Meet Tanya G Burnett | Naturalist, Creative, Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tanya G Burnett and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tanya G, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
The seeds for my marine enthusiasm began early while growing up in the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Once back in the states in the early 80’s, I started living and scuba diving in Miami, Keys and the Bahamas. While studying photography and recreational dive management at Barry University, I was pretty sure the direction I was going in. By the age of twenty I was teaching diving, shooting underwater images and working on my Captains license.

In the early 90’s opened a scuba shop called H2O Scuba in North Miami. It was the first technical diving facility at the time. Not long after running a successful dive operation, I became one of the founding members to establish Technical Diving International (TDI) and Scuba Diving International (SDI), which have gone on to become some of the most widely recognized instructional institutions in the world. My involvement and reputation in the industry led to further opportunities, including a stint as US sales rep for Uwatec Dive Computer and Draeger Rebreathers.

My love of underwater imaging led to photographic expeditions to “recording” freedive attempts and occasional hosting of film documentaries.

In 2002, with all my scuba diving background, underwater photography and travel experience, I started another business with my husband, Kevin Palmer, to organize and lead scuba diving and photo expeditions around the world.

As an offshoot of our travel, we were able to offer photographic editorial content that has appeared in American Photo, Outside, National Geographic Adventure, Islands, Coastal Living, Dive Training, Sport Diver, Scuba Diving, Caribbean Travel & Life, Alert Diver, PADI – Scuba Diving, Undersea Journal, several books, newspapers, catalogs, ads and CNN online.

I felt privileged to have been a part of an expedition with the elite Women Explorers WINGS World Quest. We carried the flag on a wild dolphin expedition in the summer 2010 to honor all the amazing women explorers in the field. I was equally honored to be inducted into the Women Diver Hall of Fame in 2019.

When wearing my artist hat, it has been a pleasure to have my fine art photography featured in several South Florida galleries, as well as commercial venues such as the Scripps Research Institute Florida.

It would seem the sirens call of distant shores, distant seas and new discoveries has always rung so loudly that I could not help but answer in kind. Some have wryly suggested there must be a mermaid in my family tree, and I’m not too sure I would argue otherwise.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
It’s a magnificent gift to embark on a journey to discover and share the beauty within the ocean. Every time I slip below the surface, I am reminded how very fortunate I am to witness this amazing marine tapestry creatures large and small. There are the minute coralline builders of the reef that create elaborate microscopic communities and there are the largest creatures on earth, those whales traveling thousands of miles in migration. Each is spectacular in their own way, as are all the many, many denizens that reside outside those extremes.

Viewing the details of the sea and its lifeforms in all their abstract expressions becomes an ever-changing pallet for an artist seeking new inspiration for her canvas. You become a new student of the ocean and hopefully a new teacher to yourself and others. The reef is truly, a picturesque wonderland for this photographer!

There is no easy answer to getting into this niche photography. I believe the momentum is organic passion that build with how much passion you have.

I do this because I love the ocean and the creatures that reside there. There is no greater satisfaction than opening the eyes of someone to the wonders that lie beneath the surface of the sea. It’s also important to me as I feel people will only protect that which they are aware of and can relate to – but strong images can bridge that gap and touch those who might never don a mask or wear a snorkel. I know I will always be enchanted by the ocean for the rest of my life – I hope that my images can help inspire and engage the next generation to be aware of the beauty and wonder of the ocean – whether they plunge beneath the waves or just grow their appreciation from afar.

During our photo dive expeditions, we specialize in smaller groups of guests to ensure we have rewarding experiences like non other. We try to offer a myriad of trips that will satisfy the most travelled scuba diver as well as those just starting to get their fins wet. We love offering a combination of incredible underwater experiences coupled with the cultures associated with those particular regions.

I have also been designing and crafting high end jewelry from natural gems, ethnic beads and natural pearls for the better part of two decades. The ocean and the ancient cultures around them have been my inspiration. But nothing has spoken quite as seductively to my clients and me as my work with the ocean’s own precious gem: the pearl. Fortunately, my travels and contacts in the South Pacific and the Far East have allowed me to hand select every pearl I use which I personally drill to my specifications. I have strived to create a delicate balance of elegance, artistry and value with ocean inspired designs that can be dressed up or down. Most importantly, my jewelry is meant to be worn often if not always. I wear my designs every day… even in the sea.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Since my world centers around wild spaces both ocean and land habitats, I would create an itinerary that is nature inspired. Too many people in South Florida never venture beyond the urban sprawl and beaches. There is so much natural beauty here in Florida and it all needs to be seen and understood – our very lives depend on it!

I would ease into a week by starting in Miami at Fairchild Tropical Gardens, to see the tropical gardens that one man’s collection of exotic flora can blossom into over the years. I would head south to Biscayne National Park to exploring the mangroves and seagrass meadows on a kayak! Heading further south to watch the sunsetting along the overseas highway and staying in a funky Key’s resort. Next day join a snorkel boat heading for John Pennecamp Coral Reef State park to snorkel the multitude of beautiful shallow reefs. The afternoon drive to Key West for a sunset celebration and overnight in a old, converted Conch house/ inn. Early morning brings an exciting low level seaplane flight to Fort Jefferson in the Dry Totugas for a walk thru history and snorkel around the surrounding island. After a picnic, Its time to return to Key West and enjoy the rest of the day walking the old town and have dinner at Louis Backyard. The next day brings an easy going drive north en-route to the Everglades for an airboat ride. Later head to Chockaloosa and overnight in a cabin. Next day brings more river of grass fun for a guided swamp walk thru the Fakahatchee Strand to better understand the beauty of the Glades before heading back to Miami completely full incredible visuals of natural habitats that surround the life of chaos in South Florida.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
From childhood to adult and beyond, we all meet really important people that influence us whether we realize it then or not. For my journey there have been many that were important to influencing my direction – starting with my parents. They first led me to the ocean as soon as they could get a mask to fit my face. My time growing up in the islands cemented this lasting fascination for the sea and the coral reef.

Another influence of note is the former program director at Barry University: Tom Ingram. Without him, Barry would not have had the Recreation Dive Program (now termed Sport Management). He was a crucial part of my education in dive theory, practice and business.

I opened and a ran a successful dive operation working with what I learned from that BA. But it also would not have happened without the encouragement and willfulness of my business partner, Mitch Skaggs. He and I were a team and really launched that the business into a new age with a friendlier approach and safer diving concepts. We were successful and were able to sell it and venture forth with Technical Diving International.

Though for the past 23 years, the most important influence and support in my life I owe to my husband, Kevin Palmer. Kevin gave me unconditional love and freedom to grow and discover. Not only about myself as a woman, but as a diver, a photographer, a creative, a naturalist and a wife. We work well together and have built a beautiful life around our partnership and at times, mutual independence, as we pursue and relish those things in life that we both love.

Website: www.islandexposure.us, www.calypsosea.com

Instagram: @island.exposure ; @calypso.sea

Facebook: @tgburnett1, @calypsosea

Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/CalypsoSea

Image Credits
Main photo: Manta – copyright Kevin Palme