In deeper water, Gajić has encountered bizarre-looking rough sharks and lanternsharks. Gajić doesn’t need his powerful camera light to see lanternsharks. They glow! They are little fish, no bigger than 50 centimeters (about 20 inches) long. The light comes from many small organs called photophores, which dot their bellies and sides.

Gajić’s interactions with rays and skates are a little less problematic than with sharks. He’s able to get closer to rays, in particular. He interacts with common stingrays, eagle rays, and leopard whiprays as he studies them.

For Gajić, it is a dream come true to be among these animals. He grew up in war‑torn Yugoslavia. His family moved many times when he was young, always looking for a safer and more stable place to be. He never lived anywhere near the ocean. Yet, he was fascinated by the sea and what lived in it, especially sharks. He was inspired by copies of National Geographic magazine. He vowed one day to visit some of the magnificent places he saw in the magazine and to one day swim with sharks.