15th Annual Laguna Bluebelt Photo Contest Winners!

Blog > 15th Annual Laguna Bluebelt Photo Contest Winners!

A huge thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s 15th Annual Laguna Bluebelt Photo Contest! As we celebrate the fifteenth year of the contest, we couldn’t be more grateful to everyone who has entered over the years and helped make this tradition such a success.

This year we received over 80 incredible entries, and every one of them showcased the beauty, diversity, and wonder of Laguna Beach’s marine environment. Choosing the winners was no easy task, and we’re grateful to every photographer who shared their unique perspective and helped celebrate our coast.

A special thank you to our outstanding panel of judges for generously sharing their time and expertise:

• Julianne Steers – marine scientist, conservation photographer, and ocean advocate.
• Rich German – founder of Project O, photographer, and ocean conservation advocate.
• Greg MacGillivray – Academy Award-winning filmmaker and renowned ocean explorer.

The Laguna Bluebelt Photo Contest is about more than great photography; it’s about inspiring appreciation for the Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) that protect Laguna’s extraordinary marine life and coastal ecosystems for future generations.

The winners are listed below. All winners, including honorable mentions and our Fan Favorite, will be recognized in the 15th Annual Laguna Bluebelt Photo Exhibition at the Laguna College of Art + Design (LCAD) Gallery. The exhibition opens with a public reception and celebration on Thursday, August 6, 2026, and runs through August 16. We hope you’ll join us in celebrating these talented photographers and the remarkable marine life that inspires their work.

Congratulations to this year’s winners, and thank you again to everyone who entered!