Latest Updates From Mermaid Hunter Studios

Over the years we have had much success working with professional modeling agencies finding the best raw underwater talent entering the modeling world. If need be we further train and cultivate a working relationship with the model and her agency. New talent will be showcased here when a new image has been added to the Sales Catalog.

Mermaid Hunter Studios is approaching its 50th year anniversary. During that time we have made contact with every major modeling agency around the globe. Our business request was simple - Scout and inform us when you sign true mermaids to your roster. We pay a finders fee when we book their new underwater talent.

Introducing Madison Romanova

For this introduction we need to go back in time. Mermaid Hunter Films has hosted its share of athletes and celebrities over the years. Julia Petrik was a professional freediver from Moscow that stayed with me in Key West for almost a month as we “combined my atheticism with your artistic vision” as she put it. Anyway, After keeping in touch after reading in a magazine she was swimming with beluga whales under the ice cap she told me of another pro freediver I should work with… Madison Romanova. Well, I discovered Madison was not only a professional freediver but a MUCH sought after art model by top artists around the globe. The reason I wanted to meet

her is I wanted to shoot a nude figure in the California kelp forests off Cataline Island on the west coast. And that water is almost always in the 50/60 degree range. In short - Cold! That meant I needed a special girl who could perform for long periods of time in cold water. I contacted her modeling agency and set up a meet in Paris where she was posing for several artists. She managed a front row seat to the creative process I rarely get to see.. What a beauty! What a talent! We hit it off immediately and I have had the honor of filmming this extraordinary woman many times over the years. Here are just a few images from our working together.

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Introducing Nikki Du Plessis

Definition: Muse - a person who is the source of inspiration for a creative artist. Nikki du Plessis was my muse for 15 years. This native of South Africa took my breath away when my eyes set upon her. She literally changed my life - I hired her for a 10 day shoot; showcase a brand-new Bed & Breakfast in Key West named: Mermaid Hunter. That’s right my own B & B !!!

That changed when we said hello. Read my bio in the About link above to see what happened after we said hello. Great story. Below are some of my favorite images we have made over the years. Too many for this first intro. Lots more to come for sure. Also check the book section to get the book of images we created doing The Sea Siren Project.

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Introducing Victoria Padgent

Victoria and I go back almost a decade… she was 16 and a talent I predicted would become known globally. She hails from the heart of the Netherlands, a small town called: Alkmaar. I almost take credit for her being discovered. I was doing a shoot on the Italian island of Elba when I spotted this 16 year old beauty walking/shopping with her family in the market square. I introduced myself to her father and told him what

a rare beauty his child was, and that if it suited him, he should consider, investigate whether a modeling career would fit the family order. Then, sure enough, a year later, there she was in an Elle fashion magazine gig. I made contact with her agency and we have been working together ever since. I have trained Vick to be a superior freediver. This shoot is different as she poses in the Florida freshwater springs… So Cold !!!

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Introducing Tatiana Bardot

The Bora Bora Modeling Agency notified me they just signed a new model/mermaid originally from Paris, France, named Tatiana Bardot. She was a competative sychronized swimmer and brings experience as a bikini model that wants to specialize in watersport bookings.

The agency sent a few photos of her past work, and, we agreed she has great potential as a future star at Mermaid Hunter. I made contact, had a lovely conversation with Tatiana and booked her for an open ocean shoot last October. This gallery showcases her talent and her promise.

This Print is Now For Sale - Check Out the Prints Link in the Menu Above

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Introducing Carmen Diaz

Carmen Diaz is a 21 year old Cuban born mermaid living in Miami, working as a swimming pool area manager & lifeguard at a posh Miami Beach condominum complex. She knew of Mermaid Hunter Key West but never had the courage to make contact until mid-year 2025.

I’m glad she did as Carmen has become a sought after model/mermaid in, not only the Miami area but on both East and West coasts. At my pushing she finally approached a legit model agency and was signed immediately. Way to go ! Carmen. Below are test and training photos.

This Print is Now For Sale - Check Out the Prints Link in the Menu Above

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Introducing Zoe Ziegler

Zoe Ziegler is swimsuit model hailing from Dallas, Texas. She is 22 years old and a Texas U student majoring in Broadcast & Film. She is a standout swimmer holding several titles in the Freestyle and Breaststroke, both individual and relay. She is also an accomplished 3 M diver. Zoe credits her military dad’s tour in the Philippine Islands for her introduction to ocean saltwater and a variety of watersports such as freediving, SCUBA, and ocean swimming. Zoe plans a Doctorate degree in filmmaking and TV Production from USC Cinematic Arts.

Zoe is currently persuing a PADI dive instructor cirtificate and has a 159’ personal best freedive marker. Zoe tested so well in Key West I immediately booked her for a deep, complex, even dangerous shoot in a shipwreck 150 feet from the surface. It’s secheduled for later this year. More on that when it happens.

Zoe was invited to spend her college Spring Break in Key West on an all inclusive paid vacation providing she trained with me for 4 hours a day. Below are first photos from her time in Key West, Florida

This Print is Now For Sale - Check Out the Prints Link in the Menu Above

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