Tanya Houppermans is an underwater photographer/videographer and shark naturalist who left the corporate world behind in 2015 to work full time in underwater imaging and shark conservation.

She has won numerous international awards for her photography including the Grand Prize in the Big Picture Natural World Photography Competition, First Place in the 'Portrait' category in Underwater Photographer of the Year, and an unprecedented three First Place awards in the ‘Sharks’ category in the World Shootout (2015, 2017, and 2021).

Her images have appeared in publications around the world, including National Geographic.

She has also worked with some of the biggest names in broadcast media such as National Geographic, BBC, Discovery, and NBC both in front of and behind the camera.

Tanya is at the forefront of shark research collaborating with scientists to increase our knowledge of these misunderstood animals, especially the sand tiger sharks of North Carolina.

She has also conducted speaking engagements around the world in locations such as Paris, Singapore, Shanghai, and Washington D.C. Due to her significant contributions and discoveries in shark science, in 2023 Tanya was elected as a Fellow into the prestigious Explorer's Club.

She currently resides in Fredericksburg, Virginia USA with her husband and son.