Biography
Paul Nicklen is a Canadian photographer, filmmaker, and marine biologist who has documented the beauty and the plight of our planet for over twenty years. As an assignment photographer for National Geographic magazine and Sony Artisan of Imagery, Nicklen captures the imagination of a global audience.
Nicklen is uniquely qualified to create his brand of documentary photography which informs and creates an emotional connection with wild subjects in extreme conditions. His work delivers audiences to an underwater realm witnessed by few. Nicklen’s sensitive and evocative imagery has garnered over 30 of the highest awards given to any photographer in his field, including the BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year and the prestigious World Press Photo for Photojournalism.
He is equally recognized by the conservation community for his outspoken work, and has been awarded the Natural Resources Defense Council BioGems Visionary Award. Most recently, Nicklen was bestowed an honorary PhD at the University of Victoria, for the impact his photography has had on climate change.
In addition to being one of the world’s most acclaimed nature photographers, Nicklen is a sought-after speaker, author, and National Geographic Fellow, who has shared stories from his adventures in several TED Talks. In the past two decades, Paul has collaborated with scientists, filmmakers, conservationists and explorers to create awareness and inspire action for global issues like climate change.
As a co-founder of the non-profit, SeaLegacy, Paul Nicklen is opening a fresh, progressive chapter in the story of ocean conservation. Through visual storytelling, Sea Legacy inspires millions of people to stand up and have a voice for the pristine places threatened by climate change.
Speaking
Paul Nicklen lives a life of art, purpose and adventure, combining a career as an assignment photographer for National Geographic Magazine and founder of his own conservation society, SeaLegacy. In addition to being one of the world’s most acclaimed nature photographers, Paul is an acclaimed polar specialist, speaker, author, conservationist, National Geographic Fellow, and a regular contributor to National Geographic Magazine with 20 completed stories to date. He has garnered more than 30 of the highest awards given to any photographer in his field, including the BBC Wildlife Photographer of the year and the prestigious World Press Photo for photojournalism. Paul has written several books including Seasons of the Arctic, Bear, Spirit of the Wild, Polar Obsession and his newest monograph, Born to Ice.
Awards & Achievements
World Press Photo Award 2013
First Prize, Nature Stories
Read More
Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2012
Veolia Environment
BBC Wildlife and Natural History Museum
Read More
Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2012
15 Prizes
Natural History Museum and BBC Wildlife
Read More
BioGems Visionary Award 2012
for Arctic Photography
Read More
World Press Photo Award 2010
First Prize, Nature Stories
Read More
Award of Excellence 2010
Pictures of the Year International Competition
“Resurrection Island”
Read More
Award of Excellence 2009
Pictures of the Year – International Competition
“Svalbard Norway- The High Arctic at Risk”
Read More
World Press Photo Award 2008
Second Prize
Read More
World Press Photo Award 2007
First Prize, Nature Stories
Read More
World Press Photo Award 2004
First Prize, Nature Stories
Read More
Lifetime Achievement Award
University of Victoria, British Colombia
Honorary Doctor of Science from University of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
I am proud to have spoken at the TED Conference and TEDx Midwest in Chicago. I have given lectures to influential people and organizations that include Jimmy Carter, Al Gore, Madeleine Albright, the president of Iceland, Richard Branson, Google, Fortune 500 Green and countless other events. I am also very thankful to have been welcomed into the International Photography Hall of Fame as a 2019 inductee.
SeaLegacy
Paul Nicklen and his partner Cristina Mittermeier, founded SeaLegacy to change the narrative around our world’s oceans and show the global community what is at stake, rally soldiers of support—and ignite real and lasting change.