Photo of Mike Vaughan Jr., founder of Pro SUP Shop in the Santa Monica bay by Bo Bridges

[Update: Submissions are now closed. The winner will be announced soon. Thank you to everyone who participated]
At Pro SUP Shop, our mission has always been to share our love and passion for the ocean with the world. Ocean preservation sits at the very core of what we do from quiet lessons at Mother’s Beach to community paddles that remind us why these waters matter.

The Wildlife Photography Contest is now closed, but it’s far from the end of the story. We’ll announce the winning image soon, and we hope this becomes the first in a long series of community traditions that highlight what makes Marina del Rey so extraordinary.

📸 Capture the harbor’s wildlife & win one full year of VIP Membership

At Pro SUP Shop, we’ve had the privilege of working alongside some of the most talented photographers in the world. These images have helped tell the story of both Pro SUP Shop and Marina del Rey in ways words couldn’t begin to. That’s why this year we’re turning the lens to celebrate the incredible local talent here in the LA area by hosting our first-ever Wildlife Photo Contest.

The calm waters of Marina del Rey are teeming with life with sea lions lounging on buoys, pelicans diving, stingrays gliding through the flats, herons perched along the docks, and perhaps a dolphin cutting across the channel once in a while. We’re inviting photographers of all levels to show us the harbor through your lens.

Photo by Brandon Kirk

Contest Details
**Contest Dates:** August 22 – September 30, 2025
**Grand Prize:** *1 Year of Pro SUP Shop VIP Membership* (Unlimited SUP + Kayak Rentals) a $1788 Value
16x20 archival print of the winning image courtesy of DSJ Printing,
Winning photo will also be featured on Venice Paparazzi
**Winner Announced:** October 6, 2025

Photo by Kirill Umrikhin

How to Enter
Post your photo on Instagram between **August 22 and September 30, 2025**.
Use the hashtag **#MDRWildlife2025** in your caption.
Tag **@ProSUPShop** so we don’t miss it.
Mention where in Marina del Rey your photo was taken.
Rules
Photos must be taken in **Marina del Rey, California**.
Wildlife must be shown in a **legal,** **safe and respectful context**. No feeding, touching, or disturbing animals. Please obey all posted signage.
All entries must be your own **original photographs** (no AI-generated images).
You may submit multiple entries, but each must be a separate Instagram post.
No watermarks — full photographer credit will always be given
By entering, you grant Pro SUP Shop permission to share your image (with credit and linkbacks where applicable) on our blog, social media, email marketing, and website gallery.
Judging
Our panel will select the winner based on **creativity, composition, clarity, and how well the image captures the spirit of Marina del Rey wildlife**:
**Kirill Umrikhin** – World-class action, sports, and outdoor photographer whose work has been published around the globe. We’re especially excited to have him on the judging panel this year. And if you’re looking to sharpen your own skills, Kirill is also hosting a **free workshop in San Diego on October 2, 4, and 5**. This is an incredible chance to learn from a master behind the lens as part of the Nikon Tour.
**Joy Peters** – Professional Portrait Photographer
**Coral Hine** – Art Director, photographer, and the vision behind our visuals

Bonus Exposure

Even if you don’t win, selected entries may be featured on the Pro SUP Shop blog and social media, always with full photographer credit and links to your portfolio or Instagram.

📍 Hashtag: #MDRWildlife2025
📍 Tag: @ProSUPShop
📍 Location: Marina del Rey, California

Marina del Rey Wildlife Photo Contest 2025

We’ve been genuinely moved by the submissions coming in for our first-ever Wildlife of Marina del Rey Photo Contest.

Huge thanks to every photographer who’s entered. Your work has brought so much beauty and perspective. It’s been a true pleasure seeing Marina del Rey through your lenses.

Every submission in this gallery links directly to the photographer’s Instagram & we highly encourage you to explore their pages and follow their work because these artists deserve to be seen.

We’re honored to help spotlight these moments and build a living archive of the wild beauty that calls Marina del Rey home.