FASHION MODEL DANCES WITH MANTA RAYS

FASHION MODEL DANCES WITH MANTA RAYS

It’s possibly on of the most surreal and crazy projects the fashion world has ever been involved in but look out for 'Mantas Last Dance', the viral video created by members of the fashion industry in a bid to raise awareness of the plight of these majestic creature. The video features a ‘mermaid’ dancing beneath the waves with a 15ft manta ray and was created by photographer Shawn Heinrichs.

Heinrichs told the press, 'We had an extremely precise vision, however we were both apprehensive as to the chances of actually capturing this never before seen imagery.'

The footage was shot off Kona Hawaii in the Pacific Ocean and features professional mermaid model Hannah Fraser who free dives regularly for up to two minutes per dive.

Heinrichs described the video as 'the world's first ever manta ray fashion/conservation shoot'.

When asked about the technicalities of the shoot he said, 'We had an extremely precise vision, however we were both apprehensive as to the chances of actually capturing this never before seen imagery,'

Hannah Fraser was anchored in a huge swell at a depth of 30ft by 50lb weights on one ankle, whilst massive wild mantas brushed against her.

It was shot over five days, working up to 20 hours a day and Mr Heinrichs said, ‘tears were shed’ when the crew saw the finished film.

He told the press, 'The reaction of people when they see the footage and imagery alternates between utter disbelief and accusations of CGI and Photoshop, to even envy... Our objective with this shoot was to present the beauty of the manta rays, their willingness to interact with humans in the hope of inspiring people to conserve this magnificent animal.'

The rays a slaughtered for their gills which are used in Asian medicines.

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