Brian Skerry Speaking Fee: $10,000 to $20,000

Brian Skerry is a photojournalist and film producer specializing in marine wildlife and underwater environments. Since 1998, he has been a contributing photographer for National Geographic Magazine, covering stories on every continent and in nearly every ocean habitat. His work has also been featured in publications such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, Paris Match, Esquire, and Audubon. In 2014, he was named a National Geographic Society Photography Fellow and then named a National Geographic Society Storytelling Fellow in 2017. In 2017, he was awarded the title of Rolex National Geographic Explorer of the Year. In 2016, he received the National Geographic Magazine Photographer’s Photographer Award, an honor bestowed by his colleagues, other National Geographic Magazine photographers. In 2019, he received the NOGI Award for Arts. In 2021, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate Degree by Worcester State University in Massachusetts. Brian is the author of 12 books, including the acclaimed monographs Ocean Soul, SHARK, and Secrets of the Whales. His latest book, Secrets of the Whales, was released in April 2021 by National Geographic as part of a multi-platform project he created that includes a cover story in National Geographic magazine and a 4-part documentary film series, streaming on Disney+, which he produced and that won the 2021 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Documentary. Brian frequently lectures on ocean exploration, storytelling, and conservation, having presented at venues such as The United Nations General Assembly, The World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, TED Talks, The National Press Club in Washington, DC, The Royal Geographical Society in London, and the Sydney Opera House in Australia. He is the Explorer-In-Residence and a Trustee at the New England Aquarium, a founding member of the International League of Conservation Photographers, and a Fellow National of The Explorers Club. He also serves as a Nikon Ambassador. After three decades of exploring the world’s oceans, Skerry continues to pursue stories that will increase awareness about the sea. “The oceans are in trouble. There are some serious problems out there that I believe are not clear to many people. My hope is to continually find new ways of creating images and stories that both celebrate the sea yet also highlight environmental problems. Photography can be a powerful instrument for change.”