With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
Calling All Photographers: Bring Your Camera And Shoot To Your Heart's Delight At The Aquarium Of The Pacific
This photo won the aquarium's photo contest in 2022.
(
Erik Jay/Aquarium of the Pacific
)
Heads up, wildlife photographers: the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach will host its annual photographers’ night on Sunday.
Now in its 14th year, the event takes place from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., after the aquarium's closed to the public.
Anitza Valles, the aquarium’s web and social media manager, came up with the idea.
Sponsored message
“We invite photographers, amateur and professional, all ages, all skill levels to come and enjoy a night of photography at the aquarium where they don't have to battle it out with regular guests or strollers or any other kids,” Valles said. “It's basically a night for people to kind of camp out and get the shots that they've always wanted to get.”
You don't have to take photos of fish to stand out at Photographers' Night - this photo won the aquarium's contest in 2018.
(
EE Moore/Aquarium of the Pacific
)
The event will also feature vendors like Fujifilm, which will lend equipment to attendees, as well as an introductory workshop. Guests will also be able to make a splash by competing in the aquarium’s annual photo contest.
Photographers Night
WHEN: 6:00 p.m. –10:00 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 1
WHERE: Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802
COST: $44.95 per person. $41.95 for members. Advance reservations required.
INFO: Click here
The biggest attraction
Valles, who’s an amateur photographer herself, said sea jellies are often the biggest attraction on photography night, but getting the right shot of the slow-moving sea creatures can take a bit of work.
Photographers gather around the Aquarium's Amber Forest exhibit hoping for the one perfect shot.
(
Anitza Valles/Aquarium of the Pacific
)
Sponsored message
“It seems really simple, but then once you actually just stop the motion in your camera, you realize that jellies look very strange when they're mid-motion,” she said. “So you kind of have to follow them along and get in tune with their timing.”
Photographers camp out all night at the aquarium's exhibits for the perfect photo, like this 2021 contest-winning shot.
(
Rebecca Li/Aquarium of the Pacific
)
Some exhibits will have restrictions on flash photography and bright lights. For instance, flash is not allowed near the giant Pacific octopus since it’s a den animal that prefers low light. Otherwise, photographers will have free rein to take photos of any of the aquarium’s animals.
Valles said even after almost 15 years, she’s still surprised by the pictures people take — even of the less photogenic animals at the aquarium.
The Pacific spiny lumpsucker stuns in this photo, which won the aquarium's photo contest in 2019.
(
Heather Lemmon/Aquarium of the Pacific
)
“People think ‘aquarium,’ they think bright tropical fish, but we get really interesting fish that most people might have not paid attention to on a regular visit,” Valles said. “You get something like the Pacific spiny lumpsuckers. That’s one of my favorites in recent years, and it is the most adorably ugly, cute fish you can think of.”
Sponsored message
You can find more details about the event and buy tickets at the Aquarium of the Pacific’s website.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
