Lazaro “Laz” Ruda, nurtured by the coastal landscapes of South Florida, has spent his life surrounded by the ocean’s allure. As a child, his initial fears of the sea’s unknown depths transformed into an enduring fascination, fueled by frequent visits to Key West and Singer Island. Beneath the waves, he envisioned an alien world, full of secrets waiting to be uncovered.
Four decades later, Laz’s enchantment with the ocean has blossomed into an all-consuming passion. Whether embarking on underwater adventures or delving into the sea’s natural history through literature, few pursuits captivate him with such unrelenting enthusiasm. Each dive rekindles the wide-eyed wonder he felt as a child, mesmerized by the ocean’s secrets during his first submerged glance.
Despite exploring breathtaking destinations worldwide, Laz’s heart remains rooted in Florida and the Bahamas, where he finds endless inspiration. Notably, over 95% of the photographs showcased on this website were captured in his Palm Beach, Florida, and Bahamas backyard.
Through this web site, Laz invites you to experience the awe-inspiring beauty of nature as he sees it. His aspiration is that his images and stories will foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of our extraordinary ocean planet, igniting within you the same passion and reverence he holds for the natural world.