Paisley Easton watches her footing as she makes her way along the rocky shoreline of a natural spring.

Her blonde hair falls in waves over the white robe that wraps her petite body. As she closes in on the water, she slips off her flip flops, and her manager pops open an umbrella.

That’s one of the first rules of being a mermaid: Never let anyone see you transform.

Soon, Easton emerges, now a mermaid clad in a pink-scaled tail and a pearlescent bikini top.

Her manager sweeps Easton up in her arms and places her on the algae-spotted rocks of a miniature waterfall that spills fresh water.

Easton takes direction from the photographer. Toes pointed so the pink tail fans out. Back positioned just right. Smile, but not too much. Blonde beach waves pulled to the front for full mermaid effect.

Easton is a mermaid trainee. Today, after her promotional photoshoot is over, she’ll swim her fifth and sixth shows at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, a Florida roadside attraction that features natural springs, boat tours and its famous mermaids.

Read the full article here. The Penny Hoarder: Under the Sea: These Women Actually Make a Living as Mermaids in Florida