One of the most unforgettable moments of my life

We were wrapping up what had already been an amazing week in Baja. Sharks, sea lions, just epic iconic Baja wildlife had shown up for us day after day. But the one thing we hadn’t seen? Orcas.

It was the last day. We were just about to head in. We were joking around, relaxing on the boat, grateful for all we had experienced, when we got a call.

“Orcas.”

We didn’t even ask questions—we just gunned it.

When we arrived, there they were. A pod. Moving with power and purpose through the blue.

The energy on the boat shifted immediately—excitement, nerves, awe. Our guests geared up fast and slid into the water. I stayed back on the boat, giving them space to soak in the moment, enjoying watching them from the surface.

On the second jump, I couldn’t resist. I grabbed my gear and joined in.

Not long after, she appeared.

A massive matriarch female broke away from the group and came straight toward me, with the pod following closely behind her.

She was slow. Intentional. Calm.

She was so big. I shot photo after photo. Her head alone filled the frame of my wide angle lens. She was so close I could have reached out and touched her. As she swam by me, I stopped shooting and just looked at her.

Eye to Eye

I’ve been in the water with a lots of orcas before.
But never like this… Never this close.

In that moment, time fell away. It was just her and me.

I was looking at her. She was looking at me.
And when I say that, I mean it—truly looking.
There was awareness in her eye. Curiosity.

It was thrilling.
It was humbling.
It was terrifying in the best possible way.

And it was, without a doubt, one of the greatest moments of my life.

That encounter reminded me why I’m drawn to wildlife.

Just me and a wild animal choosing to let me into it’s world, if only for a second.

Moments like this are why I do what I do.

Looking into her eye that day will forever live in my dreams.

📸 Photography Takeaways from the Encounter

Be Ready—Even When You're Done for the Day
I had put my gear away. Mentally, I was shifting into end-of-day mode. But wildlife doesn’t care what time it is. Keep your camera ready until the boat hits the dock.
Fill the Frame Without Cropping
That orca came so close, there was no blue between us. There’s no substitute for proximity. Let the animal dictate the composition. Get wide, stay calm, and don’t chase.
Natural Light Can Elevate the Emotional Impact
With just sunlight and clear water, you capture the real mood of the ocean—how it looked, felt, and moved in that moment. No strobes, no drama—just honest light and a powerful presence.
Eye Contact Changes Everything
When you capture an image where the animal is looking directly at you, the photo hits different. That moment of connection turns a picture into a story. Always watch for the eye—and be ready to press the shutter.
When It All Comes Together—Recognize the Gift
My camera was dialed in. My settings were on point. The sun was behind me. The animal was curious. It was everything you hope for when photographing an orca. These are the moments you dream about as a photographer—and they don’t happen often.
When they do, be present. Be grateful.