UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY

Tom Vierus is a Fiji-based underwater photographer and marine biologist working across the Pacific. His imagery documents coral reefs, sharks, rays and other marine wildlife, alongside scientific research, conservation projects and the people whose lives are connected to the ocean.

A large aggregation of kina, or New Zealand Sea Urchins (Evechinus chloroticus), in the Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve, New Zealand.

A Giant Seahorse (Hippocampus ingens) encountered at a depth of approximately 22 metres off Santiago Island in the Galápagos Archipelago.

An Ocellaris Anemonefish (Amphiprion ocellaris) sheltering among the tentacles of its host anemone near Pemuteran in northern Bali, Indonesia.

Colourful Jewel Anemones (Corynactis australis) growing on the wreck of the HMNZS Canterbury in New Zealand’s Bay of Islands.

A Blacktip Reef Shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus) cruising the shallow waters of Shark Reef Marine Reserve, Fiji. The species is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.

An Acropora coral releases bundles of eggs and sperm during a mass-spawning event on Fiji’s Coral Coast, Viti Levu.

A colourful red soft coral surrounded by sea fans and sponges at Yellow Mellow in Fiji’s Vatu-i-Ra Conservation Park.

A male and female Mandarinfish (Synchiropus splendidus) performing their elaborate sunset courtship ritual off northern Bali, Indonesia.

A vibrant coral reefscape surrounded by schools of anthias and other reef fish in Fiji’s Lomaiviti Islands.

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A large Bull Shark (Carcharhinus leucas) passes through the Shark Reef Marine Reserve at a depth of 30 metres. The species is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.

A goby, likely Stiphodon julieni, photographed in a shallow stream on Moorea, French Polynesia.

Large coral colonies growing in the waters surrounding Tanna Island, Vanuatu.

A diverse reefscape of hard and soft corals surrounded by reef fish in the Namena Marine Reserve, Fiji.

Several Reef Manta Rays (Mobula alfredi) forage in a nutrient-rich channel between Drawaqa and Naviti islands in Fiji’s Yasawa Islands. The species is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.

Portrait of a Galápagos Bullhead Shark (Heterodontus quoyi) in the cold waters off northwestern Isabela Island, Galápagos.

A Coral Grouper (Cephalopholis miniata) being cleaned by a shrimp inside a reef crevice in the Namena Marine Reserve, Fiji.

A diver approaches an underwater pinnacle as four trevallies pass above soft corals in the Namena Marine Reserve, Fiji.

Large, healthy table corals growing on a shallow reef in Fiji’s Lomaiviti Islands.

A group of Pink Whiprays (Pateobatis fai) gathered over a shallow sandy area off Moorea, French Polynesia.

A Whitetip Reef Shark (Triaenodon obesus) cruises above the soft corals of Mount Mutiny in Fiji’s Lomaiviti Group. The species is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.

A Spotted Porcelain Crab (Neopetrolisthes maculatus) sheltering among the tentacles of a sea anemone off Bali, Indonesia.

SCIENCE BENEATH THE SURFACE

With an MSc in Tropical Marine Ecology and research experience focused on sharks and rays, Tom approaches underwater assignments with an understanding of animal behaviour, scientific fieldwork and the wider ecological context. He works with researchers, conservation organisations, resorts and production teams to create imagery that is both visually compelling and biologically informed.

VIEW SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS

Underwater photographer Tom Vierus diving with his camera at Shark Reef Marine Reserve, Fiji.

SELECTED UNDERWATER FILMS

Alongside still photography, Tom produces underwater films that bring marine wildlife, scientific research and ocean conservation stories to life. His underwater work can form part of a complete production incorporating topside cinematography, interviews, drone imagery and post-production.

FIJI’S GREAT SEA REEF

Produced for WWF-Pacific, this film explores Fiji’s Great Sea Reef and its importance to marine biodiversity, food security, culture and coastal communities. Combining underwater cinematography, aerial imagery and community voices, it demonstrates Tom’s ability to tell complete ocean stories—both above and below the surface.

CORAL SPAWNING IN FIJI

Filmed on Fiji’s Coral Coast, this short natural-history film documents the remarkable annual spawning of Acropora corals. Working alongside coral-reef scientist Victor Bonito, Tom captured the brief, precisely timed event during which corals simultaneously release their eggs and sperm into the water column, transforming the reef into an underwater snowstorm.

COMPLETE VISUAL PRODUCTION

Tom provides photography, cinematography, drone and underwater production, creating coherent visual libraries for websites, campaigns, social media and international promotion.

A diver explores the crystal-clear Blue Hole at the source of the Esis River in Pomio District, East New Britain, Papua New Guinea.

PHOTOGRAPHY

A marine scientist conducts a survey across a severely bleached coral reef in Fiji.

SCIENCE & RESEARCH

A community member from Soliyaga removes a Crown-of-thorns Starfish (Acanthaster cf. solaris) from the reef near the village on Beqa Island, Fiji.

CONSERVATION STORIES

Dense Dendronephthya soft corals cover the White Wall dive site at Rainbow Reef in the Somosomo Strait, Fiji.

TOURISM & EXPEDITIONS

PLANNING AN UNDERWATER STORY IN FIJI OR ELSEWHERE?

School of scalloped hammerhead sharks swimming near Darwin’s Arch in the Galápagos Islands

Whether you need underwater photography, cinematography, coverage of a scientific expedition or a complete ocean story, get in touch to discuss your project.

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