Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, and Kate Winslet are pros at underwater shoots. The actresses made headlines last year when they revealed the intricate training and breathing techniques involved in filming “Avatar: The Way of Water” — with Winslet reportedly holding her breath for seven minutes and 15 seconds.
Recently, the cast took the plunge again ahead of World Water Day, but not for “Avatar 3” (which is currently in post-production). This time they teamed up for an underwater photoshoot in the name of ocean conservation.
Prints from the photoshoot — shot by photographer Christy Lee Rogers and commissioned by “Avatar” director James Cameron — can be viewed and purchased on Roger’s website.
100% of net proceeds will go directly to The Nature Conservancy, a global nonprofit focused on marine conservation, land preservation, and climate justice.
For Rogers, shooting underwater is second nature. The photographer has made a name in the fine art world by mixing color, light, and fluid movement to craft her pieces.
“I learned from my father a deep respect for the water and ocean while growing up,” Rogers shared. “My hope is that we find a quick solution to keep our water clean, fresh and alive, so that all life can thrive here on this planet. That’s what this project is for me: a part of that solution.”
The photoshoot is an extension of Disney and Avatar’s “Keep Our Oceans Amazing” initiative, an ongoing campaign first launched in December 2022 alongside the release of “Avatar: The Way of Water.”
In support of TNC, the companies pledged to protect ocean animals and their habitats, highlighting threatened and endangered species that include beluga whales, whale sharks, manatees, sea lions, hawksbill sea turtles, and more.
In a press release tied to the campaign, Melissa Garvey — Global Director of Ocean Protection at The Nature Conservancy — stressed the importance of creating a “healthier ocean for all.”
“The entire planet depends on the health of our ocean to support and sustain it,” said Garvey. “The ocean produces half the air we breathe, provides livelihoods for billions of people, and is home to more than half of all life on earth. We need to do our part to protect it.”
Header images courtesy of Christy Lee Rogers
