Becky Kagan Schott -
All around badass-
Tech instructor - Ice diver- Photographer/Videographer/ photogrammetrist- 5-time Emmy-award winner camerawoman - co-owner of Liquid Productions
Becky started diving when she was 12 and was an instructor by age 18. In her early 20s, she became a techy and was soon a mixed gas rebreather instructor teaching two units. She is a 5-time Emmy award winner camerawoman and photographer, with films shown on the National Geographic, Discovery and Smithsonian channels.
She is the co-owner of Liquid Productions, Inc, specializing in capturing images in extreme underwater environments from caves, under ice, deep shipwrecks and wildlife Her biggest passion is shooting haunting images of shipwrecks in the Great Lakes. In the past few years, she’s also been working on producing high-quality 3D photogrammetry models which showcase shipwrecks in a new way. In March 2023, she opened an exhibit at the Wisconsin Maritime Museum showcasing 50 shipwreck images from the Great Lakes and interactive 3D models of wrecks. Becky is on the US Antarctic Program’s Scientific Diving Control Board. She is a Fellow in the Explorers Club and, in 2013, she was inducted into the Women Divers Hall of Fame. She leads expeditions all over the world to capture unique images that inspire others to explore our planet!
When did you start diving?
I always felt drawn to the water and started diving a few weeks before my 12th Birthday.
What made you want to become a diver?
I was always mesmerised by documentaries on television about the ocean. I also loved reading about diving locations around the world and looking at underwater photos in dive magazines. I couldn’t imagine that these beautiful places really existed and felt compelled to see them for myself.
What is your best/most memorable dive?
It’s difficult to choose just one dive. I love all underwater environments from caves to shipwrecks and ice, and there’s nothing better than being with wildlife. If I had to choose one I’d say diving on the shipwreck Gunilda in Lake Superior. It’s one of the most beautiful shipwrecks I’ve ever seen. It’s in Northern Lake Superior in 38 Fahrenheit degree water that’s 270 feet deep. It took years of work up dives on trimix CCR and working up to doing long decompressions in cold water. It’s also pitch black down there so making sure the task loading with my camera and being able to communicate with my team was really important. One of the things I wanted to see most was the piano inside the wreck. Not many wrecks over a century old have a piano. When I finally saw it with my own eyes it was nothing short of surreal.
Most gratifying course you took or taught?
I’ve taught a lot of classes over the past 24 years. I’d say the most gratifying was the first Trimix CCR class I taught. I had worked hard to become an tech instructor, Rebreather Instructor and Trimix Instructor. Then seeing the students that I had taught from the beginning on a deep wreck in 200 feet of water doing really well, and having solid skills and awareness made me proud. It also made me realize I felt safe with them. I realized all of the effort we all put in had created safe and fun dive buddies and that’s what diving is all about.
5 qualities of a great dive pro?
1.Setting a good example for everyone. That’s not always easy but people are watching.
2. Leadership – sometimes you have to make difficult decisions but it’s important to make the right one and the safe one. Others are looking to you to speak up from experience.
3.Honesty – sometimes I get calls from individuals that aren’t ready for a particular class. I ask them about their goals and where they are at now in their diving. I then encourage them to take other classes first or do more dives to set themselves up for success in the future.
4.Following rules – In technical diving we have a lot of rules and they are put into place because people have lost their lives. It’s easy to become complacent and if you do, you not only put yourself at risk, but the people around you may start to think that behavior is normal and put themselves at risk.
5.Never stop learning and growing – It’s good to always practice your own skills and don’t let yourself become rusty. Try to take new courses or learn something new to keep diving fresh and exciting to you. Then you’ll have even more experience to share with your students.
Do you think women are different divers than men and why?
I think no matter what gender you are it takes a certain kind of adventurous personality to get into diving and continue with it.
One piece of advice for someone starting diving.
Find a good mentor and group to dive with. Diving is only half the fun. I’ve met some of my best friends through diving over the years. If you don’t know how to meet someone, sign up for a trip or take another course and you’ll meet other divers wanting to continue and better their own skills. Those are exactly the types of people you want to dive with!
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