Print size: 87 x 58 cm - Archival pigment print on cotton rag paper
Limited Edition of 5 

Print size: 157 x 105 cm - Archival pigment print on cotton rag paper
Limited Edition of 3

A Juvenile humpback whale photographed post breach. Tonga, Vava’u 2014

One of my most memorable moments in nature happened on the very first day of swimming with humpback whales in Tonga, Vava’u. A baby humpback whale breached just metres away from us and the force of the water pushed us away and covered us in thousands of tiny bubbles. It was special to be able to experience nature in this way.

Young calves are often seen breaching and displaying similar behaviours to their mums - they play and imitate while they learn how to navigate the ocean. For the first year of the calf’s life, mum will always be close while at the same time allowing the young calf to explore its new environment.

The Humpback whale is a gentle and aware creature that can be incredibly accepting of our presence in their own vulnerable environment.

Michaela Skovranova is an Australia-based artist working in the field of photography and film. Michaela's work has focused on capturing intimate environmental and human stories - from documenting coral reefs and Great Barrier Reef restoration for National Geographic, The Great Australian Bight for Greenpeace and the aftermath of Australian Bushfires for TIME Magazine. She completed the first-ever Facebook underwater live video in Australia on World Ocean's Day 2018, as part of National Geographic Australia' Planet or Plastic' campaign focusing on the impact plastic has on the marine ecosystem. Her short films pick up the natural, ambient-lit storytelling where the images leave off with her latest short film “End of the World” which speaks to the devastating impacts of climate change in Antarctica premiering at TEDx Sydney 2020.

Follow Michaela on Instagram @mishkusk.