Ilaria Mariagiulia Rizzuto was born in Verona, Italy, and has at all times felt the ocean as her true house. Though raised removed from the coast, she grew up cultivating a deep fascination with water, practising varied aquatic sports activities that strengthened her bond with the ocean.
In 2019 she grew to become a licensed scuba diver and shortly after embraced freediving, discovering within the silence of the depths a spot of belonging and inspiration.
Her journey into underwater pictures started in 2021, guided by her accomplice and mentor, internationally acclaimed photographer Pietro Formis. With willpower and curiosity, Ilaria shortly developed a particular type, combining robust technical abilities with a delicate narrative imaginative and prescient.
From her very first pictures, she acquired recognition in main worldwide competitions comparable to Ocean Artwork, Underwater Photographer of the 12 months, Mare, Asferico, VIEPA, Memorial Maria Luisa and World Nature Images Awards amongst others.
In 2024 she was named Rising Photographer of the 12 months on the prestigious Og. Picoty Awards, confirming her expertise on the worldwide stage.
Her photos have been printed in a number of nationwide and worldwide magazines, and in 2024 she was invited as co-presenter at PHIDEX Manila, Asia’s main underwater pictures and diving occasion. Past pictures, she has collaborated on underwater movie tasks: in 2022 she labored as assistant digital camera operator on Divina, a documentary about Federica Pellegrini, and in 2024 she filmed the paralympic freediving world document underneath ice.
Ilaria is an envoy for Marelux and Beuchat, manufacturers that embody her ardour for high-quality instruments important to exploring and documenting the underwater world. Since 2025, she has additionally expanded her photographic language to terrestrial wildlife, attaining recognition on this subject as effectively.
For Ilaria, pictures is greater than artwork: it’s a technique of conservation and consciousness. By way of her photos, she seeks to disclose the delicate complexity of ecosystems, whether or not within the ocean depths, the stillness of a forest, or the fragile motion of an insect — at all times guided by the identical power, respect, and love for all times.
Extra from Ilaria: ilariamariagiulia.com and Instagram @ilariamariagiulia
Blue shark, Pico Island, Azores. A smooth blue shark (Prionace glauca) gliding by the Atlantic waters.
Swish and inquisitive, it is likely one of the most iconic pelagic predators.
Encountered within the deep blue off the Azores.
Harlequin shrimp, Puerto Galera, Philippines. 
A fragile (Hymenocera elegans) feeding on a sea star.
With its vivid patterns, it’s among the many most iconic topics in macro pictures.
African pompano, Blackwater dive, Anilao, Philippines. 
Juvenile African pompano (Alectis ciliaris) with its elegant trailing filaments.
A uncommon encounter, drifting within the open ocean at night time.
Probably the most sought-after topics in blackwater pictures.
Clownfish in its anemone, Anilao, Philippines.
A vibrant clownfish nestled among the many protecting tentacles of its host anemone.
This iconic symbiosis affords each shelter and protection within the reef ecosystem.
A traditional but timeless topic of tropical underwater pictures.
Juvenile Carangid, Blackwater dive, Anilao, Philippines.
A younger carangid fish in search of shelter beside drifting particles.
Blackwater dives reveal the delicate early levels of many pelagic species.
A fleeting encounter with life suspended within the open ocean.
Leaf scorpionfish backlit, Anilao, Philippines. 
A leaf scorpionfish (Taenianotus triacanthus) captured towards the sunshine.
Its translucent physique reveals intricate textures and particulars.
A grasp of camouflage, mixing completely into the reef surroundings.
Bottlenose dolphin, Strait of Gubal, Purple Sea. 
A swish bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) gliding by the clear waters.
Identified for intelligence and playfulness, dolphins are symbols of freedom within the ocean.
Encountered within the vibrant waters of the Purple Sea’s Gubal Strait.
Jackfish twister, Cabo Pulmo, Mexico. 
An enormous college of bigeye trevally (Caranx sexfasciatus) swirling in good unison.
This pure spectacle transforms the ocean right into a dwelling vortex of silver.
Probably the most iconic scenes of Cabo Pulmo’s marine sanctuary.
Bull shark at El Vencedor wreck, Cabo Pulmo, Mexico. 
A strong bull shark (Carcharhinus leucas) patrolling the wreck of El Vencedor.
Surrounded by dense faculties of fish, it embodies the uncooked power of the reef.
A hanging black-and-white scene from the guts of Cabo Pulmo’s marine reserve.
Alpha sea lion, Isla EspÃritu Santo, La Paz, Mexico. A dominant male California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) patrolling his rocky area.
His power and authority preserve order throughout the colony.
An impressive guardian of the marine sanctuary of EspÃritu.
Sea lions play-fighting, Isla EspÃritu Santo, Mexico.
Two California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) engaged in a spirited play-fight.
Their interactions strengthen social bonds throughout the colony.
Captured within the dynamic waters surrounding Isla EspÃritu Santo.
Blenny in mind coral, Anilao, Philippines.
A small blenny peeking out from the ridges of a mind coral.
Illuminated with a slim beam of sunshine, the coral glows in vivid neon hues.
An ideal instance of the hidden magnificence in Anilao’s reefs.
Male paper nautilus, Blackwater dive, Anilao, Philippines.
A tiny male paper nautilus (Argonauta argo) drifting throughout the open ocean.
Its delicate shell and golden hues stand out towards the darkish water.
A uncommon and magical encounter of blackwater pictures in Anilao.
Crown-of-thorns starfish, night time dive, Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.
A hanging crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci) captured throughout an evening dive.
Its vivid spines glow underneath the dive lights, highlighting its formidable presence.
Each stunning and harmful, this species performs a dramatic function on coral reefs.
Large manta ray, Revillagigedo (Socorro), Mexico.
An impressive large oceanic manta ray (Mobula birostris) hovering gracefully by the blue.
Its huge wingspan and stylish presence dominate the waters of Socorro.
An unforgettable encounter within the distant Revillagigedo Archipelago.
Crisaora isocella jellyfish with juvenile fish.
A Crisaora isocella jellyfish cut up in half, revealing tiny juvenile fish in search of refuge.
The fragile steadiness between fragility and safety unfolds on this distinctive scene.
A hanging instance of symbiosis and survival within the open ocean.
Mantis shrimp, Mediterranean Sea.
A mantis shrimp (Squilla mantis) captured with its hanging eyes and raptorial claws.
A powerful predator of the sandy seabed, identified for its lightning-fast strikes.
A uncommon close-up portrait from the Mediterranean depths.
Stargazer, Rijeka, Croatia.
A well-camouflaged stargazer (Uranoscopus scaber) buried within the sand.
Its upward-facing eyes and hidden mouth reveal a grasp ambush predator.
A rare night time dive encounter within the northern Adriatic.
Purple-mouthed goby, Rijeka, Croatia.
Shut-up of a red-mouthed goby (Gobius cruentatus), highlighting its vivid colours.
The hanging purple patterns round its mouth stand out towards the darkish background.
A uncommon Adriatic portrait showcasing this small but charming species.
Squat lobster in crinoid, Puerto Galera, Philippines.
A tiny squat lobster (Allogalathea elegans) nestled among the many arms of a crinoid.
Its colors mix completely with its delicate host for camouflage.
A traditional macro encounter from the wealthy reefs of Puerto Galera.
You could find extra of Ilaria’s incredible pictures on her web site ilariamariagiulia.com and Instagram @ilariamariagiulia
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