A Photographer Shares What It’s Like to Swim with Humpback Whales

Here’s a beautiful 2-minute video by Great Big Story in which photographer Anuar Patjane talks about what it’s like to swim with and photograph whales in the ocean.

If anyone has the qualifications to discuss this type of magical photo, it’s Patjane. While diving near Roca Partida in the Revillagigedo Islands, Mexico, Patjane and a group of divers encountered a humpback whale and her newborn calf. Here’s one of the photos he made:

That photo was selected from over 18,000 submissions and awarded the grand prize in the prestigious 2015 National Geographic Traveler photo contest. It also won 2nd place for Nature singles in the prestigious 2016 World Press Photo competition.

Here are a couple of other photos he has captured while diving with whales, dolphins, and other sea life:

Patjane has been diving for over 17 years now, and his portfolio is remarkable. You can find galleries of his photos on his website and on Instagram.

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Image credits: Video by Great Big Story. Photos by Anuar Patjane and used with permission