Bored Panda reached out to Joeva to ask if any of the images she captured had completely changed the way she sees the ocean. Here’s what we found out: “It’s not so much a single image, but rather the accumulation of moments I’ve captured that has changed how I see the ocean. If I have to pick a few, there are two images in particular that come to mind. The first was of a humpback whale mother gently pushing her calf toward the surface with her head. The calf seemed so weak, possibly sick, and the way the mother supported it to help it breathe was so tender and heartbreaking. At that moment, I realized just how emotional and complex these animals are. It wasn’t just a beautiful interaction; it was a mother caring for her vulnerable baby and doing everything she could to keep it alive. That image reminded me that the ocean is not just a wild place; it’s a world full of relationships, emotions, and intelligence that we barely understand."
"The second moment was with a sea turtle I met in Australia. She had lost a flipper, probably from a shark attack. The wound was still fresh the first time I saw her, and honestly, I didn’t think she’d survive. But I kept seeing her again, week after week, swimming in the same area. Her injury healed over time, and she learned to move and adapt with only three flippers. Watching her fight to live and thrive despite such a massive handicap was incredibly inspiring. It taught me so much about the resilience of marine life and how much we still have to learn from it.”
We were also curious whether the photographer ever formed a connection with a particular marine animal while underwater. She shared with us: “Absolutely, one of the most profound connections I’ve ever felt was with a humpback whale calf I met last year. She approached me with such curiosity and started spinning in the water. I instinctively began to dance with her, twisting and moving through the water, and she responded by mimicking my gestures. We ‘danced’ like that for about 20 minutes. It was so powerful that I handed my camera to the guide just to be fully in the moment. For once, I let go of capturing the moment to simply live it. It’s also one of the rare times I actually have a photo of myself with a whale. It's so rare to have such interactions with a wild animal, but when they happen, it's just incredible. I encountered the same calf several times afterward, and she would always come back to play. Those encounters were pure magic—some of the best moments of my life I will never forget.
When asked to share something about underwater photography that most people might not expect, Joeva responded: “Most people don’t realize how intense and demanding underwater photography is, both in the water and afterward. While it looks dreamy and effortless from the outside, the reality is very different. You're freediving, holding your breath, fighting currents and waves, dealing with poor visibility or strong sunlight, carrying heavy and expensive gear, and at the same time, trying to approach wild animals calmly and respectfully. Then comes the editing, which is often overlooked: I’d say 80% of the work happens after the dive. For every hour I spend in the water, I often spend 3 to 5 hours in front of my computer editing. Underwater colors are distorted, and every image needs detailed work to bring back the real-life beauty of the moment. People often think my photos look like that straight out of the camera, but no, it’s hours of work, passion, and precision. It’s also an incredibly expensive and sometimes dangerous activity, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
Lastly, the photographer shared how her work has influenced the way people perceive marine life and ocean conservation. Dachelet explained: “Definitely. I often receive messages from people telling me not to stop sharing my photos because they help them escape reality and dream every day, even if they don’t have access to the ocean themselves. That means a lot to me. Some artists have even turned my images into paintings, murals, or tattoos, which is always incredibly touching. I’ve also had people tell me they’ve learned important things from my work, like realizing how intelligent marine animals are, that sharks aren’t dangerous monsters but essential for ecosystem balance, and that these creatures deserve protection.
That kind of feedback inspired me to go even further. I decided to launch my own underwater expeditions so I could bring people into the ocean with me, not just through images but in real life. I wanted to give them a chance to experience these once-in-a-lifetime encounters, to connect deeply with the ocean, understand it better, and leave with a desire to protect it. These trips are built around ethical, eco-responsible practices, and my greatest hope is that they create a ripple effect of love and respect for the ocean and its inhabitants."
Finally, she added one last thought to wrap up our conversation: “One message from a participant really stayed with me. He wrote: ‘Know that it’s thanks to you, your passion for the ocean, and your videos/photos that I was able to fulfill my dream of swimming with whales. I’m incredibly grateful. You’ve helped people make their dreams come true; that’s a rare and beautiful gift.’ Messages like that remind me exactly why I do what I do.”
