RAW Chronicles - February 2026
Mexico memories, Valentine’s plans & Vixie’s comeback 🐾
February has been a month for making memories, celebration, and a few very welcome bits of good news here at RAW Photography Manchester. From celebrating a milestone birthday in Mexico to thinking ahead to Valentine’s Day and cheering on our four-legged mascot, it’s been busy in the best possible way. Here’s what we’ve been up to.
Mexico, diving, and a birthday to remember 🦈
We headed off to Mexico at the end of January to celebrate Callum’s 50th birthday, and what a trip it was. We stayed at the Dreams Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa and honestly can’t recommend it enough. It’s fantastic for everyone (families, couples, singles), packed with activities, and the all-inclusive setup means everything is taken care of by incredibly friendly staff who never stop smiling, and in my case, were more than happy to let me practise my Spanish!
We’re both scuba divers, so the trip quickly turned into a series of unforgettable underwater adventures with Dorado Buceo Caribe. Cettina is always smiling, always upbeat, and always ready to help: exactly what you want from your dive guide.
We explored a range of incredible sites:
The reef: Fish Market 🐠
The coastline of Quintana Roo sits alongside the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef and is the second-largest reef system in the world, stretching more than 1,000 km across Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras. It supports hundreds of fish and coral species. It’s one of the richest marine ecosystems in the Western Hemisphere and a dream for divers and snorkellers. 🎬 Watch our snippet here.
The shipwreck C-56 Juan Escutia ⚓️
We also dived the C-56 Juan Escutia, a former WWII minesweeper built in 1943, later used by the Mexican Navy and intentionally sunk off Puerto Morelos in 2000 to create an artificial reef. Now resting around 30 metres deep, it’s become a thriving marine habitat and a fascinating dive site combining history and marine life.
Cenotes – Zapote & Maravilla 🔦
Cenotes are unique natural sinkholes formed when limestone collapses to reveal freshwater pools connected to underground cave systems. It is a hallmark of the Yucatán Peninsula’s geology. Some link to vast underwater rivers and were considered sacred by the Maya. Diving them is like entering another world entirely!
And then there was the shark dive in Playa del Carmen with Scubamobile: probably the best experience of my life. Maybe just neck-and-neck with my very first night dive I ever did in Fuerteventura (a story for another time! 🐙).
Before the dive, there’s a briefing and a bit of background. Hollywood has done sharks no favours: they’re often portrayed as mindless killers. In reality, it’s kind of the other way round. Humans kill an estimated up to 100 million sharks every year, largely due to commercial fishing and the demand for fins used in products like shark fin soup. Sharks are apex predators, and their disappearance would disrupt entire ocean ecosystems. Healthy shark populations help maintain balance in marine food chains, and their conservation is critical for the health of our oceans (up to 80% of the oxygen we breathe is thought to come from our oceans).
Encouragingly, shark tourism is changing perceptions. For the first time, sharks are becoming economically more valuable alive than dead, giving local communities a real incentive to protect them.
On our dive, we encountered 14 female bull sharks: curious, powerful, and completely uninterested in us as food. See for yourselves 🎬
And whether diving is your thing or not, this area has something for everyone. Snorkelling, cycling, beach walks, wildlife spotting, or simply relaxing on a sun lounger. All set among stunning scenery and lovely people.
Valentine’s Day is coming… ♥️
With February fast approaching, Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. So, what are your plans this year? Got a Valentine? Or do you just find the whole thing a bit overrated? XD
Whether you’re heading out for a romantic meal, planning a day out with your dog, or just enjoying some time for yourself, we hope you have a brilliant one.
And if you’re running late and still need a present… we’ve got you covered. Head over to our online store and grab a RAW Photography Manchester Valentine’s Gift Voucher 🤩 A thoughtful gift and something a bit different from the usual chocolates and flowers.
Sample image of one of our Valentine’s Digital Gift Vouchers
Vixie’s comeback 🐶
Finally, some brilliant news about our mascot and very good girl, Vixie.
After cruciate ligament surgery back in October, she hasn’t been able to do much at all (poor thing). But the good news is she’s now had the all-clear from her surgeon and is officially back to doing what she does best: running through fields and socialising with her dog mates.
Welcome back, Mooz!
Vixie is back!
So that’s been our February: a sun-soaked trip to Mexico filled with unforgettable dives, Valentine’s Day just around the corner, and the very welcome news of Vixie finally getting back on her paws.
We hope the rest of the month treats you kindly, whether you’re celebrating love, planning your next adventure, or simply enjoying a bit more daylight at last. Happy Valentine’s Day from us again, and here’s to cheering on the Winter Olympics, may the best win! ❄️
Stay warm,
Roxane & Callum
The Raw Photography Manchester Team 📸
Callum, Roxane, Vixie, and Miss BunnyPenny.
