Álvaro Herrero aka Mekan, originally from Spain, has had a deep connection with the ocean since his grandfather gifted him a mask at the age of 5. By age 8, he began experimenting with photography using his father’s old camera.
With over nineteen years and 5,000 dives, he has worked as a diving instructor, commercial diver, repair technician, boat skipper, and underwater photographer, teaching courses and masterclasses worldwide.
His spirit of exploration has led him to gain extensive experience in outdoor sports, including climbing and spelunking. His technical training includes the JJ-CCR rebreather for depths of over 100m, as well as the Kiss Sidewinder and DPV for cave diving.
Álvaro has worked as an underwater photographer in locations such as Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, the Maldives, the Red Sea, Polynesia, Jordan, Canada, Spain and Mexico.
He has received awards in prestigious contests, including The title of Underwater Photographer of the Year 2025, Wildlife Photographer of the Year, Red Bull Photo Illume, Big Picture, GDT, and Siena International Photo Awards, among others. He captured his deepest photograph at 110m in the Lombok Strait, Indonesia, and currently explores the caves of Mexico.
In addition to photography, Álvaro leads his own ocean expeditions, guiding people to experience marine wildlife encounters while coaching them in underwater photography.
