We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Francesca. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Francesca below.

Francesca, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

The idea grew organically from my background as a scuba diving instructor and my early years in underwater photography. After traveling the world and photographing marine life, I became deeply familiar with the beauty of the underwater world. When I moved to Mexico and began spending more time in cenotes, I was completely captivated by them, but I also felt that something was missing.

I realized that while cenotes were visually stunning, they felt incomplete without a human presence. I began experimenting by photographing friends underwater, and that’s when everything clicked. The combination of water, light, and the human body created images that felt emotional, powerful, and deeply personal.

Over time, I also noticed how transformative the experience was for the women I photographed, especially those who had never imagined themselves underwater or in front of a camera at all. What started as a creative experiment slowly evolved into a concept focused on empowerment, self-confidence, and helping women see themselves in a completely new way. That realization became the foundation of my work today.

Francesca, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am an Italian underwater photographer based in the Riviera Maya, and I consider myself incredibly fortunate to be able to pursue my passion full time. My journey into this field began through scuba diving, which allowed me to explore the underwater world long before I ever picked up a camera. Over time, photography became not just a profession but a powerful tool for self-expression, personal growth, and connection with others.

Underwater photography has shaped me both professionally and personally, and it has become a way for me to create art that celebrates human beauty in all its forms, beyond size, color, or convention. My work is centered on empowering primarily women, although everyone is welcome, and helping them feel confident, strong, and beautiful. For many of my clients, the transformation doesn’t come only from the final images, but from the experience itself, stepping into an environment they may have never imagined themselves capable of being in.
I offer artistic underwater photography sessions in the cenotes of the Riviera Maya, designed to be accessible to everyone, regardless of swimming ability. What I provide goes far beyond a traditional photoshoot. Each session is a carefully guided experience that allows clients to feel safe, supported, and confident underwater. The result is not only a set of unique portraits but also an unforgettable memory tied to one of the most breathtaking natural settings in the world.

What sets my work apart is my approach. I specialize in working with people who may feel nervous, inexperienced, or unsure of themselves in the water. I’ve developed techniques that allow even non-swimmers to pose underwater, and I guide my clients every step of the way. Watching someone face a fear, step out of their comfort zone, and see themselves transformed through my images is the most rewarding part of my work.

I’m especially proud of having built my business from the ground up, from photographing friends purely out of passion to working on large projects for internationally recognized brands. Photography and art have taught me to trust myself and believe in my vision, and that is something I strive to pass on to my clients. I want them to leave not only with images that feel almost unreal but also with a renewed sense of confidence; proof that they are stronger and braver than they ever thought possible. My work is about making art and empowerment accessible and showing that this experience truly is within reach for everyone.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I believe what has helped me build a strong reputation within my market is the overall experience my clients have from the very first point of contact. From the beginning, my team and I focus on clear, efficient, and thoughtful communication. We take the time to answer every question in detail and always follow up when needed, so clients feel informed, supported, and confident before they ever step into the water.

The photoshoot experience itself is a key element. Many of my clients arrive feeling nervous or unsure about posing underwater, and we approach each session with patience, care, and empathy. Safety is a top priority for me, so there is always a dedicated safety assistant by the client’s side, which allows them to relax, feel secure, and fully enjoy the experience.

Of course, delivering exceptional images is essential. The goal of every session is to create photographs of the highest quality, and my years of experience have allowed me to refine both my technical skills and artistic vision. This attention to detail and consistency has helped me meet, and often exceed, the expectations of even the most demanding clients.

Social media has also played an important role in building my reputation. It has allowed me to share my work and passion with a wider audience, while my clients organically share their own images and experiences. I’m proud to have received over 100 five-star reviews on Google, which has helped new clients find and trust my work.

At the heart of everything I do is genuine passion for my craft. Creating a meaningful, safe, and empowering experience for my clients is always my top priority, and I believe that authenticity is what people connect with most.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Starting a business from zero always comes with challenges, but building a career in a field that essentially didn’t exist yet added an entirely different level of difficulty. When I began, underwater photography in the area was almost exclusively focused on scuba diving or freediving. Underwater portrait photography simply wasn’t something people were doing, and that meant there was no clear roadmap to follow.

There was a lot of internal uncertainty along the way. I often questioned whether it was realistic to make a living from such a niche idea and whether it was worth committing to it 100%. Choosing to fully focus on something so new required a great deal of faith in myself and in my vision, especially when results didn’t come immediately.
One of the biggest challenges was learning how to position my work. I realized I needed to communicate my services in different ways; on one hand, for travelers visiting the Riviera Maya who were looking for a unique experience, and on the other, for clients seeking something deeper and more artistic, like fine art portraits. Finding a balance between those two worlds took time, experimentation, and resilience.

Because I was the first to do this in my niche, opportunities didn’t come through traditional channels. I had to create them myself, through education, trial and error, and constant self-reflection. It required a lot of inner work, learning to trust my instincts and continue even when things felt uncertain or overwhelming.

Ironically, as underwater portrait photography became more popular, a new challenge emerged: competition. Seeing others attempt to replicate what I had built forced me to strengthen my confidence even more. Instead of letting it discourage me, I chose to focus on continuous growth, improving not only my skills behind the camera, but also my leadership, my marketing abilities, and my role as the head of a team.

This journey has taught me that resilience isn’t about avoiding doubt or fear; it’s about continuing to move forward despite them. Every challenge pushed me to grow both personally and professionally, and that inner strength is what continues to guide my work today.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.franreinaphotography.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cenote_portraits/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cenoteportraits
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/francesca-reina-5a00911a2/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@franreinaphotography

Image Credits

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