My experience with Ed Papp, the Mermaid Hunter, was an AMAZING ADVENTURE. I first heard about Ed and his work from an acquaintance who had the pleasure of scoring an audition with him. She had suggested that I contact him if I was interested. I was hesitant at first  as I didn't know if I could meet the "standards of a mermaid." About two months later, after visiting Ed's website several times, I decided to go for it and send in my pictures. About three days later I received a voice mail from Ed and quickly returned his call and was offered an audition. Although I was extremely excited, I was nervous as well, as I had only modeled for the camera once before, and NEVER before underwater. On my way to the audition I was thinking so many things; "What if I can only hold my breath for fifteen seconds?, "What if I can't achieve the right look?" But, within ten minutes of meeting Ed and getting to know him, I instantly calmed down. First, Ed took me to a tank that was filled with water and had three windows for shooting. After getting comfortable in the water, and receiving instruction from Ed, I submerged under the water. The first time I don't think I held my breath for more than thirty seconds, if that! And I don't believe the second time was much better. But Ed taught me some breathing techniques that helped me greatly. I eventually ended up holding my breath for a little more than two minutes, which was something I didn't even think was possible for me!  

 

After about a thirty minute break the next phase of the audition/adventure was going to an underwater shipwreck. Ed tied one length of rope to the front of the boat, and another section of rope to the back, deeper end, of the boat. Ed instructed me to first get used to the water and to calm my nerves and taught me how to pop my ears so that the water pressure would not hurt them. On my first attempt I made it down to front of the boat, about eighteen feet down, then to the side of the window, which took a few attempts as I was having trouble holding on the the side of the boat. I attempted to reach the deepest point of the boat which was over thirty feet under water. Ed stated that I was about eight to ten feet from the bottom, but I was unable to make it all the way. This is my future goal! I found it easier to stay underwater, both in the tank and near the shipwreck when I was posing, as it kept my mind off the fact that I was underwater.

 

Overall, the mermaid experience was one of the best of my life. Not only did I do things that I never knew I had the ability to do, it built more confidence in myself. Ed taught me a lot, and I am truly grateful that I had the chance to work with him I plan to come back a lot more to train, learn from him, and make beautiful footage and pictures.

Thank you so much Ed for this opportunity....I can't wait to come back! 

 

~*~*Asia*~*~