A photographer who captures pictures of cancer survivors underwater has opened up about how the photos are a kind of therapy, helping them overcome their insecurities and feel beautiful again.

San Francisco-based photographer Erena Shimoda, who calls herself an 'underwater healer', says she gives people who have been through a traumatic experience a chance to 'confront physical and mental challenges' by submerging themselves underwater and posing for captivating portraits.

'In the water, people rediscover their beauty, strength and capability,' she told My Modern Net.

In her series of pictures called Underwater Healer - About Face, Ms Shimoda captures cancer survivors at peace in the water, with colorful scarves floating around them in a unique and otherworldly display.

'I truly believe that water can heal the spirit,' the photographer says in a video on her website.

One of the images is of survivor Bernadette Leno, who was diagnosed with stage one triple negative breast cancer in November 2010.

In the photo, Bernadette swims in a pool in a red bikini with her eyes closed serenely, a bright red scarf hovering overhead.

Another image shows Mailet Lopez, also a breast cancer survivor. In her portrait, she lets her arms drift up in the water, a dark background that stands in stark contrast to her illuminated skin.

Ms Shimoda, an avid scuba diver who used to snap photos of marine life, was inspired to heal others with underwater photography after she was badly injured in a car crash that killed her father.

She told CBSNews: 'I broke everything. Physically and emotionally, I had to learn how to deal with myself, but by helping other people, I was helping overcome my painful experience.'

She funded her photo project with an Indiegogo campaign, which saw her raising more than $10,000 to give cancer survivors a chance to heal through her art.

'Everybody has a different experience, but they all have the issues with body image after chemo or other treatments,' she toldWeather.com.

'They've lost a part of their body. To overcome that, patients try to be positive, but they never get to do a portrait session or anything like this to celebrate their beauty.'

Hodgkins disease survivor Nicki Curns Kominek, whose dreamlike portrait shows her profile illuminated against a rainbow of scarves, says the photo session 'made me feel like me again.'

The Provo, Utah native added: 'During the session, it no longer mattered that I had many emotional scars and physical limitations due to my previous cancer treatment.'

And breast cancer survivor Lisa Smith said that cancer has helped her recognize the brevity of life, something she hopes to express in her portrait.

'I think that once you've been through something as awful as cancer you need to appreciate the here and now,' she said.

'Being in the water and trying to stay underwater really makes one mindful of staying in the present.'

Ms Shimoda also captures underwater portraits of pregnant women as well as underwater engagement photos.

'I love seeing my clients' glowing faces and smiles when they see their photographs,' the photographer explained. 'One person said she felt "magically beautiful."'