All About Me — Christina

I’ve never really done things the “normal” way. From the time I could barely hold a camera to now running marine science brands and photographing corals from all over the world, my life has been one long experiment in doing things my way. I’ve built everything — the businesses, the projects, the crazy long hours — around one simple truth: the ocean deserves better. It deserves to be studied, protected, and shared in a way that makes people actually care.

Where It Started

I was about ten when my Aunt Erm handed me my first camera, and honestly, that was it — game over. I was hooked. Within a couple weeks, I was shooting my uncle’s wedding (with zero clue what I was doing, but full of confidence anyway).

By twelve, I was already annoying every photo studio in Gainesville, trying to get them to do something “weird” — combining two negatives into one photo. One shop finally gave in, and that image, Young Faces of America, somehow ended up in a national museum in Jacksonville. Not bad for a kid with a hand-me-down camera.

That same photo went on magazine and calendar covers for youth organizations in the late ’80s and ’90s — and that’s when it hit me: I could create something people actually connected to. I didn’t know it then, but that same fearless, “let’s just try it” attitude would shape everything I’d do later.

When Science Met Art

I’ve always loved the ocean — like really loved it. So naturally, I ended up studying all the science behind it: organic chemistry, microbiology, ecology, physics, marine ecosystems — all the heavy stuff. But what made it click for me was mixing that science with art.

Once I got my Nikon D70S (and later my Nikon 850 with a 105mm macro lens), I started photographing coral like nobody else was doing. Zoomed in close, lighting it right, showing the colors people said didn’t even exist. I’ve now shot over 700 unique variations of coral — about 20 terabytes of photos — one of the largest collections out there.

Through my lens, those “muddy brown” corals turned into living art. Every photo became proof that the ocean’s beauty is in the details.

Zoanthids by Christina

This all got real when a customer asked if they could buy a print. That’s when Zoanthids by Christina was born — glossy coral posters that doubled as scientific references. Each one labeled, cataloged, and artfully designed.

To me, Zoanthids aren’t just coral. They’re storytellers of the reef. If I can help people recognize them, I can help them care about them.

Aquarium Depot: Built from the Reef Up

At the same time, I was running AquariumDepot.com — a nationally recognized supplier of live aquarium foods. We’re talking pods, phyto, macroalgae, flake blends — all the good stuff that keeps reef tanks thriving.

Running that business has been chaos and genius rolled together. Heat waves, shipping nightmares, Google’s endless policy changes — I’ve faced it all. I built “reship protocols,” created custom packaging, rewrote product pages for SEO and scientific accuracy.

What makes it special is that everything comes from firsthand experience. I’ve studied, photographed, and classified these organisms myself. It’s not just another online store — it’s decades of work turned into something that helps others keep a little piece of the ocean alive.

Reef Cause: Turning Commerce into Conservation

Then came ReefCause.com — my answer to the bigger picture. Aquarium Depot feeds reef tanks; Reef Cause feeds the movement.

It’s my platform for activism, education, and affiliate empowerment. The goal is simple: get more people involved in protecting the ocean, whether through STEM education, social campaigns, or by joining our programs to earn and advocate at the same time.

Hexacorallia: The Big One

And then there’s Hexacorallia — my massive coral reference project. This is the crown jewel. Over 650 high-resolution macro shots so far, and counting. It’s part art book, part scientific record — the kind of thing I want to outlive me.

Hexacorallia will be the definitive guide for reefkeepers, educators, and scientists. It’s what happens when you refuse to choose between artist and scientist — you just become both.

The Real Stuff

None of this came easy. I’ve faced burnout, broken shipments, financial nightmares, and the chaos of being a single mom while keeping everything running. There were nights I wanted to give up — but I didn’t. Every failure just became a lesson. Every setback, a reason to rebuild stronger.

What’s Next

Now I’m scaling this whole vision. I’m turning everything I’ve learned — the science, the art, the grit — into something that can impact the world. My goal is to be recognized globally as a speaker, educator, photographer, and philanthropist. I want to change how people see ocean science — and how they see what’s possible for themselves.

Because if there’s one thing my story proves, it’s that you don’t need a perfect plan. You just need fire, guts, and a camera (or maybe a bucket of pods).