Anthony Grote

Website Manager at Bluewater Photo

Anthony Grote has been a professional freelance photographer for more than 20 years, with a passion for underwater photography. He has also been a freelance Web designer and Manager for more than 15 years, now works full time for Bluewater Photo.

Anthony Grote is a South African-based professional photographer, widely recognized for his work in underwater, wildlife, adventure sports, and hospitality photography. His passion for the craft began in the early 1990s during his studies, where he initially focused on bird photography.

As his interest expanded into underwater photography, Anthony moved to the Cayman Islands, where he spent two years working as an underwater photo pro. He later returned to South Africa to establish his own photography business, specializing primarily in adventure sports (Mountainbiking, Road & Trail Running, Ocean and River Paddling) and the hospitality (Hotel and Game Lodges) industry, covering establishments around the globe, from Cayman Islands, to South Africa, Zambia, Seychelles, Mozambique, Kenya and Tanzania.

Over the years, Anthony has received numerous accolades for his underwater and wildlife imagery. His work has also included contributions to the National Geographic production The Real Serengeti, filmed in the iconic Serengeti wilderness.

Today, Anthony continues to travel the globe, diving and documenting nature whenever possible. He currently serves as the Website Manager for Bluewater Photo, while still pursuing adventure sports photography in his spare time.

What's in Anthony's Dive Bag?

Photo Gear

Nikon Z6II camera,
Nikon Z8 camera,

Nikon Z 17-28 mm lens

Nikon Z 70-200mm f2.8 lens
Nikon F 60mm/105mm macro lenses,
Nikon F 8-15mm fisheye lens,
Aquatica Z8 housing with accessories.
Inon Z240 strobes,

Kraken LTD 10000 Video Lights
Weefine WF103 Focus Light

Scuba Gear

Custom Rob Allen Wetsuit

Scubapro Regulator

Oceanic Islander BCD

Aqualung Fins

Tusa Mask

Latest Reviews & Guides by Anthony Grote

Hands-On Review of the Aquatica Nikon Z8 Housing

The Marelux Apollo Y was quietly released in late 2025 without much fanfare or buzz. In fact I almost missed the update. But when Staney from Marelux shipped me a demo strobe, I was floored – this was the entry [...]

UW Lighting Guides

Professional Underwater Video Lights 2026

We put this guide together for divers and underwater shooters who are comparing serious video lights, not tiny focus lights or entry-level torches. This lineup is all about high-output lighting for wide-angle video, bigger rigs, wrecks, caves, blue-water scenes, and demanding shooting conditions. For most people, including myself, the biggest differences come down to beam angle, color quality, runtime, secondary modes, travel practicality, and how much rig management the light requires underwater.

Best Underwater Strobes: Our Top Picks for 2026

At Bluewater Photo, we believe that gear reviews are only as valuable as the depths to which they are tested. We don't just evaluate equipment in store, we take it into the world’s most demanding underwater environments, be it from the surge-heavy kelp forests of Anacapa Island to the high-visibility tropical reefs of the Sea of Cortez or Fiji. This allows us not only to test how it functions underwater, but also how well the strobe travels, which is often a factor when choosing new strobes.

Best Underwater Camera for Snorkeling

When looking for the best underwater camera for snorkeling, your priorities need to focus on sensor resolution, video frame rates, stabilization, and real-world ergonomics. Snorkeling is a highly streamlined, fast-moving activity. Unlike scuba diving, you do not have the luxury of a buoyancy compensator or a constant air supply to stay stable while adjusting complicated menus. You need to react instantly, meaning your gear must be lightweight, accessible, and intuitive.