photography Awards 2017 curated Best of Show Exhibition in New York City, Tokyo, Paris, and Moscow.
When Renee is not in the water with her camera, she enjoys diving with her husband and two sons, speaking about conservation and photography, and educating others about the challenges facing our oceans and the importance of preserving marine ecosystems.
Renee photographing a playful humpback calf in Moorea, French Polynesia.
Renee Capozzola
Fine Underwater Photography