There’s something hauntingly beautiful about Okinawa’s waters in early autumn… the way the light softens just before sunset and the stories that seem to rise from the waves themselves. That’s what I wanted to capture when I set out to photograph The Cursed Coral Queens, a spooky mermaid concept shoot with two performers I met through a local theater group here on the island.
Mermaids are a surprisingly active part of Okinawa’s creative scene. Several groups perform at children’s parties, local festivals, and community events, blending ocean conservation themes with a sense of magic and whimsy. This shoot was a chance to take that same spirit and push it into something darker and more cinematic… a tale of two mythical sisters trapped between sea and shore. I’m grateful to models Kelli Newbry and Alissa Len Allen for their amazing work.
Composing the Image of the 'Coral Queens'
We met in the fading light of golden hour and waded through the shallow water toward a jagged rock outcropping just offshore. The tide was low, the air still, and the scene felt like something out of a storybook… eerie, mysterious, and perfect for the mood we were trying to create.
Because the light was dropping quickly, I needed to push my ISO a little higher than usual to hold a shutter speed around 1/160. I shot on a Nikon D850 and used an 85mm prime lens to get that shallow depth of field and intimate, story-driven framing. Shooting waist-deep in water while balancing gear and composition was a challenge, but it added to the adventure of the shot.
Post Processing
Editing this image was less about transformation and more about enhancement. Most of the work happened in Lightroom, where I focused on lifting the shadows just enough to reveal the rocky backdrop without losing the mood. A touch of warmth, subtle saturation adjustments, and gentle color correction were all it took to bring the image to life.
The result is one of my favorite photos of the year… a little eerie, a little enchanting, and a reminder of why I love storytelling through photography. It’s not just about capturing what’s in front of the lens… it’s about hinting at the legends that might live just beneath the surface.
Hamahiga Island
Map link to Hamahiga Island where the image was shot.
Google Maps Link to Hamahiga Island
