Scottish photographer and visual artist Euan Rannachan has dedicated his career to capturing stunning up-close images of great white sharks, transforming his childhood fascination with apex predators into a lifelong artistic mission. Known for his fearless approach to underwater photography, Rannachan travels the world's oceans to document these magnificent creatures through both photography and various artistic mediums, including charcoal drawings and 3D-printed sculptures.

Rannachan's passion for powerful predators began in childhood, when he decorated his bedroom walls with life-sized polar bear posters while other kids preferred cars and planes. His fascination with apex predators naturally evolved to include massive great white sharks, though he initially believed seeing them required expensive trips to South Africa, New Zealand, or Australia. Everything changed in 2016 when he discovered Mexico's Guadalupe Island and made his first cage diving expedition.

The photographer's inaugural encounter with great whites proved transformative, despite the technical challenges of learning underwater photography equipment and cage etiquette. "The first time a massive white shark cruised past the cage, I wasn't scared—I was buzzing with excitement," Rannachan recalls. "Being eye-to-eye with them is like standing in front of a living dinosaur. It's completely out-of-body, and every single encounter feels that way."

With nearly two decades of professional photography experience, including work with NASCAR campaigns for Clorox, product photography for Burt's Bees, and coverage of the San Jose Sharks hockey team, Rannachan brought substantial technical expertise to his underwater ventures. He has also documented big-wave surfing at Mavericks and served as Creative Director for Dakota Shy Winery in Napa Valley for the past 15 years. However, underwater shark photography presented entirely new challenges requiring specialized housing equipment and understanding of light behavior beneath the surface.

The photographer emphasizes that his hundreds of hours in the water with great whites have never involved aggressive behavior toward humans, contradicting popular misconceptions fueled by Hollywood portrayals. "I've seen them aggressive toward other animals, sure, but never toward humans," he explains. "That shattered a misconception I carried with me into the cage—one that I think a lot of people have because of Hollywood and the way sharks are portrayed."

Safety protocols vary significantly depending on location and species. At Guadalupe Island, where sharks hunt massive pinniped colonies including elephant seals and sea lions, cages provide essential protection against mistaken identity incidents. However, when photographing blue sharks, makos, and other species, Rannachan often free-dives without cages, relying on ethical bait lines and careful awareness of shark behavior. "You keep eye contact, you establish presence, and if a shark comes a little too close, a simple redirection—a hand on the snout to gently push them away—is often enough," he notes.

Beyond photography, Rannachan explores shark themes through multiple artistic mediums. His charcoal drawings capture the intricate details of shark anatomy, while his 3D-printing projects create accurate jaw replicas without harming live animals. A four-foot set of jaws in his kitchen, based on scans from a 22-foot white shark lost to bycatch, became the foundation for a custom jaw sculpture business. He has also begun experimenting with virtual reality technology, drawing three-dimensional shark forms that allow viewers to walk around the sculptures.

The artist's conservation message centers on direct experience and education. "If someone is really interested in sharks, the best thing they can do is actually go and see them in the wild with a reputable, ethical dive company," Rannachan advocates. "Getting in the water with these animals—seeing them with your own eyes—is the fastest way to break through the old fears and really understand just how incredible they are." He emphasizes supporting transparent conservation organizations and promoting responsible ecotourism that funds research while educating the public.

Currently, Rannachan faces challenges due to Guadalupe Island's closure over the past few years, though rumors suggest potential reopening. He plans to focus on New Zealand and Australia, which currently show incredible great white activity, while potentially exploring South African waters. Meanwhile, he continues his diverse creative work including art direction at Dakota Shy Winery, big-wave surfing photography at Mavericks, and coverage of music festivals like BottleRock, Aftershock, and Ohana.

Despite his varied professional commitments, Rannachan remains focused on his primary passion. "In the back of my mind, I'm always waiting for the chance to get back to what I feel I was put here to do—capturing white sharks," he concludes. "That's the work that drives me most, and I'll be ready the moment the opportunity comes." His ultimate goal remains unchanged: using powerful imagery to transform public perception of sharks from feared monsters into the intelligent, complex apex predators worthy of respect and conservation.