A Night for the Ocean: Reflections from the Dos Mares Gala
Shadows in Sync — A blue shark and remora in perfect harmony. Selected for the 2025 Dos Mares Gala.
I was fortunate enough to have one of my photographs - Shadows in Sync - selected for a photo auction at the Dos Mares Gala, an event held in Mexico City to celebrate everything about ocean conservation and community.
The whole experience, from taking the photo originally to being there at the Gala in person, was truly one of the best experiences of my life. Through this process, I was able to see how my work has a direct impact on the ocean conservation community, and I can’t wait to take you through the whole story from start to finish.
What is the Dos Mares Gala?
The Dos Mares Gala was an event held on May 29 in the heart of Mexico City at General Prim - a celebration of ocean conservation, creativity, and community.
Organized by a coalition of environmental leaders and artists, the gala brought together ocean advocates, scientists, photographers, and musicians to raise awareness and critical funding for marine conservation in Baja California Sur and the Gulf of California - a region often referred to as the “Aquarium of the World.”
One of the most meaningful parts of the evening was a curated photo auction featuring 20 powerful images selected by world-renowned conservation photographer Cristina Mittermeier - or “Mitty,” as many affectionately call her.
I was deeply honored (and honestly shocked) to learn that one of my photos, Shadows in Sync, had been chosen to be part of this collection.
The Power of Being Seen
Over the past year, I’ve been trying - and struggling - to sell my fine art prints. It’s been frustrating, discouraging, and full of doubts. But being part of the Dos Mares Gala changed something in me.
Seeing Shadows in Sync printed and displayed in such a meaningful setting - knowing it had been chosen to support conservation work - gave me a feeling that no print sale could ever match. For once, it wasn’t about business or marketing or pricing.
It was about impact.
About being part of something bigger.
Why Baja Needs Protection
Baja California Sur is one of the world’s most biologically rich marine regions - but it’s also one of the most vulnerable.
Known as the “Aquarium of the World,” the Gulf of California is home to over 900 species of fish, five species of sea turtles, and nearly a third of the world’s marine mammal species.
But this biodiversity is under growing pressure.
The Threats Facing Baja
The region is following the unfortunate trend seen in many biodiverse places worldwide and is facing numerous threats:
Illegal fishing - A growing problem faced in many areas.
Bycatch - where animals are caught in other fishing activities where they are not ‘wanted’.
Plastic pollution - an unfortunate reality of the ocean right now.
Unregulated tourism - tourism can be beneficial, but it’s important for it to be regulated, especially when it comes to delicate marine environments.
Iconic species like mobula rays, sharks, and even whales are caught unintentionally or deliberately in industrial fishing operations.
A young humpback whale entangled in ghost fishing gear.
Meanwhile, climate change continues to wreak havoc here just as it does worldwide - warming the waters and disrupting migration patterns, reef health, and food availability for many marine species.
Mangrove forests - crucial nurseries for fish and natural barriers against erosion - are also at risk from coastal development and pollution.
Hope Is Not Lost
Hope is not lost, however - enter the Dos Mares initiative.
More than just a gala, it’s a collaborative effort to raise funds and awareness for the organizations doing the hard work of ocean protection on the ground (and in the water). Proceeds from the event directly support non-profits like Pelagios Kakunjá, Marea Azul, Mares Mexicanos, and Legacy Reef Foundation, all of which are actively working to protect marine species and habitats in the region.
Whether through research, policy advocacy, habitat restoration, or education, these organizations are focused on creating real, lasting change - and the funds raised through Dos Mares go directly toward empowering that work.
The power of this initiative lies not only in its fundraising, but in how it brings together artists, scientists, policymakers, and communities under one shared mission: to protect what’s left and restore what’s been lost.
Being part of this event - even as a photographer contributing one image - felt like a step toward something meaningful, something that transcends the frame and reaches into the heart of conservation.
My First Time in Baja
This February marked my very first visit to Baja California - and it left a lasting impression. From a photographer’s perspective, the diversity of this region is nothing short of staggering.
In just two weeks, I encountered blue sharks, makos, orcas, humpback whales, mobula rays, sea lions, turtles, and more. It felt as if the entire marine food chain had unfolded in front of my lens.
Latitude Encounters
None of this would have been possible without the help of Latitude Encounters.
They’re a small team based in Baja who are incredibly passionate about the ocean and exploring its wonders.
They don’t just simply show you the wildlife. They educate, and share their philosophy of responsible marine tourism, something which we don’t see enough of in today’s world.
Here are just a few ways in which they operate on a completely different level from the norm:
Slow approaches
Limited group sizes
Deep understanding of animal behavior
These subtle differences really show the care that goes into their work.
Some of my most memorable moments came from simply being in the right place at the right time - something that Latitude’s experience and knowledge of the region made possible.
A pod of orcas glides through the waters of Baja — one of the rare places on Earth where killer whales can be seen regularly.
Whether it was drifting silently with a blue shark in open water, watching orcas pass just meters away, or photographing a breaching humpback whale, Baja gifted me a portfolio of moments I’ll never forget.
I recommend checking out this article that goes into the details of my experience with Latitude; it’s truly something I will never forget.
This isn’t just a place full of wildlife - it’s a living, breathing marine world that deserves protection. And for me, this trip was a reminder of why I do what I do: to share these moments, connect people to the ocean, and advocate for its future through storytelling.
The Gala Night Experience
The Dos Mares Gala took place on May 29th at General Prim, a historic 19th-century mansion tucked away in the heart of Mexico City. The venue itself set the tone - high ceilings, ornate archways, and open courtyards that felt both elegant and intimate.
Everything about the evening was thoughtfully curated. From the moment we walked in, it felt special. Stylish guests, ocean-themed decoration, incredible food, and warm conversations filled the rooms.
At the Ocean Symphony Gala, standing beside my work, Shadows in Sync — one of 20 selected works exhibited during the event.
Honestly, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but the entire event was organized with such care and polish - it exceeded every expectation.
One of the first things I noticed was the 20 selected photographs - displayed across the venue like an open-air gallery. As soon as I stepped in, I rushed to find mine!
The evening unfolded in three acts, each one powerful in its own way - blending music, film, and photography into a shared celebration of the sea.
Act One: Ocean Symphony
It began with “Ocean Symphony,” an immersive live performance by composer and double bassist Garth Stevenson.
With the lights dimmed and ocean soundscapes filling the room, Garth’s music carried us on a journey - from the calm of underwater stillness to the rising crescendo of a breaching whale.
It was more than a performance. It was emotional. You could feel the collective heartbeat in the room slow down, like we were all underwater together.
Garth Stevenson performing live during the Ocean Symphony Gala — his music adding a powerful emotional layer to the evening.
Act Two: Andy Mann’s Powerful New Film
Next came the premiere of Andy Mann’s new film, documenting Garth’s expedition and the powerful connection between music and marine life. Set in Baja California, the film paired breathtaking imagery with intimate storytelling. It brought the region to life: its beauty, its fragility, and the urgent need to protect it. The scenes of whales responding to music were mesmerizing - proof of just how intelligent and emotionally complex these animals are.
Act Three: The Photo Auction
The final act of the night was the photo auction, featuring 20 impactful ocean images handpicked by Cristina Mittermeier.
Seeing my own photo, Shadows in Sync, framed and illuminated alongside the work of some of my photography heroes was surreal.
I’ve spent years trying (and failing) to sell my prints - yet here, my work was helping raise funds for conservation.
It wasn’t just validation. It was deeply meaningful. That moment reminded me why I started doing this in the first place - not to make sales, but to tell stories that matter.
A moment from the Dos Mares Gala auction, where ocean-inspired artworks helped raise funds for marine conservation.
A Transformative Experience
I went to Baja hoping to photograph sharks, but came back with something so much more meaningful.
I built a deeper connection to the ocean, a renewed sense of purpose, and the realization that storytelling through photography can truly make a difference.
To everyone who helped make the Dos Mares Gala possible - thank you. This night meant more to me than you know.
