Just because you can't walk doesn't mean you can't swim, especially for these Scottish water babies.

Chubby-cheeked and bravely curious, little dunkers across the country have been exploring beneath the surface of their local pools and a dedicated husband and wife team have been capturing their adventures.

Specialist underwater photographers Sam and Susan Heaton first set up their photography business Clear Photography back in 2005, but were keen to find something to set themselves apart in the industry.

They had already been one of the first husband and wife teams in the country to offer wedding packages but it wasn't until their little girl Poppy came along that they stumbled across a more unusual option for their skills.

"I wanted to try and take a picture of Poppy underwater so we gave it a go and were thrilled with the results," says Susan.

"It took a few attempts, but the first one I took of her in natural light is still my favourite photograph I've ever taken."

Seeing Poppy so happy underwater and delighted with their photographs of her, Susan and Sam instinctively knew that there would be other parents out there too who would like similar portraits of their own children.

The couple began offering private photo shoots and word spread quickly to swimming schools across the country.

Utilising their natural amphibious reflex, babies can hold their breath as they are released underwater by professional baby swim instructors, giving photographers like Susan and Sam plenty of time to get the perfect shot safely.

"The swim schools started approaching us and it took off from there," says Susan.

"I don't think we realised how many swim schools there were so we're all over the place now."

The trend for underwater baby photography has risen so much, there is now a waiting list for the couple's private shoots.

Each shoot the couple undertake at a swim class also has close to 50 babies booked at each photo session.

"Because these type of photographs are so unusual there is still a demand out there for them," says Susan.

"It's like a little day out to the pool for them. We only photograph babies who are used to being underwater and are happy there.

"It's about capturing that moment, about them being happy - not just about being underwater."

The team photograph older children as well and have also branched out to video shooting to capture the babies swimming under the surface.

"We have a little GoPro we put on the camera to film while we shoot," says Susan. "You can get some really amazing footage of them swimming away while you're down there."

Infant underwater swimming began in earnest in the '60s after an American, Harvey Barnett, launched survival swim training for babies.

Aged 18, he became determined to teach infants to swim after the drowning of a neighbour's child. His methods have spread around the world, being taught in clinics and imitated widely.

Babies are taught to hold their breath underwater, kick their feet, turn over to float on their backs and rest until help arrives, though parents are advised to seek support from professional swimming instructors to ensure safety at all times.

Susan and Sam remain the most popular underwater baby photographers in Scotland but are keen to keep their eye on other opportunities too.

"There is a real trend in America now for underwater dog photography," says Susan. "We're not exactly sure if that will take off here, but we have heard of a pool in Edinburgh where they once photographed a horse underwater so who knows.

"If you have a spaniel willing to give it a go then give us a call."