Language shapes how we perceive the world.

In much of Western society, we describe non-human animals with the pronoun "what," reserving "who" exclusively for humans. But what happens when we challenge that norm? Imagine asking a crab, "Who are you?" It might seem unusual—but why? Through this series, I explore whether the pronoun "who" should transcend human boundaries, inviting viewers to consider the individuality of other creatures.

My portraits succeed when they prompt questions typically reserved for people: "What are they doing?" "What are they thinking?" "Who else lives there?"

By photographing my subjects at eye level with a 24mm or 50mm lens—closely mimicking how we naturally see the world—I offer viewers a rare, eye-to-eye encounter of a mysterious non-human world.

My approach

Capturing portraits of non-human animals demands more than technical skill—it requires understanding species behavior and respecting the dynamics of their world.

For natural expressions to emerge, animals must see me as a benign, irrelevant presence. This process takes patience. Capturing a few images often requires 2–3 hours in the water, sometimes longer. As a freediver, I do this one breath at a time, moving carefully to avoid disturbing their environment.

The welfare of my subjects is always my priority; if an animal seems uneasy, I stop immediately. Every successful portrait feels like a rare and cherished moment of trust.

Please return soon to meet more remarkable residents as this gallery grows.