Diving Legends · Prelaunch Preview
Brian Skerry
Underwater Photojournalist, Filmmaker & Ocean Storyteller
Brian Skerry’s photographs are built through time: waiting, returning and learning enough about an animal’s world for a story to emerge. Across magazine assignments, books and documentary films, he has used that patience to create unusually intimate views of whales, sharks, seals and the habitats that sustain them.
Career
A National Geographic contributor since 1998 whose photographs, books, films and lectures use intimate wildlife stories to make the ocean understandable and worth protecting.
Signature Contributions
- Created more than 30 National Geographic feature stories, including seven cover stories.
- Produced and photographed landmark marine-wildlife projects including Secrets of the Whales.
- Built a body of books, films and public presentations that joins natural history with conservation.
Timeline
1998 · National Geographic contributor
Began the long-running magazine relationship that produced more than 30 feature stories and seven covers.
2014 · National Geographic Photography Fellow
Recognized for a sustained body of underwater visual journalism.
2017 · Storytelling Fellow and Explorer of the Year
Became a National Geographic Storytelling Fellow and received the Rolex National Geographic Explorer of the Year title.
2019 · NOGI Award for Arts
Honored by the Academy of Underwater Arts and Sciences for contribution to underwater visual storytelling.
2021 · Secrets of the Whales
Received a Primetime Emmy as a producer of the documentary series and published the companion book.
2025 · Outstanding Nature Photographer
Named Outstanding Nature Photographer of the Year by the North American Nature Photography Association.
Media Work
Producer and photographer for Secrets of the Whales and other documentary projects; creator of more than 30 National Geographic features.