Shane Gross
Shane Gross is a Canadian conservation photojournalist specialising in underwater photography and marine conservation. His images reveal the hidden beauty of aquatic life while highlighting the urgent need to protect ocean and freshwater ecosystems. He is an Associate Fellow of the International League of Conservation Photographers and co-founder of the Canadian Conservation Photographers Collective.
In 2024, Shane was named Adult Grand Title Winner of Wildlife Photographer of the Year. His book Bahamas Underwater supports ocean education and conservation in partnership with the Bahamas Reef Environment Educational Foundation.
Shane Gross’s path to ocean conservation began far from the sea in landlocked Regina, Canada. From a young age, he was fascinated by sharks and marine life and immersed himself in ocean-themed books and documentaries. At 15, he became a certified diver in the Bahamas and took his first underwater photographs. After graduating from the Hill and Levene School of Business at the University of Regina, Shane travelled to Australia, where he committed fully to a life of ocean exploration and visual storytelling.
He became a SCUBA instructor and relocated to the Bahamas, where he spent nearly a decade documenting one of the world’s most vibrant marine environments. Working alongside scientists and conservation groups, he used his photography to spotlight pressing ecological issues—from habitat loss and overfishing to coral bleaching and pollution. His work has been published internationally and exhibited widely, drawing public attention to the fragile beauty of the ocean.
Shane’s images go beyond aesthetics; they are part of a mission to drive policy change, support science, and engage communities. Through education, storytelling, and direct conservation impact, he continues to champion a future where both people and marine life can thrive.
A core part of Shane Gross’s legacy in The Bahamas is his book Bahamas Underwater, a collaboration with the Bahamas Reef Environment Educational Foundation. The book was distributed to every school in the country, and funds raised from its sales help support youth sea camps, where local children are guided by marine biologists into the ocean, often for the first time. These efforts reflect Shane’s belief in conservation that begins with connection—where education, access, and direct experience lead to long-term environmental stewardship.
Since leaving The Bahamas in 2020, Shane has continued to expand his work across Canadian waters and beyond, bringing attention to freshwater ecosystems and coastal and oceanic habitats. As a co-founder of the Canadian Conservation Photographers Collective, he supports a growing network of visual storytellers committed to protecting natural heritage through impactful imagery.
Shane’s work fuses science and art. He collaborates closely with researchers and local communities, using his photography to inform public understanding and influence conservation policy. Whether documenting shark behaviour, seagrass meadows, or disappearing freshwater species, Shane’s images speak to both the wonder and the urgency of ocean conservation in a rapidly changing world.
Book – Bahamas Underwater
