“Why aren’t they attacking you?” “How come they’re not trying to eat you?” “I guess those sharks weren’t hungry?” “Aren’t you afraid when you’re around them?” These are some of the questions I get asked the most from people when swimming with sharks comes up in conversation. Breaking News: Sharks live in the ocean. I’ve realized from these shake-related conversations most persons’ only education about sharks is from shark horror movies or media headlines that present minimal and often misleading information about a negative shark encounter. The fact is the ocean just like the mountains, forests, and jungles, all have predators and we take a risk venturing into these places no matter how you look at it. Sharks are wild animals and top predators just like bears, wolves, and lions. They’re not eating or biting me because I don’t look, move, or smell like their prey. Also, the only reason the sharks in this clip are here is because of the scent of bait in the water we use to attract them. I’m not posing a threat to their well-being nor am I splashing and flailing in the water that resembles prey in distress that they hunt. Does that mean I have a 100% guarantee they may not see me as prey or test if I can be a meal? No, it doesn’t, but it greatly reduces the chance of it. Sharks would always take an opportunity for a chance for a meal, it’s how they are designed as predators to prey on dead or dying marine animals and investigate things that may act like it in the water. There are so many factors that are involved to try to paint a picture of what happened in a shark attack but at most any conclusions are just really strong guesses and hypotheticals since the shark themselves have no voice. Just like us, it’s their natural instinct to do what they must to survive. Are you afraid of sharks? The best way to overcome that fear is by educating yourself with the facts. Filmed by @mornehardenberg @shark_explorers

Since I don’t post much about myself here, allow me to reintroduce myself. My name is André, I’m 25. I was born, raised, and am based in Nassau, Bahamas. I've been shooting underwater photography & cinematography for 7 years and started working for myself 5 years ago. I was introduced to the ocean through spearfishing and freediving at 8 years old. I was scuba certified at 16 and worked up to getting my PADI Scubadiving Instructor certification. I don’t drink, smoke, or take any drugs. (never have and never plan to) Working with big sharks and freedivers are my favorite. Having to perform in intense underwater scenarios is what I live for. Bodybuilding is my main on-land hobby and I started at 14. If I didn’t have an underwater-focused career it would’ve probably been fitness-related. I’m a proud Christ-follower and Sabbath-keeping Christian by choice. I happily have a slight addiction to coconuts. My underwater camera journey unexpectedly introduced me to a few different roles including TV on-screen talent work, underwater stunts, private dive guide, and selling prints of my work. A friend once told me to do one thing that scares you every day and this caption is mine for today. This is the first and probably the last time you'll see a caption like this about me so any other questions, you’re just gonna have to ask me yourself. Photo by @scharadlphoto

When the gyms closed, but the pools open. 🏋🏽‍♂️🦈 #AndreMusgrove #Freediving #Bahamas #Bodybuilding #BahamasPhotographer 🎥: @underwatercameraman

Stare down with a Humpback Whale 😳, who blinked first? Starring eye to eye with an animal this huge as it swam directly towards me and just glided pass, was surreal. Definitely makes you feel small in the water. Diving with @mooreamoanatours and filmed under Mao Mana Foundation permit no. 6223 MCE/DIREN .

Glass half full kind of energy down here. Video by @perrinjames1 with @mooreamoanatours

Eye To Eye 🐋; I've spent the past two weeks filming alongside Humpback Whales in Moorea and Tahiti, learning a great deal from observing them in their natural habitat. Collaborating with the local guides at @mooreamoanatours to identify the appropriate whales to approach and interact with respectfully was a thrilling and novel experience for me that I look forward to using the knowledge I’ve gained in other ocean experiences. Featuring @ariadna_hafez . Shot under Mao Mana Foundation permit no. 6223 MCE/DIREN #AndreMusgrove #FrenchPolynesia #Moorea #HumpbackWhales

Sink & Think; ft. @ariadna_hafez With @mooreamoanatours #AndreMusgrove #FrenchPolynesia #Moorea #Sharks

I traveled across the globe for this moment. 🐋 Ever since I was a kid watching an episode of “Stanley: Great Big Book Of Everything”, I’ve dreamt my whole life of encountering Humpback Whales in the open ocean. I would imagined sinking below the surface with no fins, no scuba tank, minimal effort and letting these huge animals approach me and to look directly into their eyes. To listen to the songs they sing underwater, with the sounds being able to travel for miles underwater. A few days ago I got to experience just this. This mom and calf allowed us to be in the water with them for about 30 minutes as the sun was setting. My camera battery had died after shooting all day long and with the sunlight dropping I decide to just enjoy the final minutes of daylight, camera free. As the mum and baby were hovering in the water column the calf left from under its mom’s spectral fin and started swimming directly towards me as I waved my hand to say hello. As it approached me and swam overhead, it almost looked as if was waving back. To travel across the world from The Bahamas to French Polynesia for just 30 seconds of pure consciousness and being present with one of the largest animals on the planet is an incomparable feeling which gives me an even great appreciation for the work God put in to creating wildlife. Thank @brebythesea for being there to capture this moment that will live rent free in my mind forever. #AndreMusgrove #HumpbackWhales #Whales

The locals in French Polynesia are great 🦈🇵🇫

A quick look at what the schedule has been like lately. God is good.

Getting charged by a Tiger Shark 70ft underwater scuba diving. Here’s the full story and what to do if you’re ever in this situation. #TigerShark #AndreMusgrove #UnderwaterCameraman

Constantly seeking that feeling of flying underwater with the creatures that live there. #Freediving