I’m Cobi Hay Yacobi, a marine nature photographer specializing in underwater photography. I’ve been diving for over 20 years, with more than 1000 dives around the world, from the Red Sea’s coral reefs to tropical reefs farther afield. A camera has joined me on almost every dive, driven by a love of marine life and visual art.
My fascination with life underwater began while I was raising ornamental fish, corals, and invertebrates. Photographing what I saw gave me a fresh sense of wonder. Photographing marine life became a language of my own, expressed through color, movement, and deep stillness.
I’m also hard of hearing. Underwater, my world changes: conversation and noise give way to an inner rhythm and intuition. Diving gives me space to switch off and feel my surroundings. Shapes, light, and color take the place of voices and sounds. Through my photographs, I share that feeling with you.
I hope my photographs bring you a sense of calm, inspiration, and connection to a world beneath the surface. For me, this work is a heartfelt part of who I am.
A Personal Journey, Frame by Frame
These photographs are part of my life. Each frame marks a stop on a journey across coastlines, seas, and continents, above and below the water. Each holds a moment when I paused, took a breath, and pressed the shutter. These images let me tell the sea’s story alongside my own. This work has also challenged me to work through shyness, silence, and personal obstacles, and to find the courage to dive deeper into the water and into myself.
How I Choose the Photographs
I choose each photograph from thousands of images because of the feeling it carries. On a dive, I use professional cameras, waterproof housings, powerful strobes, dedicated lights, and lenses suited to the marine environment. But patience matters most: waiting for the moment when everything comes together in a single, living frame.
Where the Colors Come From
The color in my photographs comes from the scene itself, not from Photoshop. Lighting is central to my work. I use dedicated underwater lights to reveal the natural colors. Sometimes I remove particles or minor blemishes in editing, but my principle is simple: the photograph should reflect what I saw.
A Feeling to Take Home
I hope you enjoy these photographs and take home the feeling they hold: a vivid, quiet underwater world, full of life, that stays with you long after you return to shore.
Get in TouchQuestions and Answers
How did you start photographing marine life?
My love of the sea and its animals led me to photography. For years, I worked with ornamental fish, corals, and invertebrates. I was surrounded by beauty and wanted to preserve those moments, record the animals’ behavior, and share the feeling with others. So I picked up a camera and took professional photography equipment underwater. From there, photography became a way to express how I experience the sea.
What makes your photographs distinctive?
I want each photograph to capture the feeling of a real moment. Nothing is staged or posed, and the scenes aren’t manipulated. I spend time learning the surroundings, recognizing patterns of behavior, and waiting before I press the shutter. Patience and close observation shape every photograph. People who enjoy my work often say they ‘feel as though they’re there.’ To me, that feeling is what makes a photograph moving. The underwater world is full of small moments that tell whole stories when you look closely.
How does diving shape the way you photograph?
Diving is how I reach these moments, and it shapes the way I work. As someone who is hard of hearing, I’m used to communicating without words. Beneath the surface, I tune into movement, light, and an inner rhythm. I rely on my eyes and instincts, often noticing details others might miss: a turtle’s breath, the sway of a tail, a shaft of light breaking through the water. It’s a way to be fully present.
How can I buy a print?
Visit the online shop to explore my collection of marine photographs. Choose a matte canvas print in one of the sizes listed on its product page. Looking for another size or framing? Get in touch to discuss what you have in mind. Prints arrive ready to hang in your home or workplace, or to give as a thoughtful gift. Bring a little of the sea’s calm and depth into your everyday space.
Where can I read more?
For a closer look at life behind the lens, visit my blog. I share the stories behind the photographs, memorable encounters at sea, thoughts on the equipment I use, and tips for photographers starting out.
I also share new work on Instagram and Facebook with fresh perspectives on life underwater. Follow along for new photographs, updates from my dives, and occasional personal moments.
A Personal Invitation
If you’ve read this far, something in these photographs has probably sparked your curiosity, moved you, or made you pause. Keep exploring the galleries, ask a question, send me a message, or bring a little of the sea’s stillness home. I hope the experience that begins through my lens stays with you.
To bring my underwater photography into your workplace, explore ideas for wall art for business.
Shop Canvas Prints