Breathtaking -literally! Incredible underwater images showcase world's deepest underwater photo shoot: Record-breaking project used model who could hold her breath for SIX minutes

Incredible underwater images showcased the world's deepest underwater photoshoot that used a model who could hold her breath for six minutes. 

The record-breaking project took place 100ft below the surface of the famed Georgian Bay in Tobermory, Ontario, Canada. 

Photographer Steve Haining, 34, captured stunning pictures of model and free diver Ciara Antoski on September 19 at the bow of the abandoned Niagara II Shipwreck. 

The entire attempt lasted 30 minutes long, including cleanup, equipment removal and safety stop, while the photoshoot itself lasted just 16 minutes long, according to Guinness World Records. 

'The real hero of the shoot, every time we do something like this, is the model,' Haining said.  

One of the biggest challenges that the team faced was the bitter 44 degrees Fahrenheit water temperature. Everyone but Antoski was able to wear wet suits to keep them warm, as she donned a white and pink dress instead. 

Due to what she wore, Antoski was more likely to suffer from the extreme conditions, but Mareesha Klups and Mario Medarevic, two experienced dive trainers, kept a close eye on her and the rest of the crew. 

Haining said that Antoski 'loves pushing the limits creatively with me' as the pair have worked together in past shoots. 

In the 16 minutes it took to capture the pictures, Antoski did start to experience spasms in her diaphragm from the cold water. Haining then made the call to end the shoot in order to keep her safe.  

The photographer went on to say that he knows that he could've shot the project in warmer waters like the Caribbean, but he chose the cold water in the Great Lakes to 'make it as challenging as possible.' 

The breathtaking shoot officially passed the previous world record that took place, Haining said that the entire expedition was 'about safety and having fun.' 

'When we beat the record I felt like it was an honor to be recognized but my team and I really wanted to set the bar as far as the record goes and that's why we chose to go much deeper, colder, darker and over all more challenging and exciting as a personal goal,' Haining said. 

The same team held the previous world record after they conducted another deep dive during the Covid pandemic when they went 30ft deep.

Everyone involved in the shoot had to be advanced open water trained, and in preparation for the deep dive they conducted reconnaissance of the site, multiple rehearsals, and learned a series of hand signals. 

The signals were used for the team to properly communicate underwater, so they could tell each other when they were out of air, needed to go up in the water, or if they felt that they were done. 

Everyone wore underwater masks with tanks, and between shots, Antoski was given a mask as a breathing aid that helped her stay in the water for as long as she did. 

'Ultimately it was a reason for the team to all come back together and do something really fun again. It's just really exciting to have the efforts officially recognized,' Haining said. 

'But having those challenges and limitations and then getting the end results we did is so incredible the location we shot at 30 meters is a place we have all dove before and love so to be able to incorporate the passion of diving in Tobermory with my professional work in photography is really special.'

The newest record that the team set is five times the old one as all of the pictures with Antoski were taken during the practice run, and the record-setting photos were captured the day after. 

The two photos of Antoski at the bottom of the sea, with the sand and ship behind her were the images that certified the new Guinness World Record for the deepest underwater model photoshoot.