A Brief Bio:
Mark Hatter is an accomplished photojournalist who has had nearly one hundred feature articles with many hundreds of images published in more than two dozen fly fishing and diving publications over the last two decades. His most recent destination features have appeared in Alert Diver and Diver (UK) magazines.
Mark has traveled the world in pursuit of new underwater photography challenges, including cold-water destinations such as British Columbia and even Antarctica in January 2018.
“Of course, I love shooting in tropical locations but I think cold water diving is a great forcing function to hone one’s photography skills as the environment and equipment are much more demanding of a diver. Good image capture in cold water is particularly rewarding.” Mark tells us.
Mark has been shooting underwater since the early 1980s and has worked in both film and digital mediums in his photojournalism pursuits. In 35 years of diving, Mark has logged over 2000 hours, much of it doing underwater photography. Currently, he teaches underwater photography classes locally at Seminole Scuba in Lake Mary, Florida.
Upcoming Trips:
- Fakavara Grouper Spawning 2025
- June 5 - 13, 2025
- 8N From $5,450
- Experience the spectacular event that is the Grouper Spawning, where millions of eggs and sperm are released to ensure fertilization.
- Get the chance to see other pelagics such as sharks and barracudas.
- The trip is scheduled to target the exact Grouper Spawning date: June 11, 2025.
- Get a total of 20 dives in Fakarava, with Free Nitrox!
- Tanzania Big Game Safari 2025
- Aug 6 - 16, 2025
- 10N From $6,499
- All-inclusive prices, meals, and accommodations.
- Multiple National Park trips included.
- Private use of a 4x4 safari vehicle, unlimited mileage on game drives, and guaranteed window seat for all guests.
- One of the best destinations for exploring wildlife.
- Antarctica Polar Expedition 2026
- Mar 9 - 23, 2026
- 14N From $11,200
- Explore the most untouched and unspoiled territory in the world
- Includes a program of lectures led by renowned naturalists
- Travel aboard the M/V Plancius, designed for exploring remote locations and navigating through ice
- Lembeh Macro Critter Workshop 2026
- Sep 17 - 24, 2026
- 7N From $2,153
- A haven for macro photographers—Lembeh is, without doubt, the muck diving capital of the world
- Great resort (NAD Lembeh) with beachfront rooms, delicious food (all meals included), free public WiFi and a small pool
- Top dive operation in Lembeh with 2:1 divers to guide ratio
- FREE daily macro photography workshops
- Up to 21 boat dives + unlimited diving at the resort’s beautiful house reef
- Optional 3-night land extension available
- October 14 - 24, 2026
- 10N From $3,990
- Dive the world’s best shark dive in South Fiji plus the world’s best soft corals in the Bligh Waters in warm, clear water
- Learn from Bluewater’s top photo and video instructors - Nirupam Nigam and Todd Kortte
- Easy travel from the USA, stay at two of Fiji’s best dive resorts
- Bring your non-divers to experience the best snorkeling in the world at VoliVoli resort
- Unique opportunity to learn photography and GoPro skills from two of Bluewater’s best instructors
Testimonials:
- “I had the pleasure of taking a liveaboard dive trip to the Sea of Cortez with Bluewater photo workshops led by Mark Hatter. Even before the trip began, Mark reached out to understand my photo goals. Although I had been taking underwater photos for many years, I was ready to improve my skills and learn to shoot in the manual mode. Mark is a skilled underwater photographer and was eager to share his expertise with the group. As a result, Mark’s lectures were very enlightening and useful. He is an excellent instructor and can speak to all photographer levels from the novice to advanced underwater photographer. Most impressively, Mark was always accessible to help with camera setups, review photos, offer tips, and, of course, talk diving. I would recommend a Bluewater photo workshop trip led by Mark without hesitation. It was truly an amazing experience.” - Kathy Miscioscio
- "Mark was amazing on our dive trip, he had a wealth of knowledge to share and was patient and always willing to help both in and out of the water." - Sweta Bhakta
- "I signed up for a Bluewater Photo workshop last summer - it was my first photo workshop so I wasn’t sure what to expect. It was a great week of diving plus, we couldn’t have asked for a better trip leader. Mark Hatter is an incredible photographer but he’s also a patient and considerate teacher. Mark’s daily "class discussions" were informative and fun. He is extremely approachable and always ready to offer suggestions and photo tips when asked. I will definitely sign up for another photo workshop with Bluewater, especially if Mark is the trip leader." - Deedra Mansfield
- "Mark was a great trip leader. Very organized, professional, low key and personal. Was there when you needed his help/advise, very good communication skills with both guests and crew. Would definitely travel with Mark again.” - Gray Pruitt
- "We had a group of six divers on a Sea of Cortez liveaboard sponsored by Bluewater Travel in August of 2017 where Mark Hatter was the facilitator. He's a fantastic teacher! Besides leading great workshops where he shared tips and strategies, we all shared photos and he critiqued each image and gave valuable insight on how they could be enhanced. He also went above and beyond by spending one-on-one time with anyone that sought his assistance. If we were given the chance to travel on another trip with Mark, we'd be there in a heartbeat!!" - Karen & Mark Emery
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