Aldara Ortega: Model, Fine Art Underwater Photograher and Artistic Painter

Aldara Ortega: From Model to Underwater Fine Art Photographer | Painting With LightHost Dian Griesel interviews New York/Miami based model and fine art photographer Aldara Ortega about her path from being scouted at 18 in Madrid to building a distinctive underwater photography practice. Ortega shares how studying fashion design and darkroom photography, plus years of oil painting, shaped her editing approach -- treating images like a canvas and “painting with light” through color grading and selective enhancement. Inspired by swimming in a skylit New York pool, she began creating underwater images with a point-and-shoot and improvised gear, leading to early series like “Liquid Desert,” later refining her work into ethereal, motion-focused compositions using reflections and refractions. Now in Miami, she offers commissioned underwater portraits, discusses ocean vs. pool conditions, her Canon and lite setup, free-diving certifications, and how her modeling experience helps guide subjects calmly and confidently.Learn more and follow Aldara Ortega at any of these links:Fine Art Underwater Photography: aloarts.comIG: @alo.artsFashion & Portrait Photography: aldaraortega.comIG:  @aldaraphotostudioNewsletter: https://preview.mailerlite.io/forms/1891532/170178903607870702/sharePlease SUBSCRIBE! I’m Dian Griesel aka @SilverDisobedience to my hundreds of thousands of monthly blog readers. You can learn more about me here:   ⁠⁠https://diangriesel.com⁠⁠ But for starters…⁠ For nearly 40 years, I’ve helped people understand what they may be missing -- in themselves, in others, and in the situations they face -- so they can communicate with greater clarity, make wiser decisions, and navigate both business and life more effectively."Raw, truth-driven conversations with fascinating guests — from business & psychology to careers, pop culture & the B.S. in between." Expect bold questions. Unfiltered insights. A few laughs. Real growth. Subscribe & Join the Conversation.SHOW RUN:00:00 Meet Aldara Ortega01:04 How She Started Modeling02:07 From Fashion to Photography04:11 Painting Influences Editing07:08 Discovering Underwater Art10:15 Early Series and Breakthrough13:01 Style and Creative Process16:44 Galleries and Representation17:34 Commissioned Underwater Portraits20:01 Gear and Underwater Setup21:34 Breath Hold and Freediving23:22 Directing and Empowering Muses28:48 Next Projects and Travel30:36 Wrap Up and Where to Follow