Winners Gallery
2nd place Young Photographer of the Year
Théo Guillaume French Polynesia
"In January 2025, I observed hatchlings navigating the jagged “papa” rocks, where waves pulse against the shore," says Guillaume. "When this individual's tiny head emerged from the water, it released a delicate jet from its nostrils: seawater swallowed in the frantic crawl to the sea. It was a fleeting gesture, easily missed, yet full of meaning. Sea turtles breathe through their mouths, but expel water through their noses, even at this age. This quiet breath, suspended in time - silent tribute to the profound beauty of small moments."
BEHIND THE LENS
Théo Guillaume France
ABOUT THE IMAGE
- Sunset shoot
- Flat sea conditions
- 29 degrees Celsius water temperature
- f/5.6, 1/3200s, ISO 400
Théo is a marine biologist and photographer from Avize, France, whose fascination with the ocean began during childhood trips to Mauritius and Martinique. He holds a double master’s degree in oceanography and marine biology and is now based in French Polynesia, where he works on conservation projects such as sea turtle monitoring, shark tagging, and coral restoration. Théo documents these efforts through photography and is developing a documentary series on Polynesian reef fish. Whether diving or freediving, he spends most of his time in the water, using visual storytelling to share the beauty and fragility of marine life.