Adorable snaps of babies taking a dip during a swimming class

Water babies! Adorable snaps capture little ones splashing around during swimming lessons

• Sheffield-based photographer Lucy Ray, 42, who runs Starfish Underwater Photography is behind snaps
• The adorable pictures show the babies enjoying a dip during their swimming lesson
• Chubby-cheeked babes are perfecting their underwater skills like little starfishes in the sweet photos

They’re just a few months old, but these adorable youngsters are already confident water babies. 

The young swimmers were snapped blowing bubbles as they built up their skills at lessons across the UK.

Sheffield-based photographer Lucy Ray, 42, who runs Starfish Underwater Photography is behind these heart-melting shots.

Going swimmingly! Dressed in a pretty blue and white swimsuit with ruffles, this baby girl from Rotherham worked off her modelling skills 

Twinkle, twinkle little star! This swimmer in Farnham took a fake starfish with him and showed the camera his cheeky side and his tongue 

Natural born swimmer! In Cheltenham, this champ showed how good they were at moving underwater as Lucy took their picture 

‘I have been photographing underwater for over 20 years and part of my work is with swim schools, photographing their students who are learning to swim,’ she said.

‘Baby swimming lessons are really popular. The swim schools I work with have a teacher in the water who positions the baby for their photo. They help the baby swim into the best position for their picture. Of course, it can be challenging working with babies.

‘They can be teething or tired or hungry when they get in the pool and that makes getting a good picture more challenging. That’s what makes these pictures so special – they aren’t that easy to capture. Also, babies can turn and move in unexpected directions when underwater.

‘Babies can swim from birth as they possess the gag reflex which means they automatically hold their breath. They are very at home underwater as it’s like being back in the womb for them.’

Sheffield-based photographer Lucy Ray, 42, who runs Starfish Underwater Photography is behind these heart-melting shots of babies taking a dip at Eaubaby Swim School in Cheltenham

The photographer said she advises that the babies should complete one term of swimming lessons before she can take their pictures so they look as comfortable as possible 

Ready for his close up! This baby boy was accompanied underwater by an inflatable toy shark during his swimming lesson at The Little Swim Club in Hook

In Lucy’s experience, babies are best photographed underwater when between the ages of five and twelve months and after they have completed a term of swimming lessons.

Her images are taken on professional SLR cameras placed in custom-made underwater housing for protection. She also uses underwater flash guns and backlights to illuminate the pools which are often indoors.

‘The images take a few seconds to capture but a lot of work goes into setting everything up,’ she said.

Just keep swimming! This adorable blue-eyed baby was photographed at Tiny Tots Splashes in Portsmouth and gave the camera a run for its money. 

Fishing for compliments! This boy from Farnham showed Lucy’s camera his best side. Lucy uses professional SLR cameras to shoot her images

Floating like a pro. In Farnham, this swimmer showed how comfortable he was underwater as Lucy snapped his portrait for his parents to cherish  

Making a splash! At Tadpole Swim School in Farnham, this little tot showed how brave he was by taking a big dive into the pool

‘The equipment takes a day to get ready and the underwater studio with light and background takes one and a half hours to set up.

‘The images can take between 30 minutes to two hours each to edit. I love the expressions on the babies’ faces when they are underwater. People always ask me ‘are they really underwater?’

‘I also love dressing the babies up in fancy dress and adding props like sea creatures to give the pictures a different look.’

Deep see cruising! A boy puckered up for his picture in Cheltenham. Lucy said the photo-taking process is quite quick during the swimming lessons 

Give us a wave! With her ruffled swimsuit, this stylish baby swimmer from Rotherham was photographed at the Forever Swim club 

Splashing through the waves! This baby from Cheltenham got his moment in front of the camera too. Lucy said the picture are not that simple to take 

A star(fish) is born! In Newark, this brave little girl took a dip during her swimming lesson at the Baby Sharks swimming club, with Lucy immortalising the moment

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