Sage Ono

Area of Residence: Pacific Grove, CA

Sage Ono is an underwater photographer based in Monterey Bay, California. His work has been recognized by Wildlife Photographer of the Year, Underwater Photographer of the Year, and Asferico, and his writing has appeared in Oceanographic Magazine and on National Geographic online. Sage’s work is inspired by a love for overlooked species and characterized by a quiet, geometric visual style. Although Sage began photographing underwater in 2016, moving to Monterey Bay in 2022 allowed him to pursue it with intention. The bay’s cold, green water, towering kelp forests, and community of artists helped sharpen his eye, while volunteering with Reef Check deepened his understanding of the ecosystems he documents. That awareness now guides his shift toward conservation-focused storytelling that spans not only the kelp forest but also the open ocean and California’s rivers and streams.