INTO THE BLUE: The Award-Winning Underwater World of Sam Blount
Sam Blount has a rare ability to transport viewers beneath the surface, revealing an underwater world that is at once powerful, peaceful, and profoundly beautiful. From intimate encounters with dolphins and close passes by sharks to hauntingly atmospheric wreck dives, his photography captures not only the extraordinary diversity of marine life but also the quiet relationship between humans and the ocean. His award-winning portfolio demonstrates remarkable technical precision, patience, and an instinct for being in exactly the right place at the right moment—qualities that earned him the title of 2026 Cape Fear Living Photographer of the Year in our fifth annual competition. We spoke with Sam about the adventures behind his winning images, the challenges of photographing beneath the waves, and the deep connection that continues to draw him back to the sea.
Your winning portfolio immerses viewers in the underwater world, from human interaction to intimate encounters with marine life. What first drew you to underwater photography, and what keeps inspiring you to dive back in?
I first got into underwater photography while teaching freediving. I began by taking photos of my students as they learned to dive to 66 feet while holding their breath. I quickly realized that what I enjoyed most was sharing the underwater world from my perspective. Most of my photographs have been taken while freediving (advanced snorkeling), and since then, my camera has become the perfect excuse to travel all over the world.
The photograph of the tiger shark is both breathtaking and intimidating. Can you walk us through that moment? What was going through your mind as you composed the image while sharing the water with such a powerful predator?
This photograph is actually of a sand tiger shark, with a sandbar shark in the background. Sand tiger sharks are one of the more common species we see around here and are generally quite docile. In the past, most of my photography was done without strobes because hauling them up and down while freediving can be challenging. Recently, though, I've made a concerted effort to use them more because they add so much color and depth to the images. For this shot, I dove down 50 feet and lay on the ocean floor while the sand tiger swam directly toward me. In that moment, I was completely focused on framing the shark and balancing the light.
Your images of the dolphins have an incredible sense of movement, trust, and connection. How do you approach photographing wild marine animals in a way that captures both their beauty and their natural behavior without disturbing them?
This was a really interesting interaction. Atlantic spotted dolphins are usually pretty shy and standoffish. We discovered that if you dolphin-kicked with both fins together, they would race over and become incredibly playful. They stayed with us for about 10 minutes while my buddies and I took turns diving alongside them, giving us an unforgettable opportunity to photograph them in a completely natural way.
Underwater photography demands technical skill, patience, and often unpredictable conditions. What are some of the biggest challenges behind creating images like these, and what does it take to come home with a photograph you're truly proud of?
Changing conditions are probably the hardest challenge to plan around once you're a competent freediver and have a solid understanding of your camera. Each of these photographs presented its own unique challenge. The dolphins were incredibly fast, so freezing their movement while maintaining sharpness was essential. The shark photograph involved a lot of equipment and required careful balancing of the strobes with the available natural light. The wreck image demanded coordination between six freedivers, a photographer, and everyone reaching 60 feet with enough bottom time to capture the shot.
Being named the 2026 Cape Fear Living Photographer of the Year is a significant achievement. Looking at these winning images, what do they represent to you personally, and what do you hope viewers take away when they experience your work?
To me, these images each represent a different part of my diving and photography journey. The wreck photograph is especially meaningful because it features the group of friends I first started diving with after moving here. One of them, Brian Davis, has since passed away, and I love seeing our group together in that image. After we lost Brian, the entire dive community came together to raise funds for a memorial in his honor. It took us four years, but we eventually sank a ship in his name at AR 368. I hope my work inspires people to get out there and experience the incredible things the ocean has to offer. It's an ever-changing environment filled with amazing wildlife, and there's always something new to discover.
When you're not taking photographs, what do you enjoy doing, and where are some of your favorite places to spend time?
I play a lot of tennis, travel whenever I can, and spend time with friends.
What's currently on your playlist?
Follow Sam Blount on Instagram.
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