Ocean Photographer of the Year 2025, BENTHO2

1st place Adventure Photographer of the Year

Ben Thouard Portugal

39°36'21.1"N 9°05'13.5"W

“A rough day at Nazaré,” says Thouard. “The wind was blowing from the north which makes the surf tricky. Not many surfers went out, but Justine Dupont and Eric Rebiere, who I was there to shoot, decided to give it a try. It was the end of the afternoon; the light was interesting from the beach instead as from the usual cliff view. It was hard to shoot anything because of the big sets and the saltwater in the air. But, eventually, this moment happened.”

BEHIND THE LENS

Ocean Photographer of the Year 2025, BENTHO2

Ben Thouard France

ABOUT THE IMAGE

Windy
Cold
Big swell
Shot from shoreline

Ben is a French-born ocean photographer based in Tahiti, where his lifelong passion for the sea and watersports meets his craft. He began capturing ocean moments as a teenager, driven by a desire to share the emotions he felt while surfing and swimming in powerful waves. In Tahiti’s world-renowned waves and underwater landscapes, Ben developed his unique visual style. His work has led to the publication of two books—Surface and Turbulences—and earned him international acclaim, including the 2019 Red Bull Illume overall win and the 2022 Ocean Photographer of the Year title. Ben continues to let the rhythm of the ocean guide his photography and creative journey.