Brian Skerry

Aliases: brian skerry
Role: Underwater photojournalist, conservationist, author, Nikon Ambassador
First appearance: 2002 ([1])
Affiliation: National Geographic (contract photographer since 1998); Nikon Ambassador (2015); National Geographic Photography Fellow (2014)

Biography

Brian Skerry is one of the world’s leading underwater photojournalists, best known for his long-running association with National Geographic Magazine. He has been a contract photographer for NGM since 1998 and by 2015 was working on his 24th story for the magazine, with 20 of those assignments originating from his own proposals ([2]). As of 2012, his work had also appeared in Sports Illustrated, US News and World Report, BBC Wildlife, GEO, Smithsonian, Esquire, Audubon, and Men’s Journal ([3]).

Skerry typically spends eight to nine months per year in the field, with a normal assignment lasting 10-12 weeks divided into two or three trips ([4]). He has logged more than 10,000 hours underwater over the course of his career. For a single story, he may shoot 60,000 to 70,000 frames; under his National Geographic contract, he must deliver everything in RAW format and is not permitted to delete any images — the picture editor reviews every single frame ([5], [6]). No post-processing is permitted by the photographer; corrections are made at the magazine with a technician, limited to color and contrast adjustments, and every published image is compared against the original RAW file before publication ([7]).

He has cited David Doubilet, Bill Curtsinger, Flip Nicklin, and Luis Marden as key inspirations for his underwater photography career, and is also greatly inspired by terrestrial wildlife photographers Jim Brandenburg, Nick Nichols, and Chris Johns ([8]).

Skerry is described as a friend and Wetpixel member by Eric Cheng, who noted Skerry’s personal connection to the Wetpixel community ([9]).

Working Method

Skerry’s approach to underwater photography is consciously journalistic and story-driven. He describes a successful photojournalist as someone who “must be able to tell stories with pictures” and “see the bigger picture” beyond making eye-catching images ([10]). He typically researches a subject for months or even years before submitting a proposal to National Geographic, reading extensively and consulting scientists and experts ([11]).

The National Geographic editorial process, as Skerry describes it, is highly collaborative. Once a story is approved by a committee of executive staff, the photographer is assigned a photo editor who becomes a partner in the process. The editor reviews all frames (30,000-40,000 on a typical story), and together they narrow the selection to approximately 40 images for presentation to the editor-in-chief. If approved, these are further refined to the 10-15 images that form the published story. The photographer has input throughout, but stories can be killed at any point in the process ([12], [13]).

Skerry primarily shoots Nikon, though he has used Canon on specific projects ([14]). He went digital for his National Geographic assignments in 2005, adopting the Nikon D2X ([15]).

Conservation Advocacy

Conservation is central to Skerry’s work. He has stated: “Photography can absolutely be a force for positive change! Human beings are visual creatures, our brains process events as still frames that remain in our minds. Stacks of scientific papers might prove that we’re facing a problem, but a single iconic photograph can move people into taking action” ([16]).

His conservation-related work includes:

He has identified climate change as perhaps the greatest threat to the oceans, noting effects including sea-level rise, coral bleaching, and acidification. He has also advocated for ending commercial fishing subsidies worldwide and creating more marine protected areas ([24]).

Books and Publications

His portfolio in Fathoms Magazine issue #18 (2006) featured alongside Eric Cheng and Ethan Gordon, with digital photography tips by Berkley White ([28]).

Competition Success

Major National Geographic Assignments

Speaking and Events

Honors and Recognition

Timeline

References


Sources

  1. Wetpixel article, Oct 8, 2002: Gates Howard Hall And Brian Skerry At Dema
  2. Wetpixel article, May 15, 2015: Interview Brian Skerry On Photographing Dolphins
  3. Wetpixel article, May 22, 2012: Book Review Ocean Soul By Brian Skerry
  4. Wetpixel article, May 22, 2012: Book Review Ocean Soul By Brian Skerry
  5. Wetpixel article, May 15, 2015: Interview Brian Skerry On Photographing Dolphins
  6. Wetpixel article, May 22, 2012: Book Review Ocean Soul By Brian Skerry
  7. Wetpixel article, May 22, 2012: Book Review Ocean Soul By Brian Skerry
  8. Wetpixel article, May 22, 2012: Book Review Ocean Soul By Brian Skerry
  9. Wetpixel article, Mar 17, 2007: National Geographic Global Fisheries Article
  10. Wetpixel article, May 22, 2012: Book Review Ocean Soul By Brian Skerry
  11. Wetpixel article, May 15, 2015: Interview Brian Skerry On Photographing Dolphins
  12. Wetpixel article, May 22, 2012: Book Review Ocean Soul By Brian Skerry
  13. Wetpixel article, May 15, 2015: Interview Brian Skerry On Photographing Dolphins
  14. Wetpixel article, May 22, 2012: Book Review Ocean Soul By Brian Skerry
  15. Wetpixel article, May 9, 2005: Dive With Brian Skerry Or Nubile Nymphs
  16. Wetpixel article, May 22, 2012: Book Review Ocean Soul By Brian Skerry
  17. Wetpixel article, Jun 30, 2010: Brian Skerry Reveals Oceans Glory And Horror At Ted
  18. Wetpixel article, Mar 17, 2007: National Geographic Global Fisheries Article
  19. Wetpixel article, Apr 18, 2007: Brian Skerry On 20 20 Global Fisheries Crises
  20. Wetpixel article, Oct 15, 2007: Bite Back 2008 Calendar For Marine Conservation
  21. Wetpixel article, Sep 18, 2013: Smithsonian Features Underwater Art
  22. Wetpixel article, May 20, 2016: National Geographic Launches Its Summer Of Sharks
  23. Wetpixel article, Sep 7, 2015: Video The Thin Blue Line
  24. Wetpixel article, May 22, 2012: Book Review Ocean Soul By Brian Skerry
  25. Wetpixel article, Oct 8, 2002: Gates Howard Hall And Brian Skerry At Dema
  26. Wetpixel article, May 22, 2012: Book Review Ocean Soul By Brian Skerry
  27. Wetpixel article, Apr 17, 2015: Brian Skerry Named As Nikon Ambassador
  28. Wetpixel article, Nov 11, 2006: Dema 2006 Fathoms Magazine
  29. Wetpixel article, Oct 30, 2008: Bbc Announces Winners Of 2008 Wildlife Photographer Of The Year
  30. Wetpixel article, Oct 21, 2010: Veolia Wildlife Photographer Of The Year Results Released
  31. Wetpixel article, Oct 19, 2017: Winners Wildlife Photographer Of The Year 2017
  32. Wetpixel article, Jan 9, 2012: Our World Underwater Deep Indonesia Judges Announced
  33. Wetpixel article, Dec 17, 2014: Our World Underwater Contest 2015 Is Open For Entries
  34. Wetpixel article, Feb 1, 2016: Call For Entries Bigpicture 2016
  35. Wetpixel article, Mar 17, 2007: National Geographic Global Fisheries Article
  36. Wetpixel article, Mar 17, 2007: National Geographic Global Fisheries Article
  37. Wetpixel article, Mar 12, 2008: Brian Skerry Japans Ocean Wilderness
  38. Wetpixel article, May 22, 2012: Book Review Ocean Soul By Brian Skerry
  39. Wetpixel article, Mar 3, 2014: Bluefin Tuna Underwater By Brian Skerry
  40. Wetpixel article, Apr 19, 2015: Article Brian Skerrys Dolphin Images From National Geographic
  41. Wetpixel article, May 15, 2015: Interview Brian Skerry On Photographing Dolphins
  42. Wetpixel article, May 20, 2016: National Geographic Launches Its Summer Of Sharks
  43. Wetpixel article, Jun 16, 2016: Video How Brian Skerry Got This Shot Of A Great White Off Cape Cod
  44. Wetpixel article, Jan 9, 2017: The First Underwater Photograph Of
  45. Wetpixel article, Dec 15, 2016: National Geographic Publishes Best Underwater Images Of 2016
  46. Wetpixel article, Dec 28, 2017: National Geographic Best Animal Photos Of 2017
  47. Wetpixel article, Mar 17, 2005: Boston Sea Rovers 51st Clinic 2005
  48. Wetpixel article, Mar 15, 2007: Boston Sea Rovers 53rd Clinic 2007
  49. Wetpixel article, May 31, 2012: Brian Skerry To Talk At Wildphotos 2012
  50. Wetpixel article, Dec 27, 2010: Details Of Adex 2011 Announced
  51. Wetpixel article, Oct 5, 2012: Photo Essay The Blue Festival 20121
  52. Wetpixel article, Apr 15, 2020: Nikon Creators Hour A Deep Dive With Brian Skerry
  53. Wetpixel article, May 27, 2008: Oceanic White Tip Shark Expedition Trip Report
  54. Wetpixel article, Apr 17, 2015: Brian Skerry Named As Nikon Ambassador
  55. Wetpixel article, Apr 17, 2015: Brian Skerry Named As Nikon Ambassador
  56. Wetpixel article, Jan 25, 2008: Brian Skerry Interviewed In American Photo Magazine
  57. Wetpixel article, Feb 15, 2012: Winter 2012 Issue Of Alert Diver Published
  58. Wetpixel article, Jan 9, 2017: The First Underwater Photograph Of
  59. Wetpixel article, Apr 8, 2013: Interview Joe Romeiro
  60. Wetpixel article, Jul 1, 2015: New Book Glass And Water By Mark Harris
  61. Wetpixel article, Feb 26, 2017: Interview With Marty Snyderman
  62. Wetpixel article, Oct 8, 2002: Gates Howard Hall And Brian Skerry At Dema
  63. Wetpixel article, Oct 4, 2004: Sensor Brush And Sensor Clean
  64. Wetpixel article, Mar 17, 2005: Boston Sea Rovers 51st Clinic 2005
  65. Wetpixel article, May 9, 2005: Dive With Brian Skerry Or Nubile Nymphs
  66. Wetpixel article, Nov 11, 2006: Dema 2006 Fathoms Magazine
  67. Wetpixel article, Mar 15, 2007: Boston Sea Rovers 53rd Clinic 2007
  68. Wetpixel article, Mar 17, 2007: National Geographic Global Fisheries Article
  69. Wetpixel article, Apr 18, 2007: Brian Skerry On 20 20 Global Fisheries Crises
  70. Wetpixel article, Jan 25, 2008: Brian Skerry Interviewed In American Photo Magazine
  71. Wetpixel article, Mar 12, 2008: Brian Skerry Japans Ocean Wilderness
  72. Wetpixel article, May 27, 2008: Oceanic White Tip Shark Expedition Trip Report
  73. Wetpixel article, Oct 30, 2008: Bbc Announces Winners Of 2008 Wildlife Photographer Of The Year
  74. Wetpixel article, Jun 30, 2010: Brian Skerry Reveals Oceans Glory And Horror At Ted
  75. Wetpixel article, Oct 21, 2010: Veolia Wildlife Photographer Of The Year Results Released
  76. Wetpixel article, Dec 27, 2010: Details Of Adex 2011 Announced
  77. Wetpixel article, May 22, 2012: Book Review Ocean Soul By Brian Skerry
  78. Wetpixel article, May 31, 2012: Brian Skerry To Talk At Wildphotos 2012
  79. Wetpixel article, Oct 5, 2012: Photo Essay The Blue Festival 20121
  80. Wetpixel article, Sep 18, 2013: Smithsonian Features Underwater Art
  81. Wetpixel article, Mar 3, 2014: Bluefin Tuna Underwater By Brian Skerry
  82. Wetpixel article, Apr 17, 2015: Brian Skerry Named As Nikon Ambassador
  83. Wetpixel article, Apr 17, 2015: Brian Skerry Named As Nikon Ambassador
  84. Wetpixel article, May 15, 2015: Interview Brian Skerry On Photographing Dolphins
  85. Wetpixel article, Apr 19, 2015: Article Brian Skerrys Dolphin Images From National Geographic
  86. Wetpixel article, May 20, 2016: National Geographic Launches Its Summer Of Sharks
  87. Wetpixel article, Jun 16, 2016: Video How Brian Skerry Got This Shot Of A Great White Off Cape Cod
  88. Wetpixel article, Jan 9, 2017: The First Underwater Photograph Of
  89. Wetpixel article, Oct 19, 2017: Winners Wildlife Photographer Of The Year 2017
  90. Wetpixel article, Apr 15, 2020: Nikon Creators Hour A Deep Dive With Brian Skerry
  91. Gates - Howard Hall and Brian Skerry, at DEMA (article)
  92. DEMA 2002 Report (article)
  93. Sensor Brush and Sensor Clean (article)
  94. Boston Sea Rovers 51st Clinic 2005 (article)
  95. Dive with Brian Skerry (article)
  96. DEMA 2006: Fathoms Magazine (article)
  97. Boston Sea Rovers 53rd Clinic 2007 (article)
  98. National Geographic Global Fisheries article (article)
  99. Brian Skerry on 20/20, global fisheries crises (article)
  100. Brian Skerry interviewed in American Photo Magazine (article)
  101. Brian Skerry: Japan’s Ocean Wilderness (article)
  102. Oceanic white-tip shark expedition trip report (article)
  103. BBC announces winners of 2008 Wildlife Photographer of the Year (article)
  104. Brian Skerry reveals ocean’s glory and horror at TED (article)
  105. Veolia Wildlife Photographer of the Year results released (article)
  106. Details of ADEX 2011 announced (article)
  107. Book Review: Ocean Soul by Brian Skerry (article)
  108. Brian Skerry to talk at WildPhotos 2012 (article)
  109. Photo essay: The BLUE Ocean Film Festival 2012 (article)
  110. Winter 2012 issue of Alert Diver published (article)
  111. Smithsonian features underwater art (article)
  112. Bluefin Tuna underwater by Brian Skerry (article)
  113. Interview: Joe Romeiro (article)
  114. Interview with Marty Snyderman (article)
  115. Brian Skerry named as Nikon Ambassador (article)
  116. Article: Brian Skerry’s dolphin images from National Geographic (article)
  117. Interview: Brian Skerry on photographing dolphins (article)
  118. National Geographic launches its Summer of Sharks (article)
  119. Video: How Brian Skerry got this shot of a great white off Cape Cod (article)
  120. National Geographic publishes best underwater images of 2016 (article)
  121. The first underwater photograph of a US president (article)
  122. Winners: Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2017 (article)
  123. National Geographic Best Animal Photos of 2017 (article)
  124. Nikon Creators Hour: A deep dive with Brian Skerry (article)