Seahorse Portrait Wins Ocean Photographer of the Year 2026

Published 2 days agoon September 12, 2026

1st place Wildlife Photographer of the Year: Julien Anton

A striking underwater image of an adult seahorse alongside two tiny juveniles has earned French underwater photographer Julien Anton the title of Ocean Photographer of the Year 2026.

More than 15,000 images were entered into this year’s competition, presented by Oceanographic Magazine and Blancpain, with winners spanning wildlife, fine art, adventure, conservation and human connection categories.

Anton captured his winning image in the shallow, seaweed-filled waters of Mo’orea, French Polynesia, after spending long hours searching for seahorses, which are now considered rare in the region.

Although the adult and juveniles are unlikely to be related, their positioning creates the impression of a poignant farewell between a father and his newly released young.

The photograph was taken during a rebreather dive, using a Lumix GH7 in a SeaFrogs housing.

Competition director Will Harrison said the judging panel fell silent when Anton’s image first appeared on screen, describing it as a photograph filled with “quiet energy”.

Other winners included James Ferrara, whose Conservation Impact image shows a whale shark surrounded by divers and snorkellers in the Maldives, while Thomas Pavy won the Conservation Hope category with an image of a great hammerhead photographed at 55 metres in Rangiroa, French Polynesia.

1st place Female Fifty Fathoms Award: Jenny Stock

British underwater photographer Jenny Stock received the Female Fifty Fathoms Award for a portfolio celebrating marine life around the world, including humpback whales, sea lions, sharks and some wonderful UK underwater subjects.

The winning and finalist images will go on display at the Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney from 19 November 2026.

Source: Oceanographic Magazine / Ocean Photographer of the Year

Jane Morgan

Jane’s lifelong love for the ocean began in childhood and has shaped the course of her life and career. After learning to dive in 1991, she spent much of the '90s teaching scuba and working on marine conservation projects in the Philippines and Borneo. A chance encounter with a film camera on a dive trip to Egypt in 2001 ignited a passion for underwater photography, inspiring her to leave the corporate world and pursue a full-time career in dive travel and photojournalism. Since then, her work has been published in a wide range of national and international magazines, books, and newspapers. She has filmed underwater for the BBC, judged major photography competitions, and received numerous accolades—including the prestigious Plongeur d'Or at the Festival Mondial de l'Image Sous-Marine. In 2009, Jane became a freelance photojournalist, and in 2011 completed a BA (Hons) in Marine and Natural History Photography at Falmouth University, where she now works as a Dive Safety Officer. Based in Cornwall, Jane dives locally year-round and is passionate about showcasing the rich marine life found in UK waters. As a proud ambassador for Dynamic Nord and Fathoms Free, she actively supports marine conservation initiatives and advocates for ocean protection through her storytelling. In her newest role with Scubaverse, Jane combines her love of travel, diving, and storytelling—sharing experiences from around the world to inspire others to explore, protect, and connect with the underwater world.

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