Café Nemo x AquaExposure: Two ways to tell the ocean story, one single conviction

AquaExposure partners with Café Nemo, the marine divulgation podcast by Maé and Lisa. Not because our formats align. Because our core conviction is the same: to protect the ocean, we must first understand it.

Maé and Lisa are two oceanographers who have decided to do something difficult: to make marine science truly accessible. They met during their studies and launched Café Nemo with a simple idea: to talk about the oceans as one would talk about them with friends over a cup of coffee. Without unnecessary jargon, without lectures, but without sacrificing scientific rigor.

Their podcast covers the oceans from plankton to the abyssal depths: sea stars, underwater lakes, participatory science around megafauna, and the workings of oceanographic research. They give a voice to researchers, divers, sailors, engineers, and all those who spend their lives understanding what we, underwater photographers, observe from the other side of the viewport.

Find Café Nemo: Spotify · Apple Podcasts · YouTube · Instagram

The answer lies in a single sentence that they formulate themselves: "To protect the ocean, we must understand it. And to understand it, we must tell its story."

That's precisely what we believe at AquaExposure, but through images rather than words.

According to a study published in the Journal of Environmental Management (De Brauwer et al., 2018), underwater photographers spend, on average, five times more time interacting with marine life than other divers. This prolonged presence, if not based on a real understanding of animal behavior and marine ecology, significantly increases the stress experienced by the observed species. Therefore, scientific understanding is not a luxury for a diving photographer: it is a condition of ethical practice.

The underwater image triggers emotion. Scientific narration gives it meaning. These two languages do not compete, they complement each other. A photographer who understands the biology of their subject photographs better and more ethically. An AquaExposure listener who then dives perceives more of what they observe.

This complementarity forms the basis of our partnership.

Three common convictions explain why this partnership makes sense.

Education as a Conservation Tool. Neither AquaExposure nor Café Nemo stop at the surface. The image aims to transform the viewer's perspective, while the podcast aims to transform understanding. In both cases, the ultimate goal is the same: to build with the audience a relationship with the ocean that is deep enough to motivate concrete action in its protection. Consult our AquaExposure philosophy to understand how this translates into our teaching of ethical underwater photography.

Rigorousness without condescension. Scientific popularization is a balancing act. Too simple, it betrays reality. Too complex, it loses the audience. Café Nemo has found its balance. AquaExposure is seeking its in every published content. Both projects refuse to choose between accessibility and intellectual honesty.

Wonder as the starting point. There is no real understanding of the ocean without a sense of wonder. No preservation without an authentic emotional connection. Café Nemo understood this from the start: their podcast is not just informative, it is embodied. This warm and curious tone reflects what we are trying to convey with each image. Marine conservation is not an abstract moral obligation. It is a natural consequence of loving this environment.

This partnership is first and foremost a shared set of values. What we will actually produce, we build together with Maé and Lisa.

The intention is clear: to create bridges between the AquaExposure community, divers, photographers, and lovers of the underwater world, and the Café Nemo universe, where marine science regains its ability to surprise, question, and engage.

If you don't know Café Nemo yet, start with their launch episode. They explain better than anyone why they do what they do. And if you're already a listener, you'll immediately understand why this partnership makes sense.

The ocean needs more people who understand it. Not just more people who see it.

Maé and Lisa do essential work with Café Nemo. They make marine science desirable, understandable, and useful. AquaExposure tries to do something similar through imagery. Together, we hope that these two approaches contribute to building the understanding that the ocean needs.

Welcome to the family, Maé and Lisa.

Follow Café Nemo: Spotify · Apple Podcasts · YouTube · Instagram

The following is a translation of the French text:

The secret to capturing stunning underwater images lies in understanding the fundamentals of light and composition. Mastering these elements will enable you to create breathtaking photos that showcase the beauty of the underwater world. One key aspect is understanding how light behaves underwater, including its intensity and direction. Another important factor is composing your shots effectively, using techniques such as the rule of thirds to create visually appealing images. By focusing on these principles, you can raise your underwater photography to a new level.

Understanding the underwater environment is the first step towards an ethical photography practice. Module 1 - Foundations - lays these essential foundations. Discover it on aquaexposure.com.

Here is the translation:

What is Nemo Coffee?

Café Nemo is a science popularization podcast dedicated to the oceans, created by Maé and Lisa, two oceanographers. Their goal is to make marine biology and oceanographic research accessible to the general public, without unnecessary jargon. The podcast is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

Why AquaExposure partners with an oceanography podcast?

AquaExposure and Café Nemo share the same conviction: to protect the ocean, you must first understand it. AquaExposure conveys this understanding through ethical underwater photography. Café Nemo conveys it through scientific narration. The two formats complement each other and are aimed at a similar audience.

Where to listen to the Café Nemo podcast?

Café Nemo is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and on Instagram.

In what ways does complete scientific popularization complement underwater photography?

The underwater image triggers emotion and creates a visual connection with the marine world. Scientific divulgation provides meaning, context, and depth to this emotion. A photographer who understands the biology of their subjects photographs better and in a more ethical way.

Are Maé and Lisa from Café Nemo oceanographers?

Yes. Maé and Lisa met during their oceanography studies and launched Café Nemo to make marine science accessible beyond the academic community. Their podcast features researchers, divers, seafarers, and marine engineers.

• AquaExposure Philosophy - our approach to ethical underwater photography
• Underwater Photography Training - the complete AquaExposure training
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• Access the complete AquaExposure training
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• De Brauwer, M., et al. (2018). Impacts of disturbance from non-extractive wildlife-based tourism on marine animals. Journal of Environmental Management.
• Café Nemo: Spotify · Apple Podcasts · YouTube · Instagram