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In Tribute to Margo Nelson
Margo Nelson was a pioneering underwater photographer whose bold artistic style and commercial impact helped elevate underwater imagery in advertising and travel marketing worldwide.
Margo Nelson (born Margaret Mary Subra; July 18, 1946 – April 22, 2018) was an American underwater photographer, still photographer for the SCUBA World television series, and founder of The Photographic Eye, Inc. Her work appeared in numerous international diving publications, advertising campaigns, and on television throughout the 1980s. She was certified as a PADI Specialty Instructor in Underwater Photography in 1981 and received international acclaim for her contributions to marine photography.
Early Life and Education
Margo Nelson was born Margaret Mary Subra on July 18, 1946, in Wadena, Minnesota, to Harold R. Subra and Hilma H. Haverinen. She later earned a Bachelor's Degree in Management and Psychology from Southeastern Oklahoma State University.
Career
After a career as a government manager with the Social Security Office, Nelson transitioned into professional photography in 1981, combining her business acumen and creative talents. She founded The Photographic Eye, Inc. in Carrollton, Texas, to showcase her underwater and topside marine images. Her custom-framed photographic art pieces were marketed for upscale interior décor and office installations.
Nelson’s work gained wide recognition across corporate advertising, magazine covers, tourism campaigns, and television media. Her photographs were used by numerous international brands including Tabata USA, Canadian Club, Panasonic, Sanka, Kodak, and Azziza, particularly for product placement in underwater settings.
Media Coverage and Magazine Features
Her work appeared in Ocean Realm, Scuba Times, Southwest Airlines Magazine, Skin Diver, Skindiving in Australia and the South Pacific, ULTRA Magazine, and many others. She was featured in multiple photographer spotlights and credited in international publications throughout the 1980s.
SCUBA World Television Series
Nelson served as the still photographer for the syndicated cable television series SCUBA World, traveling to Belize, Jamaica, Cozumel, the Cayman Islands, and many other exotic locations. Her images were used in promotional materials, press kits, and national advertising campaigns.
Certifications
She was certified as a PADI Specialty Instructor in Underwater Photography on April 29, 1981.
Personal Life and Death
Margo Nelson had one biological child, a son named Tracer Nelson, born in 1969, who also worked as her assistant from ages 10 to 15.
She passed away at her home in Jekyll Island, Georgia, on April 22, 2018. Her cremated remains were buried at sea off the coast of Hawaii on July 18, 2018, which was on her birthday.
Legacy
Margo Nelson is remembered as a pioneer in underwater advertising photography and one of the top dozen underwater photographers of her era. Her bold artistic style and commercial impact helped elevate underwater imagery in advertising and travel marketing worldwide.