A series of stunning images show the moment a great white shark reveals its powerful jaws as it thrashes on a fishing lure.
One image shows the shark named Paul Walker with its cavernous mouth open displaying its teeth as it chases the bait.
Another terrifying moment shows the shark catching the lure and thrashing it around just below the surface.
These images were captured by Co-Owner of Be A Shark, Nikki Brant (52) in Guadalupe Island Mexico on her Nikon D500 in a Nauticam underwater housing
Nikki caught the images of the shark from about six-feet away and around four-feet under the surface of the water.
She has dedicated her life to showing a more realistic side of sharks, wanting people to see their intelligence, and their strength, and to understand that individual sharks, like individual humans, have unique personalities.
“We were on a Be A Shark cage diving trip to Guadalupe Island, Mexico, and this particular shark, whose name is Paul Walker in honour of the late actor and shark activist, spent the majority of the three days with us,” said Nikki,
“Some people think cage diving is all about how many sharks you see, but for me it’s about having the “right” sharks around. Paul is an interactive shark and when he shows up, you know it’s going to be a good time.
“Paul had been making lazy circles around the cage all morning and didn’t show much interest in the hang baits, which are large pieces of tuna on a bio-degradable rope.
“Then, on one of his approaches, Paul made a half-hearted lunge at the bait, and when he caught it he immediately put on the brakes by lowering his pectoral fins.
“For a shark to basically freeze its momentum in front of you is a photographer’s dream.
“I believe shots like this have the capacity to show people how structurally dynamic these apex predators are, and how their movements are not frenzied, but incredibly controlled.
“Over the years, the media has portrayed sharks as bloodthirsty killers that will seek you out and destroy you. The opportunity to show that this is not the case, that we can coexist respectfully, is the best part of my job.
“It’s always thrilling to be in the water with a white shark. And when you have the opportunity to make eye contact, like I did during this particular encounter, it’s a life-changing moment.
“You realise that this creature you’ve always been told would eat you on sight is simply checking you out, like you would check out a stranger in your environment.
“The connectivity you feel in those moments is indescribable.
“The initial reaction is often surprise, as I don’t look like what most people think a shark diver would look like.
“Once they move past that, most people are fascinated and have lots of questions. People fear what they don’t understand, and my photos are a way to start conversations which can ease those fears through education. “
