Underwater portraits of cancer survivors

Photographer Erena Shimoda uses her love for underwater photography to help people who have lived through traumatic experiences rebuild their self-esteem. Part of her Underwater Healer project focuses on working with people who have survived cancer.

Learn more about Shimoda's project on her Indiegogo page.

In this photo is Lindsey Henderson,a breast cancer survivor from Portland, Ore. Photo was taken in Seattle, Wash.

Photographer helps cancer survivors heal with underwater pictures

Breast cancer survivor Lindsey Henderson from Portland, Ore. Photo was taken in Seattle, Wash.

Erica Yee is a breast cancer survivor from the Bay Area. Yee uses yoga as a healing technique and worked with a Yoga teacher to prepare for her photo shoot. July, 2013.

Bernadette Leno is a breast cancer survivor from Vancouver, Canada. June, 2013.

Lisa Smith is a breast cancer survivor from Aptos, Calif. She has struggled with changes in her body and sought to improve her self-esteem with the photo shoot.

In this photo, Smith posed with her close friend, Robin, who also survived breast cancer. They both supported each other during their treatment. September, 2013

Izumi Hirayama is a breast cancer survivor from Japan. She is now studying Ayurveda in the Bay Area. February, 2013.

Sante Johnson is a breast cancer survivor from San Francisco. She is a hair stylist and a hand-embroiderer, working in the U.S. and Europe. July, 2013.

Lori Stone is a cervical cancer survivor from Seattle, Wash. She is a dancer and a photographer. She prepared her own props and costume for the photo shoot.

Nicki Curns Kominek is a Hodgkin's disease survivor. She still suffers from side effects of treatment and said she loved the feeling of freedom she had in the water.

Photographer Erena Shimoda during her shoot with cancer survivor, Izumi Hirayama.

Preparations for the photo shoot with Nicki Kominek. Her daughter, Sonia, acted as her make-up and hair stylist.

Behind the scenes at the portrait shoot with Sante Johnson. She brought one of her favorite fabrics to use as a backdrop.