There is no limit to how creative we can get when it comes to taking care of our planet. This just might be one of the more creative ways people are going about it.
“Our goal and my mission when I came up with the idea, is to use art to create awareness for ocean conservation,” says celebrity fashion photographer and creator of Project Mermaids, Angelina Venturella. “Our images get people’s attention and so do the celebrities who partner with us. From there we are able to deliver regular messages of conservation and activism.”
What started out in Los Angeles, photographing celebrities like Vanessa Hudgens and Brooke Burke as mermaids while raising awareness for ocean conservation, has now become a worldwide viral tour. Ocean Ramsey has even been photographed for their campaign. But while Project Mermaids used to feature celebrity models, raising money for a fundraising event, according to Venturella, they’ve added a twist this time around. Now, she and acclaimed underwater photographer Chiara Salomoni are touring the world, raising awareness and money for the Save Our Beaches organization by giving women the chance to have their own Project Mermaids photo shoot.
“With our art we want to bring people’s attention to a bigger problem that needs to be taken care of now, one step at a time,” says Salomoni. “I started working with Project Mermaids because I wanted to put my photography to use for a cause really close to my heart. I hoped to virtually reach many and show them the beauty that is fading away little by little because of our indifference. Somewhere along the way I found myself more aware and careful about the environment and I started learning and researching more and more.”
This is way more creative than another beach clean up.
Editor’s Note: Learn more about the Project Mermaids campaign here, and the Project Mermaids Tour here.
