Ocean Photographer of the Year 2026, Julien Anton - Oceanographic

Subscribe today from as little as £2 / $2.70 a month! Find out more

Subscribe from £2 / $2.70 a month! Find out more

  • News
  • Stories
  • Videos
  • Podcast
  • Events
  • Storyteller in Residence
  • Ocean Photographer of the Year
  • Shop
  • LOG IN
  • Search
Digital bookshelf
Oceanographic Logo
  • Conservation
  • Adventure
  • Exploration
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • News & stories
    • News
    • Stories
    • Storyteller in residence
  • Videos
  • Podcast
  • Events
  • Shop
  • Ocean Photographer of the Year

Winners Gallery

<< Back to WINNERS GALLERY
  • Previews
  • 1st
  • Next

1st place The Ocean Photographer of the Year

Julien Anton Mo'orea, French Polynesia

17°33'32.3"S 149°51'02.8"W

An adult seahorse pictured with newly born juveniles in the shallow seaweed-filled waters of Moorea, French Polynesia. Although they are unlikely to be related, their arrangement creates the impression of a farewell, as if the tiny seahorses are gathering around a father after he has released them into the world. Seahorses are now rare in French Polynesia so this image was the result of long hours of searching among the seaweed.

BEHIND THE LENS

Ocean Photographer of the Year 2026, Julien Anton

Julien Anton French Polynesia

  • Follow Julien On Instagram

ABOUT THE IMAGE

  • Photo taken while on a rebreather dive
  • Lumix GH7 & SeaFrogs Housing
  • BigblueLights 2x 36000Lumens & x1 12000Lumens
  • 1/320, F/5.6, ISO 400

French underwater photographer Julien Anton has created a series of work dedicated to highlighting and protecting marine environments. With a background in high-level sport, he brings a disciplined and detail-oriented visual approach that produces refined imagery with impact. His images have been exhibited in France and Australia and have been part of international projects such as collaborations linked to the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). He is an active proponent of increasing awareness of ocean conservation issues through collaboration with scientific and media organisations.

MORE IMAGES BY Julien Anton

WildlifePhotographer of the Year

2026 French Polynesia

Ocean Photographer of the Year 2026, JULANT10

Fine ArtPhotographer of the Year

2024 Tahiti, French Polynesia

Ocean Fine Art Photographer of the Year 2024, JULANT1

Reconnect. Immerse yourself. Be inspired.

Enjoy the vibrancy, beauty and impact of each year's finalist photography, celebrated in our Ocean Photographer of the Year coffee table book collection.

Shop_otherproductsHEADER_OPY2026_BK
Add to cart Buy now

Newsletter

Receive the latest from Oceanographic and get 10% off your first order.

footer Photographer logo
  • Home page
  • OPY
  • Stories
  • Magazine
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Shop
  • News
  • Faqs
  • Legal
  • Read for free
  • Stockists

Copyright © 2026 CXD MEDIA LTD.

All rights reserved

10% off your first order!

Enjoy 10% off your first order with Oceanographic.

Choose from subscriptions, print magazines, books & photography prints – or bundle them together!

Use code WelcomeAboard10 at checkout.

Get 10% off