Brian Skerry
Brian Skerry is a National Geographic Photography Fellow whose immersive ocean storytelling reveals the intelligence, beauty, and fragility of marine life. From great whales to coral reefs, his work combines scientific insight and visual poetry to deepen public understanding of our oceans—and inspire action to protect the blue heart of our planet.
Underwater Photographer
•
Whale Whisperer
•
Mainer
•
Underwater Photographer • Whale Whisperer • Mainer •
More about Brian
As a visual storyteller, Brian has spent more than 12,000 hours submerged underwater. For anyone trying to do the math, that’s one year, four-and-a-half months, and counting. Since his first National Geographic assignment in 1998, Brian has photographed more than 30 stories for the magazine, including 6 cover stories. Brian began his career asking questions about ocean-related issues and creating stories that allowed us to see both the magic of the ocean as well as the environmental problems that threaten it.
A founding member of the International League of Conservation Photographers, Brian’s work is proof that visuals can make a difference. His images have helped sway policy makers to implement marine protected areas and to pass legislation that will have lasting positive impact on the world’s oceans. His iconic images of marine life and habitats off the coasts of all 7 continents have appeared in Sports Illustrated, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Paris Match, Esquire, Audubon, and others.
-
Brian was named a National Geographic Society Photography Fellow in 2014 and then a Storytelling Fellow in 2017, the same year he was named the Rolex National Geographic Explorer of the Year. He has been recognized worldwide with awards for his photography and photojournalism including being an 11-time award winner in the prestigious Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition.
National Geographic magazine selected one of Brian’s images as one of their 50 Greatest Photographs of All Time and his Disney+ series Secrets of the Whales won the 2021 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Documentary.
Speaking Topics
Conservation
Science
Exploration
Overcoming Obstacles
Nature
Watch Brian in action
Presentations
Ocean Soul
For four decades, Brian Skerry has explored Earth’s oceans across every continent and ecosystem. In Ocean Soul, the award-winning photojournalist and filmmaker shares his visual stories, capturing the ocean’s beauty, mystery, and fragility. His work reveals a world in trouble—but also a place of hope, showing how thoughtful care and attention can help the oceans rebound.
Ancient Wisdom of the Whales
Dive into whale culture with underwater photographer Brian Skerry. His research reveals that whales celebrate identity, joy, and community, and mourn their loved ones. Through generational teaching, parents and grandparents pass survival skills and cherished traditions to their offspring. This epic journey shows whales are far more complex—and more like us—than we ever imagined.
“If we can get people to invest emotionally in these animals, we can create solutions that will protect them.”
– Brian Skerry