Katjana Cabenda is an underwater and adventure photographer rooted in the Caribbean, whose work has taken her from the icy edges of the Arctic and volcanic archipelagos like the Galápagos to remote islands across the Pacific and beyond.
Growing up on the island of Curaçao, her favorite memories were shaped by the sea — and that deep connection to nature continues to guide everything she creates today. With a background in documentary storytelling, communications, and sustainability, Katjana blends imagery with purpose. Alongside collaborations with brands, she is devoted to capturing the raw beauty of our natural world. “Photography is how I make sense of what surrounds us,” she says. “It’s my way of inviting others to feel more connected, more curious, and more protective of our planet.”
Whether freediving with hammerheads, filming sea lions in volcanic lagoons, or chasing light on a snowy zodiac in Svalbard, her Sony gear is her lifeline. This bag carries the tools she trusts for creating in wild places — from the depths of a bait ball at 30 meters to the quiet shallows of a coral reef.
Product Preview – In This Article You’ll Find:
–Alpha 7R V
–Alpha 7 III
–100–400mm f/4.5–5.6 G Master
–TOUGH Memory Cards
–NP-FZ100 Batteries
Cameras
Alpha 7R V: This camera changed the game for me. I made the switch from my trusted Alpha 7 III to the Alpha 7R V in June 2024, and the leap in quality was immediate and massive. As an underwater and adventure photographer, I’m often working in tricky conditions – low light, fast action, no room for error.
Take sea lions in the Galápagos – they’re lightning fast, playful, and unpredictable. One moment they’re zipping through a school of fish, the next they’re staring right into your eyes. The Alpha 7R V’s AI-powered autofocus doesn’t just keep up – it feels like it’s reading the environment. It locks onto sea lion eyes mid-twist, catches small jellyfish in cloudy water, and adapts in real time as the scene shifts around you.
Photo by Katjana Cabenda. Alpha 7R V. 1/1600-sec., f/7.1, ISO 640
Then there’s the detail. With the 61MP sensor, I can crop in without hesitation. One example: I was shooting underwater, and dealing with lots of current, at Kicker Rock (San Cristobal, Galápagos). What looked like a speck in the frame became a beautiful close-up of the corals on the wall thanks to the resolution – sharp, layered, and textured. Same goes for a volcanic-black marine iguana I spotted sunbathing. I didn’t want to disturb it, so I stayed back – and still walked away with a tack-sharp portrait that showed every scale.
It’s also a low-light dream. On a spontaneous scuba dive, we descended to 30 meters without lights – just chasing the joy of the moment. I captured a bait ball swirling around us, and the Alpha 7R V handled the darkness perfectly. Or take our descent into a lava tube on Isabela Island, it brought out the depth, contrast, and mystery of the moment. Sharp. Clean. No compromise. For both stills and video, this is now my go-to.
Photo by Katjana Cabenda. Alpha 7R V. 1/400-sec., f/7.1, ISO 500
Alpha 7 III: This was the camera that got me started with Sony back in 2019, and it’s still in my bag as my trusty backup. It’s solid, fast, and helped me build my career. From diving in Curaçao to my first Arctic trip, it handled every challenge I threw at it.
The Alpha 7 III is known for its outstanding battery life – a huge advantage when you're on remote islands for hours at a time. I’ve shot full days – hikes, dives, golden hour – without swapping batteries. It may not be the flashiest anymore, but it’s the foundation my current visual voice was built on.
Photo by Katjana Cabenda. Alpha III. 1/320-sec., f/6.3, ISO 400
Lenses
100–400mm f/4.5-5.6 G Master: This lens is pure versatility in my world. I use it for wildlife, distant action, and when I can’t physically get close – like photographing a group of walrus resting in Svalbard, an owl hiding under a rock on Isabela Island, or seabirds sweeping through the air. It's razor sharp across its entire zoom range and handles fast movement like a champ.
Photo by Katjana Cabenda. Alpha 7R V. 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 G Master. 1/1250-sec., f/5.6, ISO 640
One of my favorite moments: shooting fellow adventurers passing a glacier from a zodiac. The zodiac was rocking, my hands were cold, and yet the shot turned out crisp and cinematic – thanks to the dual stabilization between the lens and my Alpha 7R V. The detail it pulls in, even at 400mm, is rich and clean.
Photo by Katjana Cabenda.Alpha 7R V. 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 G Master.
As I find myself on a misty mountain or salty beach more often than not, it’s weather-sealed and durable enough to survive salt spray, tropical humidity, and frigid winds. And when you’re in remote places, that reliability is everything. This lens never sits out a mission.
Photo by Katjana Cabenda. Alpha 7R V. 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 G Master. 1/640-sec., f/5.6, ISO 400
Accessories
TOUGH Memory Cards: Waterproof, shockproof, and rugged. I trust these cards for high-res underwater footage in intense conditions – whether freediving with sharks or hiking in humid coastal forests.
NP-FZ100 Batteries: I never leave without at least three spares. These batteries power my Alpha 7R V and Alpha 7 III all day – even in cold or remote conditions where recharging isn’t an option. They’ve been with me on Arctic ice and Galápagos beaches, always reliable.
Photo by Katjana Cabenda. Alpha 7R V. 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 G Master. 1/1250-sec., f/5.6, ISO 640
Underwater Housing: This is the heart of my underwater kit. Paired with my Alpha 7R V, it allows me to capture everything from what lives between mangroves to big animals while scuba and freediving.
Reef-Safe Sunscreen: My skin’s shield for long days on boats, in the sea or hiking. Always eco-conscious.
Photo by Katjana Cabenda. Alpha 7R V. 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 G Master. 1/800-sec., f/5.6, ISO 640
Re-usable Water Bottle: Because hydration matters and plastic waste doesn’t belong in the ocean.
Dive Computer: Critical for orientation, safety, and documenting depth/time data during dives.
See more of Katjana Cabenda’s work on Instagram @katjanacabenda.
Look inside the camera bags of more leading photographers at alphauniverse.com/wimb.
