Fred Buyle is a freediver explorer and a photographer born in 1972. Since his childhood he has been in contact with the sea, spending several months a year on the family’s sailboat. At the age of 10, he discovers free diving. After years of practice, he becomes scuba diving instructor and started to teach free diving in 1991.

He sets his 1st world record in 1995 and then decides to dedicate his life to
freediving. He achieves three more world records between 1997 and 2000. In 1999, Frederic passes the100m’s mythical barrier on one breath of air, being the 8th person to do so. 

In 2002, he starts underwater photography to show the beauty of freediving and the underwater world. Fred comes from an artistic background. His grand grand father was a pioneer of photography in the 1890’, his grand father was a painter and his father an advertising and fashion photographer during the 1960’.
His work shows these various influences. 

To take his pictures and videos Fred uses a simple formula: the water, available light, a camera and one breath of air, nothing more, nothing less.

A freediver is able to capture unique moments thanks to his simple equipment and ease of movement. Fred has been taking pictures down to 60m on single breath of air and on remote locations where light logistics makes all the difference.

What makes Fred’s photography different from any other underwater photography is his rather zen and minimalistic approach to this media.

Concerned by conservation and environmental issues for many years, in 2005 he starts to work with marine biologists around the world to assist them in their field work. He uses his freediving skills to approach the animals and perform tasks such as acoustic and satellite tagging or DNA sampling. Fred collaborated with international teams to provide them his practical knowledge and his extensive experience in the water with large marine life.

During these missions, Fred documents the field work to contribute to conservation on a larger scale through talks and conferences. Numerous NGO’s are using his material for their conservation campaigns.

His approach to conservation is rather practical and realistic. Impact on wildlife and carbon footprint has to be the primary concern for someone who wants to make a difference. In the 2020’s we all have to be more frugal and avoid unnecessary travel and wildlife disturbance. Sustainability must be part of conservation and media practices.

Fred’s work has been published in Apnea, Chocs, Daily Mail, Diver, Diver Japan, Dyking, L’Equipe Magazine, ESPN The Magazine, Focus, Geo, Hawaii Skin Diver, Melange, Men’s Health, National Geographic, New Look, The New York Times, Océans, Ocean Geographic, Outside, Paris Match, Plongeurs International, Der Spiegel, Thalassa, The Telegraph, the Times, Unterwasser amongst others
Corporate work for IWC Shaffausen, Hamilton Watches, Red Bull, Tahiti Tourisme, Hermes, Decathlon, Mares, Ulysse Nardin, Nikon