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I photographed the image behind Moss Apparel’s Shark’s Smile designs while scuba diving off Bimini, Bahamas. It shows a Great Hammerhead Shark gliding directly above me, revealing the unusual shape of its head and the curved line that looks like a smile.
For me, the photograph is more than a striking underwater image. It is a reminder that we still have much to learn about sharks: and that careful research is essential to protecting them. That is why 10% of profits from the Bimini Shark Lab collection are donated to the Bimini Shark Lab on a quarterly basis.
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The Moment Behind the Smile
In late November, I was diving at about 25 feet off the shore of Bimini. Below me was a wide, sandy sea floor. Great Hammerhead Sharks use these open areas as hunting grounds, scanning the sand for sting rays and other prey.
I lay still and watched the sharks move through the water.
One shark approached and passed within inches above me. I turned onto my back, aimed upward, and captured the photograph as it swam overhead. The angle showed the hammerhead’s distinctive head shape and the expression that inspired the name Shark’s Smile.
I was using a SeaLife Pro camera. The underwater camera had no zoom and a wide-angle lens, so getting the photograph required being close to the animal. The encounter depended on patience and stillness. I did not chase the shark or interfere with its behavior.
The moment changed how I view sharks. They paid very little attention to me. They were focused on hunting and moving through their environment. That experience reinforced something important: sharks deserve respect, space, and serious protection.
It also made the value of documentation clear. We know relatively little about these unique animals. Every responsible photograph can help build awareness and create another record of their existence.
Shark’s Smile in a Cropped Fit
The Shark's Smile, Bimini Shark Labs, Moss Apparel, Cropped T-Shirt brings the overhead photograph into an everyday wardrobe.
I designed this piece for customers who want a comfortable, modern silhouette without giving up durability. The cropped fit works for casual wear, active days, and layered outfits. It is available in white, navy, and black, with sizes listed on the product page.
Product details:
- $40.00
- 100% cotton jersey
- Cropped fit
- Double-needle stitching throughout
- 1-inch bound ribbed collar
- Champion “C” patch logo on the left cuff
- Available in XS through 2XL on the product page size guide
The photograph remains the focus. The shark appears above the viewer, just as it did when I looked up from the sea floor in Bimini. It is a simple design with a strong subject.
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A Comfortable Unisex T-Shirt
The Shark's Smile, Bimini Shark Labs, Moss Apparel Unisex Crewneck T-shirt offers the same Great Hammerhead photograph in a classic everyday style.
This $29.00 unisex T-shirt is designed to be durable, comfortable, and easy to wear. It is available in white, sand, navy, and black. Solid colors are made from 100% ring-spun cotton. Other fabric compositions vary by color:
- Sport Grey: 90% ring-spun cotton and 10% polyester
- Heather colors: 35% cotton and 65% polyester
- Graphite Heather: 65% cotton and 35% polyester
The fit is versatile for everyday use. Wear it on a beach day, while traveling, at a marine conservation event, or simply as a visual statement about the species you want to help protect.
Care is straightforward. Wash the shirt with similar colors. Tumble dry low or hang it to dry to help maintain the fabric and print. The product page includes the full size guide and current color availability.
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What the Bimini Shark Lab Does
The Bimini Biological Field Station Foundation, known as the Bimini Shark Lab, was established in 1990 by Dr. Samuel Gruber. It is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located on South Bimini in the Bahamas. The foundation is now led by Dr. Matthew Smukall, along with dedicated staff and volunteers.
The Bimini Shark Lab’s work is built around three connected priorities:
- Advancing knowledge of sharks and rays, especially heavily impacted elasmobranch species
- Educating future scientists through undergraduate, graduate, and internship opportunities
- Sharing research with the public and scientific community to support conservation and awareness
The lab’s research spans molecular and behavioral ecology, physiology, conservation, and sensory biology. Its work helps explain how sharks use marine ecosystems and how conservation decisions can be based on stronger evidence.
Read the official Bimini Shark Lab website, review the organization’s mission statement, and explore its research programs.
How Hammerhead Research Supports Conservation
Great Hammerhead Sharks are difficult to study. They move through large areas, use different habitats, and can travel long distances. Researchers need more than occasional sightings to understand their behavior and protect important areas.
The Bimini Shark Lab’s hammerhead research includes photo identification. Researchers can use distinctive features such as fin shapes, scars, pigmentation, and other markings to identify individual sharks. Repeated observations can show whether particular sharks return to the same locations and help document patterns of site fidelity.
The lab also uses acoustic and satellite telemetry to study movements and space use. Acoustic tags and underwater receivers can help researchers understand how sharks use local habitats. Satellite tracking can provide information about broader movements and migrations.
This work matters because conservation depends on knowing where sharks go, how long they remain in an area, and which habitats are important to their survival. Research can contribute to more informed management and stronger public awareness.
My photograph does not replace scientific research. It helps create a connection. When people see the detail in a Great Hammerhead’s face, they may look more closely at the animal, learn about its role, and understand why protecting it matters.
Wear the Photograph. Support the Work.
The Shark’s Smile apparel designs connect photography, everyday clothing, and conservation support. Each product features a real photograph from my experience in Bimini. Each purchase from the collection helps direct 10% of profits to the Bimini Shark Lab on a quarterly basis.
That support is part of a larger purpose. I want these images to do more than decorate a shirt. I want them to encourage curiosity about sharks and respect for the ecosystems they inhabit.
If you want a cropped fit, choose the Shark's Smile, Bimini Shark Labs, Moss Apparel, Cropped T-Shirt.
If you prefer a classic unisex style, choose the Shark's Smile, Bimini Shark Labs, Moss Apparel Unisex Crewneck T-shirt.
Purchases over $60 receive free shipping.
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Follow the Bimini Shark Lab on Instagram to learn more about shark research, education, and conservation work in the Bahamas.
About Robert Moss
For me, nature photography begins with respect. I believe the best wildlife photographs come from observing rather than interfering: allowing an animal, landscape, or moment to exist naturally and being patient enough to capture it as it unfolds.
My goal is not simply to photograph wildlife, but to create images that convey the character, beauty, scale, and vulnerability of the natural world.
From wildlife encounters to remote landscapes and underwater environments, I am drawn to moments that remind us how extraordinary the wild still is. I approach each photograph with the intention of keeping the scene authentic, preserving the natural behavior of the subject and the atmosphere of the place.
That philosophy carries through to Moss Apparel and Moss Fine Art. The photographs are not only meant to be seen; they are intended to create a greater connection between people and the places and species they represent. Conservation is at the heart of that mission because this approach becomes harder each year as the world changes, wildlife numbers decline, and natural spaces are threatened.
Through Moss Apparel and Moss Fine Art, 10% of profits support nonprofit organizations working in wildlife conservation, habitat protection, and ocean restoration.
My hope is simple: to create photographs that bring people closer to nature while helping protect the wild places and wildlife that made those photographs possible.
Robert Moss
Founder & Photographer, Moss Apparel
