<p>LUTZ - They met as teens and shared their passion for the ocean. So when Rich and Laura Howard took the plunge 22 years ago, it launched a partnership that has taken the couple from the reefs of the Caribbean to the Sea of Cortez, Fiji and beyond, capturing dazzling underwater photographs of colorful fish, crabs, coral and other marine creatures.</p><p>Their shared fascination with the ocean evolved into a photography business with a portfolio of 2,000-plus images featured in national publications, on calendars, in product packaging and on canvas. Locally, 17 of their large photos grace the Coral Reef Gallery at The Florida Aquarium.</p><p>Their fish tales are numerous, from stalking and photographing eels in the South Pacific to captivating video of killer whales surfing the wake of their charter boat off the Mexican coast. The video, taken three years ago but posted on You Tube only recently, has drawn more than 1.1 million views and attracted national television attraction from "Today" and "NBC Nightly News" to "The Ellen DeGeneres Show."</p><p>The couple began their marine-based business in 1996 from their home of 17 years, Centerville, Ohio, 50 miles northeast of Cincinnati, where Rich grew up.</p><p><a href="http://tbo.com/northwest-tampa/lutz-couple-makes-a-splash-in-underwater-photography-20130718/">Keep reading...</a></p>