Belgian photographer and Austrian freediver break world record for underwater photoshoot

Belgian photographer Filip Blommaert and Austrian free diver Christin Gerstorfer broke the world record for the deepest underwater photo shoot at a depth of 45.4 metres. VRT reported this on Tuesday afternoon.

Deepspot, a diving training centre in Warsaw, Poland, boasts the deepest pool in Europe and was the location for Blommaert's most recent and record-breaking photoshoot. His idea to do a project at this depth came when he recently photographed the world record holder for women's freediving, Alessia Zecchini, in the Philippines. Austrian record holder Gerstofer was at the shoot as well and shared in Blommaert's ambition. The two kept in touch and began looking for a suitable location.

Gerstofer's current record is 65 metres, and she felt capable of posing for a photoshoot at 45 metres, which would top the previous record of 40 metres.

“This is not just about setting a record; it’s about merging art with the extreme," Blommaert said ahead of the photoshoot. "We are pushing the limits of what’s possible in fashion photography, taking it to depths never before explored. With Christin’s extraordinary diving skills and Marike’s makeup artistry, I believe we will create something truly spectacular that will resonate within both the fashion and diving communities.”

On 25 August, the team gathered at Deepspot. "Arranging the logistics was quite an operation," Blommaert told VRT. "You have the diving, but also the equipment, the outfits, the makeup..."

Blommaert dove to the bottom of the pool first using an oxygen tank and was accompanied by another diver. He then quickly checked his equipment and performed tests while waiting for Gerstorfer to descend. Her dive took a little over two minutes and she used weights to reach the bottom of the pool faster. With two different ensembles, the pair did two rounds of photos that lasted about one minute each.

While Blommaert and Gerstorfer have to wait for the official recognition from Guinness World Records, they are not worried about any problems prohibiting them from the title. The entire endeavour was filmed, a lawyer was present and a logbook was kept.

Regardless of the outcome, Blommaert has already set his sights on his next record-breaking event, saying, "Next year, I would like to do a photoshoot under the ice. And I would like to improve the depth record to 60 meters. The dream is to go to 100 meters one day. I like to challenge myself."

^{​A diver is seen in at Deepspot, the deepest pool in Europe ​ ©PHOTO WOJTEK RADWANSKI / AFP}