While drifting in the clear, turquoise waters of the northern Great Barrier Reef, Brazilian-born photographer Marcia Riederer spotted a dark, graceful form gliding closer. A dwarf minke whale emerged from the blue, circling with gentle curiosity. At just the right moment, Riederer captured a striking image as the whale turned and fixed one watchful eye on her.
“These curious giants approach swimmers with almost playful intent,” Riederer told Oceanographic Magazine. “They acknowledge your presence, circling and engaging—it’s profoundly humbling and reminds us of the ocean’s wonder, as well as its fragility.”
That extraordinary shot earned Riederer first place in the Fine Art category of the 2025 Ocean Photographer of the Year awards. Presented by Oceanographic and Blancpain, the competition celebrates breathtaking images that highlight both the ocean’s majesty and the urgent call to protect it.
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Wildlife photographer of the year: Takumi Oyama
The yellow pygmy goby, a tiny yet brilliantly colored fish native to the western Pacific, is full of surprises. Japanese marine researcher Takumi Oyama recently captured one of these gobies mid-larval dispersal, producing a striking image with both scientific and artistic value.
“In gobiid fishes, male parental care is common,” Oyama explained. “But unusually, in the yellow pygmy goby, females also participate in parental hatching care. This individual is a female, releasing newly hatched larvae into the water column from her mouth.”
Oyama’s work centers on the reproductive ecology of reef fish in Japan, where he conducts scuba-based field studies to observe behavior in its natural setting. Through underwater photography, he not only documents his research but also reveals the intricate, often overlooked moments of marine life to a wider audience.
Adventure photographer of the year: Ben Thouard
The rugged coast of Nazaré, Portugal, has earned a legendary reputation for producing some of the world’s largest waves—monsters that both challenge and inspire big-wave surfers. On a particularly turbulent afternoon, French photographer Ben Thouard captured a striking image that reflects the raw drama of the Atlantic.
“The wind was blowing from the north, which makes the surf tricky,” Thouard recalled. “It was the end of the afternoon, and the light was better from the beach than from the usual cliff. Shooting was difficult—the huge sets and salt spray clouded everything. But eventually, this moment revealed itself.”
Thouard has been drawn to the sea since his teenage years, camera in hand. Now based in Tahiti—another global hub for towering surf—he has honed a distinctive style, blending technical mastery with a deep respect for the ocean’s relentless power.
Conservation (impact) photographer of the year: Hugo Bret
The centuries-old Faroese whaling tradition known as grindadráp has long been a point of cultural pride—and global controversy. Once vital for survival in the isolated North Atlantic, the practice today faces fierce criticism from conservationists who warn of its devastating impact on pilot whale populations.
French photographer and marine biologist Hugo Bret documented one of its most haunting consequences: a long-finned pilot whale fetus lying lifeless beneath its mother’s body after a hunt.
“Each year, more than 1,000 cetaceans are killed during grindadráp, including juveniles and pregnant females,” Bret explained. “While once an existential necessity, these hunts can no longer be considered subsistence. I hope this image sparks global reflection—not only to end the grindadráp, but also to reconsider humanity’s broader relationship with the other living beings we share the planet with.”
Conservation (hope) photographer of the year: Sirachai Arunrugstichai
Once abundant in the Coral Triangle—a hotspot of marine biodiversity in the western Pacific—the Indo-Pacific leopard shark has suffered dramatic declines. Overfishing and habitat loss have pushed the species onto the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) endangered list, with populations hovering on the brink of collapse.
Yet amid this sobering reality, Thai photojournalist and marine biologist Sirachai Arunrugsticha captured an image that carries a rare sense of optimism. His photo shows an aquarist holding a glass jar containing an early-stage leopard shark embryo, its egg case removed for a controlled rearing experiment at Aquaria Phuket, one of Thailand’s largest private aquariums.
“Since 2023, the aquarium’s staff-driven breeding program has produced more than 40 pups of this Endangered species,” Arunrugsticha explained—a hopeful step toward ensuring the survival of a shark once common in tropical seas.
Human connection award: Craig Parry
In New South Wales, Australia, a team of rescue workers and local volunteers battled for 15 hours to save a stranded humpback whale. Australian ocean and nature photographer Craig Parry captured the effort in a striking aerial photograph, documenting both the whale and the tireless dedication of those trying to save her.
“Sadly, despite their best efforts, she could not be saved,” Parry reflected. “The outcome was heartbreaking, but witnessing the collaboration and compassion of multiple agencies and volunteers was deeply moving. It serves as a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when people unite with a shared purpose.”
While the whale’s life could not be spared, the image immortalizes a moment of human empathy and determination, highlighting the profound connections between communities and the ocean creatures they strive to protect.
Young photographer of the year: Aaron Sanders
Off the coast of the U.K., two iridescent bobtail squid entwined in a delicate embrace, mating on the seabed. Underwater photographer and filmmaker Aaron Sanders carefully approached, ensuring he did not disturb the pair, and captured a dazzling image of this intimate moment.
“Waves of color rippled across their bodies as chromatophores pulsed in a mesmerizing rhythm—white flickering to gold, gold to red, and back again,” Sanders explained. “They became living, glowing jewels in the dark, performing their courtship and creating the next generation of bobtail squid.”
The photograph offers a rare glimpse into the secretive life of these small, otherworldly creatures, highlighting both their remarkable beauty and the intricate behaviors that sustain marine life. Through his lens, Sanders transforms a fleeting moment into a vivid celebration of nature’s subtle wonders.
Ocean portfolio award: Matthew Sullivan
What appears to be hundreds of tiny eyeballs inside this male jawfish’s mouth is actually his own offspring. Like other mouthbrooding jawfish, he protects fertilized eggs by carrying them in his mouth for a week or more. During this time, he does not eat and regularly “juggles” the eggs—spitting them out and sucking them back in—to ensure they receive enough oxygen.
“2025 was an exceptional year for spotting mouthbrooding males,” said Florida-based underwater and wildlife photographer Matthew Sullivan. “This particular male was remarkably bold, and once he became comfortable with my presence, he allowed me to capture this image.”
Sullivan’s photograph offers a rare glimpse into the extraordinary parental care strategies of jawfish, highlighting the hidden and delicate behaviors that sustain life on coral reefs.
Female fifty fathoms award: Jualing Cai
ff the coast of Anilao, a small barangay in the Philippines, Chinese photographer Jialing Cai captured a quirky and unusual moment in the reef: a fish holding a jellyfish in its mouth.
“It may have grabbed it for chemical defense, taking advantage of the toxins in its tentacles,” Cai explained. “While holding the jelly, it looked as though the fish was blowing a balloon.”
The photograph highlights the inventive survival strategies of reef fish, revealing how some species use the defenses of others to their advantage. Cai’s keen eye and patient approach allowed him to document this rare and humorous encounter, showcasing not only the diversity of marine life in Anilao but also the surprising and sometimes whimsical behaviors that unfold beneath the waves.
The ocean photographer of the year: Yury Ivanov
The overall winner of this year’s Ocean Photographer of the Year awards is Indonesia-based photographer and dive master Yury Ivanov. He captured a striking image of two tiny amphipods from the Cyproideidae family, each measuring just around 3 millimeters, perched delicately on a piece of coral.
Often called the “ladybugs of the sea,” these minuscule creatures resemble otherworldly versions of familiar winged beetles, their black-spotted bodies and insect-like features mesmerizing against the coral backdrop.
“It required a lot of patience and precision to compose and light the shot properly,” Ivanov said. “In total, it took me six dives to capture the image I wanted. The result offers an intimate glimpse of underwater life that is usually overlooked, celebrating the tiny wonders of the ocean that are often hidden in plain sight.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Ocean Photographer of the Year award?
It is an annual competition presented by Oceanographic and Blancpain that celebrates stunning photography showcasing the beauty, diversity, and fragility of the ocean.
Who won the overall award in 2025?
Indonesia-based photographer and dive master Yury Ivanov won the overall award for his macro shot of two amphipods, known as the “ladybugs of the sea.”
What types of creatures were featured in this year’s winners?
The images include humpback whales, dwarf minke whales, bobtail squid, jawfish, yellow pygmy gobies, and tiny amphipods, among others.
What makes some of these photos unique?
Many photos capture rare behaviors such as mouthbrooding, courtship, or survival strategies, offering intimate glimpses into marine life.
How do photographers capture these images?
Photographers often use scuba diving, patient observation, careful lighting, and sometimes multiple dives to capture the perfect shot without disturbing the animals.
Conclusion
he 2025 Ocean Photographer of the Year winners offer a breathtaking glimpse into the diversity, beauty, and fragility of marine life. From the tiniest amphipods to majestic humpback whales, each image captures not only extraordinary moments in the ocean but also the dedication and patience of the photographers who document them. These photos remind us of the intricate behaviors, delicate ecosystems, and remarkable creatures that exist beneath the waves—many of which are threatened by human activity. Beyond artistry, the images serve as a call to protect and preserve the oceans, inspiring awe, curiosity, and a deeper appreciation for the underwater world.
