Tiger Shark and Brian Skerry; Bahamas (Photo: Brian Skerry)
More than 100 million sharks are killed each year, primarily for their fins. National Geographic photographer Brian Skerry has gone to extraordinary lengths to document why we should both protect them and respect and appreciate sharks as integral species in our ecosystem.
His body of work showcasing the impressive fish is now on view in an exhibition titled Sharks at the National Geographic Museum. Skerry reveals how he captured his amazing images and shares stories of witnessing some of the most beautiful, diverse, and threatened ocean ecosystems on the planet.
Skerry is an award-winning photojournalist specializing in marine wildlife and underwater environments. Since 1998 he has been a contract photographer for National Geographic magazine, covering a wide range of subjects and stories. His images celebrate the mystery and beauty of the sea, as well as help bring attention to issues that endanger our oceans and their inhabitants.
Smithsonian Connections
"My goal is to make pictures that stay with people for a lifetime," Brian Skerry told Smithsonian.com in a conversation centering on a 2013 exhibition of his photos at the Natural History Museum. Learn how Skerry works toward that goal, as well as the challenges and rewards of a career as an ocean photographer in this interview.
