:: Rick Freshee - Arts - 1981

Rick Freshee was a world-renowned underwater photographer, teacher and mentor. Skin Diver Magazine, which showcased Rick's articles and photos for decades said: "Rick Frehsee is one of the most respected and accomplished underwater and travel photographers in the world." Rick began his career in the early 1970s as a research diver and marine biologist (University of Georgia, University of Miami), returning to teach in the Florida University system as a diving officer and Assistant Professor of Marine Technology. During this time he served as an expedition photographer, cave specialist and aquanaut (saturation diver), living undersea for weeks at a time in various undersea habitat projects in the Bahamas and the Florida Keys. Freshee worked as a photographer/cinematographer for Jacques Cousteau, and conducted research assignments on various scientific projects such as the Bahamas and Belize holes, archaeological shipwrecks and the Atomic shipwreck at Bikini Atoll. In the 1980s, Rick turned to editorial and advertising photography, serving various resorts, airlines and tourist boards around the world. His assignments took him from the Caribbean to Micronesia, Australia, Indonesia and the Red Sea. Rick's photographs appeared in hundreds of publications including National Geographic, Natural History, Smithsonian, Popular Science, national Geographic Traveler, Life, Sports Illustrated, Ocean Technology, Sea Frontiers, various In-Flight publications and, Skin Diver, where he served as a special contributor for 15 years.