ABOUT
Rita Kluge – Underwater Photographer & Ocean Advocate
Rita Kluge is a German-Korean photographer renowned for her breathtaking underwater imagery captured while free diving in some of the world’s most remote and fragile marine environments — including Antarctica, the Arctic, Western Australia, and Tonga.
Although she grew up far from the sea, Rita’s fascination with marine life began in childhood, inspired by her father, a passionate animal lover and hobby photographer. That early influence sparked a lifelong journey combining her love for photography, wildlife, and adventure.
Driven by curiosity and a deep respect for the ocean, Rita has explored and documented rare underwater moments, revealing the raw beauty and vulnerability of marine ecosystems. Her internationally recognized series, Tears of the Sea, reflects not only her artistic vision but also her commitment to ocean conservation. Through her lens, she brings attention to the devastating impact of climate change and the urgent need to protect what remains.
Beyond her artistic work, Rita volunteers her time and talent to support several animal welfare organizations, including ORRCA, Living Ocean, Humane World of Animals, and Paul Watson’s initiatives — using her photography to advocate for the voiceless and raise awareness for critical causes.
contact@ritakluge.com
AWARDS + EXPOSURE
2024 Underwater Awards Australasia - Honorable mention - MAMMAL CONNECTION
2022 Mosman Photography Awards, 1st place in the Open Category and Open Animals + Birds Category - CONNOISSEUR LEOPARD SEAL
2022 Mosman Photography Awards, 1st place Open category - PEACE
2019 National Geographic, Travel photographer Peoples choice , Crabeater splitshot-Antarctica
2019 Semi finalist, Windland Smith Rice award
2018 Epson Award Silver ‘CrabEater’, Antarctica
2018 Epson Award Silver ‘Bubbles’, NSW Australia
2017 Epson Pano Awards Gold with 'Freedom', Tonga
2017 Carolyn Mitchum Award, RUNNER UP - FREEDOM
2017 Published in the National Geographic Magazine 'Take a Bow', Tonga
2016 THE AUSTRALIAN, HEART OF THE NATION - TAKE A BOW (dolphin shot BUBBLES)
2016 National Geographic Pristine seas Assignment 'Sleeping Beauty',Tonga
2015 Australian Marine Conservation Society’s Amazing Oceans Photographer of the Year Runner up
Featured work: The Huffington Post, The Weekend Australian, Heart of the Nation, The Guardian, The Washington post, MyModernMet.com, The Daily Telegraph, The Morning Show channel 7, The Daily Edition Channel 7, Weekend Today Show Channel 9, Fubiz.com, Herald Sun
20 images displayed in Paris, Saint-Denis • France, Europeans largest LED screen 12m x 8m in 2017
2016/17 national TV Ch 7 and Ch 9, Morning show
2015 Australian Marine Conservation Society’s Amazing Oceans Photographer of the Year competition
2016 National Geographic Pristine Assignment winners , 'Sleeping Beauty'
2017 National Geographic Magazine 'Take a Bow'
Antarctica 2018
Rita free diving through swallows cave in Tonga. Go to media if you like to see more of her.
