A water bubble dripping off a cresting wave in the shape of a heart with the letters “LOV” seeming to appear above and a curious seal swimming through a kelp forest are among the recently announced winners in the Laguna Bluebelt Coalition’s 14th annual photo contest.
The contest accepted photos taken between May 2024 and June 2025 in Laguna Beach’s Marine Protected Areas, which encompass the coves, cliffs and lagoons along most of the city’s six miles of coastline.
“We’re riding a wave of gratitude for everyone who dove into this year’s photo contest, from the talented photographers to the fabulous finned and flippered stars of theshow,” said Anne Girtz, a Bluebelt board member who runs the contest. “Every entry celebrating Laguna’s Marine Protected Areas overflowed with heart, color and deep love for our magical ocean world. These stunning snapshots don’t just capture beauty, they inspire awe, connection and a renewed commitment to protecting our ocean’s fragile brilliance.”
The contest awarded prizes in professional and amateur categories. Also, for the first time, it included a children’s under 13 category. The judges were Rich German, founder of Project O and an avid paddleboarder and photographer; marine scientist Julianne Steers; and filmmaker and ocean advocate Greg MacGillivray.
Bluebelt founders say the contest is not only a nod to the talent of photographers from Southern California and beyond but also a testament to the success of the preservation efforts of the state’s program of marine protected areas. The images are often used as examples to educate local government and state wildlife agencies about the success of the conservation efforts.
This year, in the amateur category, Kaelin Housewright of Los Angeles took first place; Michael Oakley of Long Beach received second place; and Yvonne Bellgardt of Pico Rivera won third place.
In the professional category, Craig Hatfield of Mission Viejo took first place; Noah Gilbert of Los Angeles came in second; and Jordan Manning of Dana Point won third place.
Hatfield, who took the “Heart Bubble” photo, said he found his image south of Main Beach near the Surf & Sand Hotel while he was in the water with a waterproof camera.
“At first, I did not notice the heart bubble that formed inside the wave,” he said. “I then noticed it at a later time and thought it was quite amazing. My son Chase noticed it looked like it says ‘LOV’ above the heart, and I was completely blown away.”
A fine art ocean and wave photographer, Hatfield said he developed his passion for photography in the water and the beauty of nature as a kid surfing at El Morro Beach. His favorite locations to shoot are along Laguna Beach’s shoreline and at Salt Creek Beach in Dana Point.
“I am a firm believer in the conservation of all beaches and especially Laguna Beach, which in my opinion is the most beautiful beach in all of California,” he said.
Each category also included several photographs that won honorable mentions.
“Having photographed the ocean around the world for the past 60 years, I have to say that the submissions to this contest were outstanding and I am so encouraged because the amateur submissions were, in my opinion, equal to those in the professional division,” Macgillivary said. “That says a lot of people love and respect our marine protected area and the gift that the ocean generously gives to us each day is super well appreciated.”
Top winners will receive cash prizes during an artist reception on Aug. 7, hosted by the Laguna College of Art & Design at its gallery on Ocean Avenue, during the city’s popular Thursday Art Walk. The photos will be displayed at the gallery from then until Aug. 17.