Playful sea lion pups “chased, gently nipped, and twisted around the camera, fascinated by their reflections in its curved dome port,” explains winner of prestigious ocean photography award

Snapping a beautiful wildlife scene is rewarding, but when the animal actually interacts with you during the process, it’s an extra-special experience, and can lead to extra spectacular shots.

That was the case for British underwater photographer, Jenny Stock, who was recently named the Ocean Photographer of the Year Female Fifty Fathoms 2026 winner.

Stock’s winning portfolio included an incredible scene of two sea lion pups, who not only interacted with the photographer, but even copied her movements, turning as she spun in the water.

“The playful animals chased, gently nipped, and twisted around the camera, fascinated by their reflections in its curved dome port,” Stock told the photography competition organizers.

Gear and settings: Canon 5D Mark IV in underwater housing | 1/200 sec | f/18 | ISO 400

Stock pictured the playful pups in Western Australia’s Jurien Bay Marine Park. According to the Australian Government, the site is the only sea lion breeding zone along Australia’s western coastline, and is home to roughly 20% of the region’s 800-strong population.

Interactions with divers have proven the marine mammals to be highly sociable and intelligent, with Stock saying that her experience revealed their “curious” nature.

Other images in Stock’s commended portfolio included a brilliantly composed shot of a green turtle passing above the coral floor near the surface of the French Polynesian Pacific waters. Stock commented that she used a fast shutter speed and a small aperture to control the “intense brightness”.

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Green turtle below the French Polynesian Pacific waves

Gear and settings: Canon 5D Mark IV | 1/600 sec | f/11 | ISO 400

Mother humpback with her calf in Tongan waters

Gear and settings: Canon 5D Mark II | 1/125 | f/12 | ISO 320

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The Female Fifty Fathoms Award is a category of the Ocean Photographer of the Year Awards, celebrating the best women-created ocean photography. Unlike other categories, the recipient is nominated by her peers and judged by the Ocean Photographer of the Year jury.

Stock said: “To be nominated by fellow ocean photographers means more to me than I can easily express. I hope this recognition inspires more women to pick up a camera and discover the magic that’s beneath the surface.”