“An unforgettable experience, the best large animal I’ve ever encountered.” This is how photographer Byron Conway describes his rendezvous with a silky shark on the Cuban coast. Conway uses slow shutter speed to capture some natural motion as marine life swims near the water. The resulting images (as mentioned above) received the highest honor in the Marine Program category of the 2025 Shark Photographer Award.
On July 14, marking Shark Awareness Day and in celebration, the Shark Trust announced the fascinating winner of this year’s competition. More than 1,200 species of sharks and rays navigate the Earth’s waters, but these animals face increasing challenges, climate change and habitat loss.
Shark Photographer of the Year
Credits: Julian Hibenstriet/Shark Trust
Julian Hebestreit
“This photograph is at first glance quite simple, but with a depth that rewards repeated views. The golden form of the Indo-Pacific Leopardshark stands in vivid contrast to the dark rock and the white sand. Placing it small in the frame creates a sense of drama rather than distance. For me, it suggests the precarious existence of our remaining sharks, this golden species representing treasure in dark times,” Simon Rogerson, The judge for the Shark Trust Patron and one match said in a statement.
British Isles, runner-up
Credits: Colin Garrett/Shark Trust
Young shark photographer
The 2025 young shark photographer was awarded Panitbhand Paribatra na Ayudhya as his whale shark feeds on the ground. He said: “I am very happy to see the largest fish in the world feed on some of the smallest creatures in the ocean. To me, enjoying this moment is not all, and we have to take action to help ensure that these incredible, tender sea giants survive. I believe that together, I believe we can help them live freely in their ocean homes so that they can share with them so that we can share with us so that we can live with us.”
Credits: Panitbhand Paribatra Na Ayudhya / Shark Trust
British Isles, runner-up
Image source: James Lea / Shark Trust
Great Eggshell Hunting, Runner-up
Credits: Tom Ingram/Shark Trust
Highly praised
Credits: Claude Lespani/Shark Trust
Highly praised
Credits: Galice Hoarau / Shark Trust
Highly praised
Credits: Laura Storm/Shark Trust
Highly praised
Credits: Martin Brun/Shark Trust
Highly praised
Credits: Rowan Dear/Shark Trust
Highly praised
Credits: Rowan Dear/Shark Trust
Highly praised
Credits: Vadim Belakhov / Shark Trust
Highly praised
Image source: Megan Shea Graff / Shark Trust Jacob McCue 0423004839
Living with Sharks, Runner-up
Credits: LászlóFöldi / Shark Trust
Living with Shark Winners
“Blue Sharks are bold and curious, and the four of us snorkeling have a lot of good interactions with them, but I especially like the interaction in this image. It’s easy to imagine the shark asking the photographer, do you have the best side of me?”
Credits: Gillian Marsh / Shark Trust
Overseas, runner-up
Credits: Vadim Belakhov / Shark Trust
