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A small squad of gentoo penguins on the hunt for their own prey—in leopard seal country
 

After two years of meticulous planning, I embarked on an expedition to the remote, icy continent of Antarctica. Our small team set sail across the notorious Drake Passage, the “small” slice of ocean between the southern tip of South America, and the Antarctic Peninsula. Our crossing encompassed four treacherous days at sea, relentless sailing work, and grueling late-night watch shifts. The group’s anticipation of reaching land and finding shelter in a calm bay was palpable. Upon arrival, we were greeted by a stunning landscape of colossal icebergs stretching away to the horizon. Their stark white and electric blue hues contrasted beautifully with the overcast sky and deep blue waters. At that moment, I knew the journey had been worth it.

Our trip’s primary mission was to photograph Antarctica’s underwater world—icebergs, penguins, whales, Weddell and crabeater seals, and Antarctica’s most iconic predator, the leopard seal. Of course, as with everything on this trip, we would be at the mercy of the weather and water conditions. We also planned some aerial and topside photography when diving wasn’t feasible. While I was eager to capture all of Antarctica’s marine life, my heart was set on the thrill of swimming and photographing a leopard seal.
 

A massive iceberg, an iconic sight in Antarctic waters, each one a unique size and shape
 

Early in the voyage, we encountered several leopard seals resting on ice floes, but frustratingly none of them wanted to play with us in the water. Despite that, the optimism of our guide, captain, and crew kept us motivated. One evening, after a full day of diving and dinner under a setting sun, our captain ventured out in a zodiac and spotted a leopard seal that had just slipped into the water. He radioed back, urging anyone interested to join quickly. Shockingly, to me, only myself and one other diver accepted. You don’t come to Antarctica to swim with leopard seals and then pass up opportunities to swim with leopard seals!

Though the idea of donning my drysuit for a fourth frigid dive of the day was daunting, I reminded myself why I came. Fueled by anticipation, we boarded the zodiac and set off. The encounter was the most intense and challenging dive of my life. The seal exhibited a wide range of behaviors—hiding against the iceberg, darting through the water, blowing bubbles, and flashing its teeth. At times, it would vanish into the dim water and reappear right between our fins, locking eyes with us. Maneuvering in a drysuit made the experience even more suspenseful. After about an hour, we surfaced, cold but thrilled, and warmed up with hot tea. Though brief, the dive yielded solid images, and we looked forward to the next opportunity.

Over the following week, we focused primarily on diving with penguins and humpbacks, captivated by their behavior and the bay’s exceptional visibility. After three days in the same anchorage, we resumed our search for leopard seals, aware that our time in Antarctica was coming to an end. Our guide suggested one final spot where he was confident we’d find a seal.
 

While a leopard seal was our biggest target of the trip, we also spent time photographing leopard seal food—penguins!
 

We set out in two zodiacs and headed to a bay densely populated with penguins. There, we spotted a large leopard seal swimming along the rocky shore. We quietly entered the water and formed a line parallel to the coastline. The seal, curious and composed, approached each diver in turn. As the encounter progressed, its behavior escalated—blowing bubbles, baring its teeth, and approaching our cameras closely. At one point, it extended its neck nearly a meter in a lightning-fast display of dominance, nearly engulfing my dome port. It was an awe-inspiring—and unsettling—experience.

This time, daylight and clear visibility allowed me to better track the seal’s movements. I adjusted my camera settings, hoping to capture a dramatic shot of its open mouth. With several divers rotating through the encounter, I had opportunities to review my images and refine my approach. We spent nearly two hours in the water. Eventually, the cold became overwhelming; my hands went numb, and I developed a severe headache. Recognizing the danger of impaired judgment near an apex predator, I exited the water.
 

This male leopard seal was an absolute superstar, posing for our group and showing off those pearly whites!
 

Despite the physical discomfort, I was absolutely thrilled with the images I had captured. Once back on the boat, I immediately reviewed them on my computer screen and confirmed the quality. I selected one standout image for submission to the Underwater Awards Australasia. It featured a wide-open mouth, sharp eye contact, and crisp focus—an image that conveyed the aggression and personality for which leopard seals are known. My winning photo was taken with my Sony A7R Mark V and a Sony 12–24mm f/2.8 lens (at 19mm), inside a Nauticam NA-A7RV housing, using dual ONEUW One160X II strobes. My go-to settings were f/7.1, 1/250s, and ISO 800.

I’m honored to have received Gold (1st place) in the International Waters Category and “Best in Show” at the Underwater Awards Australasia 2025, and I’m deeply grateful to the sponsors and judges for recognizing the visual impact and storytelling power of the photograph. I am also incredibly excited, looking towards my next expedition with prize sponsor Ocean Souls Explorer!
 

The image that secured the overall win in the Underwater Awards Australasia 2025—a large male leopard seal gaping at the camera
 

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