One of the first things that struck us upon meeting Scott was his mischievous smile and sense of humor. Then again you have to be unique to come up with the idea of underwater maternity photography. I knew right then that this was going to be a fun and different kind of meeting. Over the last few months, I’ve enjoyed getting to know both Scott and his lovely wife Jennifer – whom I highly suspect is the straight woman to his antics. Learn a little about Scott and how Scott Audette Underwater came to be.
Tell us a little about your business and what you do?
I own both Scott Audette and Scott Audette Underwater. I am one of only a few underwater portrait photographers in Florida. I turned my backyard pool in North Lakeland into a studio, complete with underwater backdrops and underwater lighting. I shoot men, women, families, friends, and corporate product marketing. I’ve even created a niche with underwater maternity photos, capturing the beauty of pregnancy in one-of-a-kind photos.
Tell us about your career and how Scott Audette Underwater came to be?
I have been sports and news photographer for 35 years, most notably for the Tampa Bay Lightning, The Associated Press, and Reuters, and I can still be seen shooting baseball, hockey and football, and corporate events. When the COVID-19 pandemic kept our sports venue closed, it gave me some time to consider what else I’d like to do in my career. I’m an experienced diver and I love shooting underwater photos, so I thought, ‘What if I translate that into underwater portraits?’
What’s the best thing about your job?
My office is a 90-degree pool … what’s not to enjoy about that?! I love the way the water creates patterns and motion. Playing with light, reflection, and show presents a wonderful challenge for me, and each photo shoot ends up being unique.
How many kids do you have and what are their ages? How do you juggle work with fatherhood?
I have two sons, ages 15 and 19. I love sharing what I do with my sons, and they’ve accompanied me on many photo shoots since they were very small. My older son was just my assistant the other day for a magazine cover shoot, and my younger son has been fortunate enough to shoot a few Tampa Bay Lightning games!
What’s your favorite restaurant and/or place to shop in Polk County? What’s your favorite thing to do with your family?
My new favorite find is Taco California in Winter Haven! One of the dopest things to do in Polk County with my family is packing a cooler full of food and heading out toward the airport to watch Sun n Fun.
What do you love about living in Polk County?
I started out loving Lakeland for its centrality to Orlando and Tampa 30 years ago, but over time, Lakeland has become more diverse and more progressive – in everything from dining to architecture to the arts
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