Big news for ocean lovers and shutterbugs across the Northern Beaches—finalists have just been announced for the annual Underwater Photography competition, and this year’s contest has revealed some amazing images and talented photographers.

Judges had their work cut out for them as they sorted through a tidal wave of breathtaking shots, making it tougher than ever to narrow down the list of top contenders.

With the finalists officially revealed, the spotlight now turns to the People’s Choice Award, where locals get to have their say. If you want to get involved, you have until Sunday, 21 September to check out all the jaw-dropping photos on the Council’s website and vote for your favourite.

It’s a fantastic way to see the hidden treasures of our local marine world—without ever having to break out the snorkel!

This year’s exhibition is all about celebrating the beauty and diversity living just beneath the waves in the Council’s 5 aquatic reserves. The theme—Wonder, sustaining what sustains us—ties in perfectly with World Ocean Day 2025, reminding us of all of the need to protect these underwater playgrounds.

So, if you’re keen to marvel at some spectacular shots and make your voice heard, jump online, cast your vote, and join in the celebration of our oceans’ wonders.

The winners for each category and the major prize - The Valerie Taylor Underwater Photography Award for Excellence - will be announced at the prize giving ceremony in November 2025 along with the People’s Choice award.

The finalists in the 8 categories are:

Photography

1. Behaviour: Capturing natural behaviour of marine life.

• Peter Hutchins
• Johnavan Ford
• Eddy Price
• Taj Burrowes
• Xina Hudson

2. Macro: Getting up close to the subject matter.

• Xina Hudson
• Alexander Gunter
• Teya McEwan
• Taj Burrowes    
• Eddy Price

3. Threatened Species: Portraying the vulnerability of a threatened species found, for example: black rod cod, grey nurse shark, green turtle.

• Euan Thomas
• Gerrad Kennedy
• Eddy Price
• Lesley Spence
• Nicole Sroba

4. Human Connection: Capturing the positive or negative connection between a person(s) and marine life (flora / fauna / megafauna). This could include monitoring citizen science projects or research undertaken in one of the Northern Beaches aquatic reserves.

• Alana Abercrombie            
• Peter Hutchins                
• David Bellas                
• Rosie Richards                
• Johnavan Ford                

5. Seascapes (wide angle): Capturing the raw beauty of the underwater vista in one of the Northern Beaches aquatic reserves.

• Gaia Nash                    
• Peter Gosper                
• Strath Clarke                
• Mark Endres                
• David Bellas                

6. Youth: For the budding young photographers aged 12 to 17 years old. The winner will be recognised as the Underwater Youth Photographer of the Year 2025.

Emily Sonter                
Andre Chmielweski            
Evelyn Christopher            
Raphael Hampartzoumian        
Lorence Hampartzoumian        

Reels

7. Youth Reels (12 to 17 years): Capturing the wonder of the biodiversity in our underwater world. Reel length is 15 to 30 seconds duration.

• Jesse Loffel
• Ezra Boulton
• Otto Lourecco
• Eugene Lee

8. Open Reels: 18+ years: Capturing the wonder of the biodiversity in our underwater world. Reel length is 15 to 30 seconds duration.

• Mauricio Fuentes            
• Terence Tong    
• Kim Dunbar
• Lauren Elder
• Emilie Pettersson