By Jillian Morris
As a marine biologist, scuba diver, and the founder of Sharks4Kids, I spend a significant portion of my life in the ocean, dedicated to photographing and filming sharks. Over the last 20 years, I’ve tried dozens of camera and housing combinations, but I had never taken my phone underwater—at least not on purpose. The first time I slipped my iPhone into a DiveVolk underwater smartphone housing, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Trading my large DSLR setup for this lightweight rig made me a little nervous, but it has since provided a simple, streamlined way to film the ocean, completely changing how I capture sharks.
First Dip: Success in the Shallows
I started my test in shallow water with good light, figuring this would give the phone its best chance to perform. I brought it to Honeymoon Harbour, just south of Bimini, a place famous for its friendly stingrays and sharks. The water there is like glass—crystal clear and full of life. Within minutes, I was capturing stunning images of southern stingrays, nurse sharks, and blacknose sharks, all with the incredible ease of tapping a touchscreen through the housing.
The Ultimate Test: Great Hammerheads
Once I realized how impressive and reliable the DiveVolk housing was, I was ready for a bigger challenge: a scuba dive at the Great Hammerhead site. This location in Bimini, The Bahamas, is considered one of the best shark dives in the world, and I’m fortunate to spend a lot of time with these remarkable animals. Great hammerheads are my favorite creature on the planet, and spending time in their world is always a breathtaking experience. Their tendency to come in close makes them perfect subjects for the iPhone.
On one dive, a magnificent great hammerhead named “Queen” swept past me, just feet away. I tilted the phone, tapped record, and watched as her entire body filled the frame. Queen is the largest great hammerhead we see at the site, and she is a truly remarkable creature. I also captured some amazing slow-motion video of her getting a fish snack from the feeder (this is a baited provisioning dive where the hammerheads are hand-fed by a trained dive crew). When I surfaced and replayed the clip, I couldn’t believe the quality.
"I had filmed one of the ocean’s most iconic sharks with the same device I use to WhatsApp friends and check emails."
A New Tool for Ocean Advocacy
Since that dive, I’ve used the DiveVolk housing to capture incredible footage of lemon sharks, blacktip sharks, bull sharks, and, of course, more hammerheads. Each encounter reminds me that sometimes the simplest tools can create the most powerful images for shark conservation.
It’s also become a powerful tool for education. When I tell students through Sharks4Kids, “I filmed this on my phone,” they light up. It makes the ocean feel closer, more accessible. They realize you don’t need thousands of dollars in equipment to start documenting nature. All you really need is curiosity, respect for the ocean, and a tool like this to open a window into the world of sharks.
For me, the DiveVolk housing isn’t just about making underwater photography easier—it’s about making shark storytelling more immediate, authentic, and shareable. Every time I take it diving, I’m reminded that technology, when paired with passion, can help inspire the next generation of ocean advocates.
About the Author: Jillian Morris
Born and raised in Maine, Jillian’s love for the ocean started at an early age and has continued to play an integral role in her adult life. She has spent thousands of hours in the field working and diving with sharks across the globe. She is a mom, marine biologist, shark conservationist, author and educator. She has filmed for numerous television shows and networks, has appeared on Shark Week and is a PADI Ambassadiver. She was named Scuba Diving Magazine's July 2016 Sea Hero, awarded the inaugural Shark Con Shark Hero Award in 2017 and was the Go Blue Awards 2020 Blue Ambassador of the Year. She is the author of Norman the Nurse Shark and Shark Super Powers and a member of the prestigious Ocean Artists Society.
Website: www.shark-girl.com
Social Media:
Instagram: @sharkeducation | @biminisharkgirl
Facebook: Sharks4Kids
Sharks4Kids
Sharks4Kids is dedicated to creating a new generation of shark advocates through education, outreach, and adventure. Our mission is to provide dynamic, engaging, and scientifically accurate shark education to students worldwide—empowering them with knowledge and inspiring them to become ocean stewards.
At the heart of Sharks4Kids is the belief that education is a powerful tool for conservation. By connecting children with sharks through interactive lessons, hands-on experiences, and direct engagement with scientists, we work to dispel myths, foster curiosity, and build respect for these often-misunderstood animals.
