A Lifelong Love for the Ocean
Álvaro Herrero, also known as Mekan, hails from Spain and has fostered a deep connection with nature since childhood. His journey into the marine world began at the age of five when his grandfather gave him his first set of fins, mask, and snorkel. That moment sparked a passion that would shape his life. By eight, Mekan was already dabbling in photography, using his dad's old camera to capture the world around him.
Over the past 18 years, Mekan has become an expert diver and underwater photographer, accumulating an impressive list of experiences. He has worked as a diving instructor, commercial diver, diving equipment repair and maintenance technician, boat skipper, and underwater photography coach. His extensive training includes certifications as a technical diver with the JJ-CCR rebreather, Advanced Mixed Gas, full cave CCR diver with the Kiss Sidewinder, and DPV cave diver. In addition to diving, Mekan is skilled in free diving, high mountain lake diving, ice diving, caving, and SRT techniques, and is an experienced mountain guide.
For Mekan, the ocean is both a sanctuary and an inexhaustible source of inspiration.
"Passion for marine life is the driving force of my work. It's what makes me go out every day to look for new photography opportunities. On one hand, because I like to spend my time in nature, in the ocean, or in any body of water surrounded by aquatic wildlife…” he explains.
This passion drives him to explore new photographic opportunities daily, capturing the beauty and diversity of marine life. His mission is not only to document this beauty but also to preserve it for future generations, motivated by the fear that these magnificent creatures might soon disappear due to human impact. “…on the other hand, because in some way I want to capture in images the greatest amount of wildlife on our planet, because I fear that it will soon disappear.”
Capturing Emotions and Telling Stories
For Mekan, photography is a powerful way to capture emotions and freeze moments in time. He feels a deep sense of freedom and happiness while taking photographs, especially those that reveal the hidden wonders of the underwater world to people who might never have the opportunity to see them in person.
“One of the things that fills my heart the most is being able to show people, the world, what is underwater, as these people may never have the opportunity to see it with their own eyes.”
One of his most unforgettable moments was an encounter with a humpback whale that seemed to recognise him from a previous meeting, demonstrating a unique and intimate connection between man and marine life.
“…He was with another whale, and they were passing below us. I don't know how, but I felt like he recognised me. She looked me in the eyes and I looked at her. She turned around and approached me at a distance where I could have touched her with my hand (but I didn't, I like to respect marine life). She looked me in the eyes and I moved my camera away to look her in the eyes. It was an unforgettable moment. I felt a special connection with the whale. After a few minutes, she turned around and, taking special care not to hit me with her tail, she slowly and kindly left.”
For Mekan, photography is a powerful way to capture emotions and freeze moments in time. He feels a deep sense of freedom and happiness while taking photographs, especially those that reveal the hidden wonders of the underwater world to people who might never have the opportunity to see them in person.
“One of the things that fills my heart the most is being able to show people, the world, what is underwater, as these people may never have the opportunity to see it with their own eyes.”
One of his most unforgettable moments was an encounter with a humpback whale that seemed to recognise him from a previous meeting, demonstrating a unique and intimate connection between man and marine life.
“…He was with another whale, and they were passing below us. I don't know how, but I felt like he recognised me. She looked me in the eyes and I looked at her. She turned around and approached me at a distance where I could have touched her with my hand (but I didn't, I like to respect marine life). She looked me in the eyes and I moved my camera away to look her in the eyes. It was an unforgettable moment. I felt a special connection with the whale. After a few minutes, she turned around and, taking special care not to hit me with her tail, she slowly and kindly left.”
INFLUENCES
Mekan draws inspiration from various sources, from NatGeo documentaries to the vast content available on Instagram. However, it was the Spanish nature photographer Angel Fitor who profoundly influenced him. Fitor’s advice to pursue his passion for photography without hesitation resonates deeply with Mekan and continues to guide his journey.
"If your passion is photography, go for it, don't hesitate. And here I am..."
Conveying Messages Through Images
One of the greatest challenges in nature photography, according to Mekan, is capturing moments that convey a narrative rather than just a collection of species. Mekan strives to photograph moments that tell a story, despite the unpredictability of marine life. Patience and a positive attitude often lead him to capture those rare and powerful moments that speak volumes.
HOPELESS
Among his many photographs, one stands out: "HOPELESS.”
This image of a dying whale, trapped in a fishing buoy, is a stark representation of human impact on nature. For Mekan, it is a powerful and painful reminder of the slow destruction inflicted on marine life by human actions.
“For me, this image represents the damage that human beings do to nature, slowly and painfully. The hardest image I have ever taken”, he confesses.
This image encapsulates the urgency and importance of conservation efforts.
Álvaro Herrero x Nostas
We at Nostas are honoured to represent a professional like Álvaro Herrero because we fully share his ethical values and commitment to marine life conservation. We are proud that Álvaro has chosen to wear our watch, recognising it not just as a quality accessory, but as a symbol of our shared commitment.
The design of the Audace 500 diver watch particularly caught his attention. "The overall design, the bezel, and the steel make it special. But it's the blue colour of the watch that really stole my heart. It's my favourite colour".
Mekan’s story is one of passion, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to marine life conservation. His journey, captured through the lens of his camera, continues to inspire and educate, bringing the hidden wonders of the ocean to the surface for all of us. We are proud to have Álvaro as an ambassador for our brand, joining forces to celebrate and protect the beauty of the underwater world.
For those looking to combine their love for nature with a creative career, Mekan's advice is simple:
"Just go for it. Don't let insecurities, fear, or what others say hold you back. Listen to your heart and follow what it tells you, no matter what."
