Grand Prize WInners
This year, the competition was so inspiring that the judges simply couldn’t choose just one grand prize winner. We are delighted to award a tie to two phenomenal photographers. Please join us in congratulating Ryan Duba and Mark Snyder:
Grand Prize Winner:
Photographer Ryan Duba
Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Ryan is known for his candid style event photography. What excites him the most about photography is the ability to capture the emotion of a specific time from which you can feel the emotion exude. Ryan's ultimate goal and keen ability is capturing the feeling of a life event, the perfect sunrise, or a thrilling adventure. The ability to travel and share emotional experiences with the world is an honor and a pleasure.
Photo Title: Symmetry of Solitude
Location: Hamanasi Beach
Date: February 19th, 2024
Category: Relax, You’re in Belize!
Here are some judges comments about Ryan’s photo:
“Ryan captured the pure joy and tranquility of our seaside paradise. This photo is serene, magical and immediately calming.”
“The repeat of nature’s colors above and below the horizon life focuses the eye directly on the individual and the sun creating a feeling of emotional centering.”
Grand Prize Winner:
Photographer Mark Snyder
Mark is a father of 3 wonderful boys with my beautiful wife, Kristy. I am an Optometrist in Pennsylvania who loves traveling the world, eating amazing food, and documenting our family's adventures.
Photo Title: Ripples of Life
Location: Hamanasi Pond
Date: December 24, 2025
Category: Art of Nature
Here are some judges comments about Mark’s photo:
“The photo conveyed still life with the static leaves, movement with the ripples and depth by inviting the eye below the water’s surface. The frog reveals almost as a surprise.”
“The composition combining the reflection in the water with the expanding ripple and nearly hidden frog truly captures the art of nature.”
Category WInners
From vibrant marine & jungle adventures to unforgettable moments in paradise, each entry showcased the beauty and spirit of Belize in a truly unique way. Photos were judged on creativity, quality, originality, responsiveness to the prompt, and overall impact — and these winning images rose to the top.
Congratulations to all of our selected category winners, and thank you to everyone who shared their incredible experiences through photography. Your talent made this year’s competition exceptionally difficult to judge:
Relax, You’re in Belize!: Ryan Duba
The Spirit of Adventure: Ethan Berke
Art of Nature: Mark Snyder
Life in Hopkins: Gus Onken
Relax, You're in Belize!
The Spirit of Adventure
Art of Nature
Life in Hopkins
Photographer Ryan Duba
Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Ryan is known for his candid style event photography. What excites him the most about photography is the ability to capture the emotion of a specific time from which you can feel the emotion exude. Ryan's ultimate goal and keen ability is capturing the feeling of a life event, the perfect sunrise, or a thrilling adventure. The ability to travel and share emotional experiences with the world is an honor and a pleasure.
Category: Relax, You're in Belize!
Photo Title: Symmetry of Solitude
Location: Hamanasi Beach
Date: February 19th, 2024
Photographer Ethan Berke
An amateur photographer living in the high plains of Cheyenne, Wyoming the passion for photography began at age 12, developing film by hand, and has evolved through years of traveling to document community, family, and adventure. Yet, the underwater world remained largely unexplored until a visit to Hamanasi.
My goal is never just to record what sits in front of the lens, but to make the image feel alive. Whether sparking curiosity about what a shark and a diver are thinking in a shared moment, or highlighting the vulnerability of marine life, he hopes his work inspires others to explore and protect the extraordinary wonders of our planet.
Category: The Spirit of Adventure
Photo Title: Right of Way
Location: Half Moon Wall, Lighthouse Reef, Belize
Date: December 28, 2025
Photographer Mark Snyder
Mark is a father of 3 wonderful boys with my beautiful wife, Kristy. I am an Optometrist in Pennsylvania who loves traveling the world, eating amazing food, and documenting our family's adventures.
Category: Art of Nature
Photo Title: Ripples of Life
Location: Hamanasi Pond
Date: December 24, 2025
Photographer Gus Onken
Category: Life in Hopkins
Location: Hopkins Village Beach
Category Finalists
Thanks to all our participants for sharing their photos of Belize. As usual, you’ve made it very hard on our judges to pick the winners. View our finalists and honorable mentions below, and the winners will be announced June 25th.
Got a great shot to share from your time in Belize? Click here to be informed of our next contest.
Steven Adashek
Art of Nature
Leona O'Keefe
The Spirit of Adventure
Heather Barnett
Life in Hopkins
Kristy Shellenberger
Relax You're in Belize
Ryan Duba
Relax You're in Belize
Petula Foley
Art of Nature
Sean Hoyer
Art of Nature
Ethan Berke
The Spirit of Adventure
Mark Snyder
Art of Nature
Ryan Duba
The Spirit of Adventure
Maggie Garratt
Relax You're in Belize
Mindy Burks
Art of Nature
Mark Snyder
Life in Hopkins
Gus Onken
Life in Hopkins
Honorable Mentions
Heather Barnett
Art of Nature
Kailah Scott
Art of Nature
Mindy Burks
The Spirit of Adventure
Steven Adashek
Art of Nature
Lauren Marion
The Spirit of Adventure
Ethan Berke
Relax You're in Belize
Steven Adashek
Life in Hopkins
Sean Fischer
Art of Nature
Petula Foley
Art of Nature
Heather Barnett
The Spirit of Adventure
Kristy Shellenberger
Relax You're in Belize
Mark Snyder
The Spirit of Adventure
Ryan Duba
Relax You're in Belize
Mindy Burks
Relax You're in Belize
Mercer Boatright
Art of Nature
Petula Foley
Art of Nature
Steven Levi
Art of Nature
Ryan Duba
The Spirit of Adventure
Ryan Duba
Life in Hopkins
Chris Meisenhalder
Relax You're in Belize
Ethan Berke
Art of Nature
Autumn Hall
Art of Nature
Sean Hoyer
Relax You're in Belize
Ethan Berke
The Spirit of Adventure
Gus Onken
Life in Hopkins
Gus Onken
Life in Hopkins
Sean Fischer
Life in Hopkins
Sean Fischer
Art of Nature
Lisa Huvenaars
The Spirit of Adventure
Mark Snyder
Life in Hopkins
Ryan Duba
Relax You're in Belize
Petula Foley
Art of Nature
Categories
Relax, You’re in Belize!
Whether it is a massage, yoga in the morning, naptime in a hammock, reading while lounging poolside, sipping a cocktail or more, show us relaxation at Hamanasi!
The Spirit of Adventure
Belize is an adventure travel destination. What got your heart racing? What was new to you? What made you excited? What did you discover?
Art of Nature
Sometimes, photos of nature look like an artist’s canvas. Find the artistry in nature’s beauty.
Life in Hopkins Village
Capture the unique, curious, beautiful and interesting in our village.
Prizes
The Grand Prize winner will receive a 3-night stay at Hamanasi for up to two people in a run of house room, including breakfast and one scheduled rainforest adventure. Each category winner will receive a Hamanasi gift pack. The winning photos will be printed and displayed in a gallery at Hamanasi.
Don't Miss Our Next Photo Contest
Our next photo contest will be our 2027 Oceans Month Photo Contest. Submissions will be accepted May 15 – July 31, 2027. Enter your contact information below to be notified of this and future photo contests.