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Finalist Conservation (Impact) Photographer of the Year

Jesse Miller United States

47°20'54.6"N 122°19'39.8"W

"In recent years, Sixgill Sharks have been spotted at our local dive spot, Redondo Beach in Des Moines, Washington," says Miller. "Every time I encounter one of these ancient animals, it is truly a spiritual experience. When I initially took this image, I almost discarded it due to the toilet and traffic cone. But something drew me back to it. I believe it is the contrast between a 200 million year old prehistoric animal and trash that humans have created. This image is a juxtaposition between nature’s beauty and humanity’s destructive nature."

BEHIND THE LENS

Ocean Photographer of the Year 2025, JESMIL2

Jesse Miller United States (US)

ABOUT THE IMAGE

  • Early evening
  • Taken while scuba diving
  • Calm conditions
  • f/10, 1/125s, ISO 400

Jesse Miller is an underwater photographer based in Puyallup, Washington, with over 15 years of diving experience and more than 1,350 dives. Combining technical skill with a deep love for marine life, Jesse’s photography captures the beauty and mystery of the underwater world. When not in the water, he works as Senior Vice President of Sales for a Toronto-based software company. His passion for the ocean drives him to create imagery that inspires curiosity, exploration, and conservation of marine environments.