ABOUT Maxwel

A nature and wildlife cinematographer & photographer with a passion for showcasing the world's stunning natural diversity. Maxwel grew up on the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia before travelling around the world evolving his skills as a photographer. Maxwel is a certified commercial diver, rebreather diver, underwater and above water RED camera operator, tech diver, cave diver, experienced drone pilot, and acclaimed photographer. He's also a brand ambassador with Light & Motion, and Huish Outdoors, and a proud Canadian!

Q&A with Maxwel Hohn

Photo: Tynan Callesen

What’s it like being a professional underwater cinematographer?

It's exciting, challenging, and incredibly rewarding. Shooting with RED cinema cameras underwater requires a whole other level of specialized skills, equipment and training that I've had to acquire over the years. The challenge of shooting a specific species, behaviour or ecosystem offers new challenges on every job, that's the exciting part - you never know what will happen. My background as a commercial diver has prepared me for whatever a production can throw at me! Ultimately though, seeing your work broadcast as part of a larger project is an incredible feeling and something I'll never get tired of. I'm always looking for a new project to dive into.

What was it like winning so many awards and getting so much attention for the Tadpole doc? Humbling! I was in awe, I was completely blown away by the positive response from the film. Almost immediately after it was released my email and phone were buzzing like crazy from news crews, publicists and people expressing how much they enjoyed the film. It even ended up on the front page of The Province newspaper! The film has won nearly a dozen awards, including “Best Canadian Film”, “Best Underwater Cinematography” and “Best Nature Documentary”.

How long have you been diving?

I started freediving in 1996 and got certified as a scuba diver in 2004. At 18, in 2005, I was certified as a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor.

What made you want to become a diver?

I was very fortunate to have parents who supported my decision to travel at a young age. When I was 17 I left home to backpack in Honduras. I ended up travelling to the Bay Islands where I took my open water course. My instructor was a Kiwi named Orlando who seemed to have life all figured out! Living on a tropical island, teaching scuba diving...what could be better? He not only inspired me to become a diver but also to become an instructor. The next 8 years I spent travelling and working all over the world as a scuba instructor.

What role did commercial diving play?

I hit a point in my recreational diving career where I wanted to learn new skills and commercial diving was the answer. It enabled me to make a good living but also continue my passion to work as a diver.

Are you still a commercial diver?

Yes I am, I no longer work in the commercial diving industry or instruct others, instead I use my commercial diving certification as an underwater cinematographer. A lot of nature and wildlife productions require specific certifications, I’m currently the only diver in Canada that is commercially certified, rebreather certified, and own and operate my own underwater RED cinema cameras.

When did you get bitten by the photo bug?

In the early stages of my career as a recreational instructor I started shooting with a compact camera. Before Facebook was around I used to email my friends and family back home with photos from my diving and travelling adventures. Slowly my hobby progressed into a career with the help of sharing my work on social media. It helped me make great connections, which in turn allowed me to pursue my dream as an underwater cinematographer. I'm now currently filming for Netflix, Disney, Nat Geo, BBC, Apple TV and IMAX!

What does diving mean to you?

Diving opens our world to 360 degree environment. On land we are limited to where we can walk or climb, but underwater we have the ability to fly.

What are the challenges of product shoots?

Bubbles, backscatter, and marine life! Manufactures want to see their products used in beautiful clear water immersed with marine life. There are so many challenges when it comes to this, but I love it! It’s crucial to have a diving model who is comfortable in the water with good buoyancy control and doesn’t mind being blinded occasionally with big strobes or high powered lights.

Who is your go-to dive buddy?

Scuba diving is a sport that's full of amazing experiences and special encounters you can have underwater, and it's great to share those moments with a friend. I have many dive buddies. Some that like to join me in the cold waters of Canada, or some that prefer more technical challenges of exploring caves in Mexico, or some that prefer the laid back diving in warmer water in a tropical paradises. You can never have too many dive buddies. The one dive buddy who has stole my heart and I hope to continue travel through-out the world with is my partner Cailin Lindsay.

What is your favourite dive site?

During the summer I really enjoy fresh water diving in the lakes and river canyons of Vancouver Island. I’m drawn to these locations for the unique photography they present with tadpoles, lily pads, and schools of salmon. During the winter months diving with the stellar sea lions of Hornby Island is another favourite.

Congrats on winning the 2018 & 2019 Monterey Shootout! What was your approach?

The greatest challenge of the competition are the unknown factors like weather and water clarity. You only get 32 hours to shoot and produce your work. It’s very difficult to plan, especially if you are making a video. I like to spend as much time in the water during the first day to be able to piece together a video in the evening. During the second day I focus on photography and pick scenic positions in the kelp forests and wait for the wildlife to come to me.

Where would you like to dive but haven’t?

Antarctica is on the top of my list. One day I’d love to get in the water and film penguins and leopard seals. I'd also really like to dive in Chile!

Craziest thing you’ve seen underwater?

I was working underwater and had a pod of Orcas swim by. A large bull came very close and I’ll never forget the eye contact he made with me. It was a mix of emotions, but ultimately the orcas were not very interested in me.

Favourite dive snack?

I often spend a lot of time in cold water, so hearty, warm meals like a good soup are is my meal of choice.

Favourite diving movie?

It may sound cheesy, but I really enjoyed 'Into The Blue'. I really loved the treasure hunting aspect. The movie inspired me to purchase my own underwater metal detector and go hunt for treasure of my own.

Proudest diving moment or achievement?

The proudest moment of my dive career was when I was able to turn my passion of underwater cinematography into a career. It was largely thanks to my good friend Russell Clark who together with his brilliant mind for story telling we created Tadpoles: The Big Little Migration

What dive gear do you use?

BARE Sentry Tech Drysuit
Hollis Neotek Semi Dry
Hollis LX200 Regulators
Hollis Elite II Harness and Wing
Hollis M1 Mask
Hollis F1 Fin
Suunto EON Steel Computer
Suunto D5 Computer
BARE SB mid layer thermals

What camera gear do you use?

RED 8K V-Raptor, and RED Komodo x 2
Nauticam RED V-Raptor housing and RED Komodo housing
Canon lenses for RED
Canon R5 and Nauticam housing
Panasonic GH5 and GH5s
Aquatica AGH5 housing x 2
Light & Motion Sola Video Pro lights
And lots more you can look at here!