TREИDNG PROFILES: Euan Rannachan -Diving into the World of Great White Sharks

Nestled in the Sierra foothills, just outside the small town of Placerville, California, Euan Rannachan has built a life that straddles two very different worlds. At home he is surrounded by mountains, forests and wildlife near Lake Tahoe, but much of his heart belongs to the ocean. It is here, amid the rolling surf and the deep blue, that Rannachan has forged a career as an acclaimed artist, storyteller and great white shark photographer.

“I’ve always been drawn to capturing nature,” he explains. “Whether it’s the animals in my backyard or the big creatures of the ocean further down the coast. That mix of home in the mountains and time at sea keeps me balanced.”

From fascination to lifelong pursuit

Rannachan’s fascination with sharks began in childhood, but it wasn’t until 2010 that he realised it was possible to dive with them so close to home. His discovery of Guadalupe Island – a remote volcanic island off the coast of Mexico – set him on a new path.

“It took a few years to save up, get the right gear, and waterproof my camera,” he recalls. “But once I finally went down in 2016, everything changed. That first dive lit something in me – I knew immediately this was what I wanted to dedicate my life to.”

The experience not only transformed his career but also led him to co-found Be A Shark with a friend he met on that very first trip. Together, they began taking people face-to-face with great whites, breaking down the fear and myths that surround these remarkable animals.

“Facilitating those encounters – watching people go from fear to awe in an instant – has been one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done,” he says.

More than just photographs

Rannachan’s images of sharks have been widely celebrated, but for him the real highlight lies in the reactions of those he introduces to the animals. “People always expect wild stories about sharks being aggressive, but the truth is I’ve never experienced that,” he notes. “Even with blood in the water, they aren’t interested in us. What I do have is countless moments of quiet awe and connection, which are far more powerful.”

His philosophy is simple: to show sharks as they truly are – apex predators worthy of respect, not mindless killers. “These animals are living dinosaurs,” he says. “To sit in the water with them is unlike anything else. I want people to feel awe when they see my work.”

Creativity without limits

While shark photography is central to his career, Rannachan’s creativity spans a range of mediums — from photography and film to design, woodworking and even cooking. His ability to shift between disciplines keeps his perspective fresh and his artistry evolving.

“If I re-edit a shark photo I worked on five years ago, it always comes out different today,” he explains. “My perspective changes, my tools improve, my life experiences shift – and all of that shows up in the work. Some people call that ‘style change’, but I think it’s more like evolution.”

A new challenge

In recent years, his shark work has been tested by the closure of Guadalupe Island, a blow that has left him both personally and professionally adrift. “That place was at the heart of my shark work – it’s where I felt like I was doing exactly what I was meant to do on this planet,” he reflects. “Having that taken away so suddenly has been devastating.”

Yet, Rannachan remains undeterred, drawing on his vast archive of footage and images while focusing on new projects. Alongside his personal brand Euanart, he serves as Creative Director for Dakota Shy Winery in Napa, producing striking visual storytelling in a completely different environment.

Inspiring the next wave

Beyond the sharks, Rannachan hopes his work encourages people to chase their own passions. “Shoot what you love, but also shoot what you want to be known for,” he advises. “Opportunities don’t just show up – you have to chase them. If you do that consistently, you’ll do fine.”

For him, photography is as much about the creative process as the end result. “Even in a world where AI can generate images, photography still requires an artist’s brain. That’s your superpower as a creator.”

Where to find his work

Today, Rannachan shares much of his art and shark photography on Instagram at @Euanart, where fans can connect with him directly. He also publishes longer-form content on YouTube, giving viewers a chance to immerse themselves in the water alongside great whites. His website, www.euanart.com, serves as a portfolio and another gateway into his world.

As his good friend and fellow photographer Mike Coots once told him: “We have an obligation to these animals to show them as we see them.” It is a mantra Rannachan has taken to heart. Whether through still images, video, or first-hand encounters, his mission remains the same – to replace fear with awe, and to remind us that the ocean’s most misunderstood predator is also one of its most extraordinary.

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