BIO
BIOGRAPHY
Álvaro Herrero aka Mekan, originally from Spain, has had a deep connection with the ocean since his grandfather gifted him a mask at the age of 5. By age 8, he began experimenting with photography using his father's old camera.
With over nineteen years and 5,000 dives, he has worked as a diving instructor, commercial diver, dive equipment repair technician, boat skipper and underwater photographer, teaching courses and masterclasses worldwide.
His spirit of exploration has led him to gain extensive experience in outdoor sports, including climbing and spelunking. His technical training includes the JJ-CCR rebreather for depths of over 100m, as well as the Kiss Sidewinder and DPV for cave diving.
Álvaro has worked as an underwater photographer in locations such as Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, the Maldives, the Red Sea, Polynesia and Mexico.
He has won awards in prestigious contests, including the grand title of Underwater Photographer of the Year 2025, Wildlife Photographer of the Year, Red Bull Photo Illume and the Siena International Photo Awards, among others.
He captured his deepest photograph at 110m in the Lombok Strait and currently explores and documents the caves of Mexico. In addition to photography, Álvaro leads his own ocean expeditions, guiding people to experience marine wildlife encounters while coaching them in underwater photography.
With nearly 40k organic followers on Instagram, he is a recognized figure in the underwater photography scene worldwide.
AWARDS
2025
Underwater Photographer of the Year 2025 - Overall Winner, Runner Up Wide Angle
2024
Underwater Photographer of the Year 2024 - Highly Commended, Wrecks
Underwater Photographer of the Year 2024 - Commended, Wrecks
Underwater Photographer of the Year 2024 - Highly Commended, Wide Angle
Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2024 - Photojournalism Highly Commended
Big Picture Competition 2024 - Human/Nature Finalist
Siena Photo Awards 2024 - Underwater Life Honorable Mention “Split Shark”
2023
Luca Memorial Contest 2023 Overall winner
Siena Photo Awards 2023 “Documentary and Photojournalism” 3rd Classified
Ocean Photographer of the Year 2023 Overall winner 3rd Place
Montphoto 2023 “Environmental Report” Category Winner
Aqaba 1st International Underwater Photography Competition 2023 2nd Overall Place
UN World Ocean Days 2023 “No Time to Waste” Winner 2023
Red Bull Photo Illume 2023 Finalist “Masterpiece”
Red Bull Photo Illume 2023 Finalist “Innovation”
ASFERICO 2023 “Salmon run” Underwater Worlds, Highly commended
ASFERICO 2023 “Hopeless” Man and nature, Highly commended
Luca Memorial Photo Contest 2023 (Jan-April) Caving Winner #1
2022
SANTI PHOTO AWARDS 2022 8th place
MANGROVE ACTION PROJECT 2022 “Flying crocodile” Highly commended
2021
SANTI PHOTO AWARDS 2021 7th place
ORCA TORCH 2021 Search for Atlantis Photo Contest Overall Winner
ASFERICO 2021 “Interspecific interaction” Underwater Worlds, Runner Up
UPY 2021 “Upside down” Wide angle, Commended
GDT 2021 “Playground” Underwater World, Highly commended
2020
MANGROVE ACTION PROJECT 2020 “Sponges in the Mangrove” Highly commended
GDT 2020 “Fighting no matter what” Men and Nature, Runner Up
2018
GDT 2018 “Reflection” Underwater world, Highly commended