UPY 2025

UPY  Up & Coming - Runner Up
'Close encounters of the giant kind'
Christian Hut

Photographing Tonga’s humpback whales had been on my wish list for a long time, and it definitely did not disappoint. What made the experience truly special is the sheer diversity of the encounters. Every single time you get in the water it is different, with each whale having a unique personality, and with their attitude towards swimmers often changing throughout the day. The most exciting, of course, are the encounters where the whales’ curiosity matches your own, and that was clearly the case with this mom-and-calf pair. We were able to spend several hours with them as they navigated around the Vava’u islands, alternating between travel, rest and play. This shot, taken when the pair crossed a shallow reef, remains one of my favourite images from that amazing day.

Judge's comment: What a dream encounter of a mother and calf. The reef gives a fantastic sense of scale to the whales, really showing their size, while adding interest and visual depth to the composition. Talk about everything coming together...

Alex Mustard