Shark: Portraits

The book captures the beauty of apex predators, specifically sharks, up close and unflinchingly. It reflects a global shift from fear to endearment as people are falling in love with sharks while acknowledging the increasing risk of their endangerment. Mike Coots, who had a near-death experience with a tiger shark as a teenager and has since dedicated his life to capturing and sharing the beauty of sharks, presents his unique perspective through portraits that expose both the brawn and brains of these creatures. Coots travels the world, including locations like Hawaii, Mexico, New Zealand, Bahamas, and the Maldives, free diving and scuba diving often without a cage. The book features extraordinary portraits of various shark species, including Tigers, Great Hammerheads, Oceanic White Tips, Lemons, Silvertips, Caribbean Reef Sharks, and massive Great Whites. The images provide an intimate and detailed view of each species, anthropomorphizing the giant fish and revealing their stunning character. The goal is to showcase the importance of sharks in maintaining a healthy ocean while emphasizing their beauty and dispelling negative stereotypes.