Ocean Exposures Photo Contest 2025

The contest opens July 31, 2025.

We're looking for amazing photos that showcase the ocean. Have you caught that perfect moment on camera? Want to show your love of the ocean and inspire protection of the ocean and wildlife that surround it? Share your photos with us and get a chance to win big!

Photo subjects must be taken on one of Canada's coasts and please no AI generated images.

Photographs must be entered into one of three categories, described below. If the subject-matter of your photo does not match the category in which it is entered, it may be disqualified by our judge. Participants may submit no more than 5 photos. 

CATEGORIES 

1) Below the Surface: shots may be taken under water or from the surface, but must depict life, objects or landforms beneath the surface. 

2) Coastal Wildlife: from birds in the sky to fish in the sea, so long as it's wild and there's an ocean in sight, your photo of it qualifies here. 

3) Working or Playing on the Ocean: the focus here is on people who derive a livelihood or enjoy recreation on the ocean. 

Sea Huggers' Choice: All photos submitted by the close of the contest will be posted on Living Oceans’ social media for viewing by members of the public. The Sea Huggers' Choice award will go to the photo with the greatest number of “likes” as of midnight, October 31, 2025. 

All entries must be received prior to 11:59 pm PST, September 30, 2025 and uploaded through the contest website (Scroll to the bottom of the page to find the submission form).

Please read the contest rules and regulations to ensure you are eligible before submitting a photo.

Our Judge

Andrew S. Wright is a passionate conservation photographer and has published two photography books arguing for increased environmental stewardship in B.C. His book Emeralds at the Edge, published in 2009, received positive reviews in the Globe and Mail. His current book Faltering Light proposes an end to trophy hunting of bears. Andrew played a lead technical role in the design of the Namgis land-based salmon aquaculture project known as Kuterra. He is a contributor to the Great Bear Rainforest agreement and has travelled on numerous occasions to the region.

Congratulations to all the 2024 winners (winning photos below)! SEE ALL THE 2024 SUBMISSIONS FOR INSPIRATION!

Below the surface first place winner Eduardo Baena

Below the surface second place winner Sara Ellison

Below the surface third place winner Ana Lucia Pozas Franco

Coastal Wildlife first place winner Amanda Nelson

Coastal Wildlife second place winner Alys Williams

Coastal Wildlife third place winner Ken Szeto

Work and Play on the Ocean first place winner Aleah Wong

Work and Play on the Ocean second place winner Kim Senko

Work and Play on the Ocean third place winner Neil Saxvik

Seahuggers Choice Award winner Yasmine Mohammad