About Serge

I photograph the ocean as an origin — a place where the human and the living breathe together.

Biography

I’m not just a photographer. I’m a witness — a silent observer of moments that disappear if no one slows down to see them. My journey began in the lagoon of Wallis, one of the most pristine marine sanctuaries on Earth — a place that sparked my lifelong commitment to tell ocean stories through light, silence, and motion.

At Pacific Blue Prod, I create photographs and films that reveal the fragile beauty of the underwater world. From reef turtles to the vanishing silhouettes of dolphins and sharks, my work explores where beauty meets memory — and where our choices decide what remains.

I believe that knowledge is the beginning of protection. Inspired by Cousteau’s words, my mission is to awaken curiosity and understanding — because we only protect what we love, and we only love what we truly know. Through educational projects with youth and local associations, each image becomes an invitation to learn, to feel, and to act. Every encounter with the ocean is, and will always be, a lesson in respect.

Publications

Serge Melesan is a regular contributor to leading international media focused on ocean conservation and environmental storytelling.

Earth.org – Contributor
View all articles by Serge Melesan on Earth.org →

Oceanographic Magazine – Contributor

• Mayotte’s Ocean Heritage and the Chance to Change Everything
• Guardians of the Lagoon – Green Sea Turtles of Mayotte

National Geographic Traveller (UK)
Portfolio Winner – Photography Awards 2023 →

Awards & Recognition

Master Award

National Geographic Traveller (UK) — Portfolio Winner (2023)

National Geographic Traveller Photography Awards — Portfolio Category

Recognised by major international competitions and institutions including:

• Siena Awards — multiple honors photos and videos (2020–2025)
• Underwater Photographer of the Year – Black & White (2024)
• Montier en Der – Nature Photo Festival (2023, 2025)
• Ocean Geographic – Photo of the Year (2023–2025)
• Wildlife Monochrome Awards – Gold (2019)
• Ocean Art – Honourable Mention 2021, 3rd Place B&W 2023
• 100 for the Ocean – Contributor (2024)
• Paris Dive Show – Winner 2024

Publications ​& Partners
My work has been published and supported by international organisations, conservation programmes and media. Each collaboration contributes to a shared goal — protecting ocean life through storytelling.

You can also explore my stock photography collections here:

→ View on Alamy

Serge Melesan est également référencé parmi les photographes animaliers sur le site Faune Sauvage.

Fine Art Ocean Photography – Exhibitions & Interviews

Discover exclusive insights and stories behind the award-winning fine art ocean photography by Serge Melesan. Recognized internationally for his captivating marine wildlife imagery, Serge shares his passion for ocean conservation through exhibitions and interviews.

Interviews & Features

• Shades of Colors – Issue 18, Fine Art Ocean Photography Feature
• Faune Sauvage – Print & Digital Wildlife Photography Interview
• 1X Magazine – Photographer Spotlight Interview

Exhibitions

• I Wonder if You Can – Siena Festival Award, 28 Sept – 24 Nov 2024
• Festival International Montier-en-Der – 17-19 Nov 2023, 20-23 Nov 2025
• Festival Image Sous-Marine Mayotte – May 2022, 2023, 2024
• Festival Galathea Hyères – November 2020, 2022, 2023
• Chester Cathedral – June 2021 (TPOTY)
• Coal Drops Yard, London – 12 May to 11 June 2021 (TPOTY)
• Sharjah, UAE – 10–13 February 2021 (TPOTY)
• Big Screen Plaza, New York – For Wildlife, 2020
• Art Gallery 514, Edinburgh – Ocean Photography Exhibition, 1–30 June 2021
• La Provence Sous-Marine, Avignon – 2020
• Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris – Plongée découverte des récifs d’Outre-Mer et d’Israël
• Festival Image Sous-Marine, Nouméa – 2019, 2022, 2024
• Festival Image Sous-Marine, Strasbourg – 2018, 2019

Photography Gear: My Underwater & Wildlife Setup with Lumix S1

Every image is shaped by the tools that make it possible. I rely on the Lumix S1 system for its color depth, dynamic range, and reliability underwater — a balance between precision and endurance.

• Lumix S1 with Leica Pro lenses — 16–35mm, 24–105mm, 70–200mm, 140–400mm
• Lumix 100mm Macro f/2.8 — for close-up marine life and fine textures
• Atomos Ninja Ultra (ProRes external recorder) — ensures cinematic color fidelity in 10-bit
• Marelux Soft Pro Snoot — creative control for isolated light and composition
• DJI Mini 3 Pro drone, Ronin-S gimbal & DJI Mic — for aerial and topside storytelling
• LaCie SSD Pro — secure on-field backup workflow
• Nauticam housing for Lumix S1 — precision-engineered for depth and stability
• Ikelite DS160 strobe & Weefine 10 000 lumens video lights — versatile lighting balance between stills and motion

My setup evolves with each expedition, but the philosophy stays the same: use technology to serve emotion and truth — never the other way around.