Gaby Barathieu is a photographer and French expatriate living on the R?union Island since 2010. An autodidact, he?s driven by a passion for diving and trained in underwater photography during his many ?dips? in the tropical waters of the ocean that surrounds his home.

"My goal in photographing whales has always been to share with you the moments of pure magic that I experience while shooting them ? to me, they?re beyond special.

The following photos are captured exclusively in apnea (holding breath while snorkeling? no SCUBA equipment) for the sake of mobility and responsiveness.

I invite you to take a deep breath and enter our universe ?"