Brian Skerry Explained

Brian Skerry
Birth Place:Milford, Massachusetts
Occupation:
Education:B.A. in Media and Communications
Alma Mater:Worcester State College
Employer:Freelancer
Notable Works:Secrets of the Whales
Known For:National Geographic photography

Brian Skerry is an American photojournalist and film producer specializing in marine life and ocean environments. Since 1998 he has been a contributing photographer for National Geographic magazine with more than 30 stories to his credit, including seven covers. In 2021 Skerry won a Primetime Emmy Award for his role as producer in the miniseries, Secrets of the Whales.

Early life and education

Skerry was born in Milford, Massachusetts in 1961, and grew up in Uxbridge.[1] Skerry began SCUBA diving in 1977, at 15 years old and received his first SCUBA certification in 1978. He has stated that he was drawn to the water from a very young age and was always fascinated by ocean documentaries, along with the movies Jaws (1975) and The Deep (1977)[2]

After studying at Quinsigamond Community College, where he earned an associate degree in Liberal Arts,[3] he went on to Worcester State College earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications Media in 1984.[4]

Career

Skerry worked on a diving charter boat based on the coast of Rhode Island from 1982 - 1992, taking divers out to explore New England shipwrecks.[5] His early photography focused on marine life and shipwrecks. His first published photograph was in 1984 in The Boston Globe newspaper, an image of a shipwreck in Boston Harbor.[6] During the 1990s he published photos and wrote stories for a variety of scuba diving magazines.[7] His first book was published in 1995, Complete Wreck Diving, with co-author Henry Keatts.[8] In 1996 he was the first to photograph a living Oarfish, an animal that inspired sea serpent legends.[9] In 2015 Skerry was named a Nikon Ambassador (United States).[10]

National Geographic

In 1998 Skerry received his first assignment for National Geographic. In a 2021 article in The Maine Magazine, Skerry recalls Bill Curtsinger, one of the first underwater photographers, turning down a National Geographic magazine photo shoot of the 1717 pirate shipwreck Whydah Gally, buried in the sand off Cape Cod. Curtsinger turned down the job due to a scheduling conflict but put in a good word for Skerry, who in turn, took the story assignment.[11] Skerry had his photos published in the May 1999 edition of National Geographic.[12]

Skerry has been credited with more than 30 stories for National Geographic,[13] including seven on the front cover of the magazine. The subjects of his stories have included species such as harp seals, squid,[14] right whales,[15] Leatherback sea turtles,[16] bluefin tuna,[17] dolphins and coral reefs.[18] Other stories have featured locations such as the Southern Line Islands,[19] Ireland,[20] Marine reserves of New Zealand, the Phoenix Islands,[21] Japan,[22] the Mesoamerican Reef,[23] and in his home state, the Gulf of Maine.

In 2016 National Geographic published three consecutive stories photographed by Skerry about sharks.[24] [25] [26] While on assignment for National Geographic on September 1, 2016, he photographed U.S. President Barack Obama snorkeling in the waters off Midway Atoll in the Pacific Ocean, which lies within the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument.[27] It was the first photograph ever taken of a President of the United States underwater.[28]

Secrets of the Whales

See main article: Secrets of the Whales.

Secrets of the Whales was a multi-platform project Skerry created for National Geographic in 2017 about the science of whale culture. He credits the work of Canadian whale biologist Shane Gero as his inspiration for this project.[29] Skerry proposed the project to National Geographic magazine, National Geographic Television and National Geographic Books and each division approved their respective project.[30]

The cover story in National Geographic magazine appeared in the May 2021 issue, written by Craig Welch and photographed by Skerry. A book was published in April 2021 by National Geographic Books with the same name, written and photographed by Skerry.[31] The four part miniseries, executive produced by James Cameron and narrated by Sigourney Weaver, premiered April 22, 2021, on Disney+. Skerry produced and starred in the miniseries, as well as providing underwater cinematography.[32]

The documentary series was nominated for three Primetime Emmy Awards by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. On September 19, 2021 the miniseries was a winner in the category Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series which was awarded to Skerry and the producers of the show. The film was also nominated for two awards from the Online Film & Television Association for best narration and Best Cinematography in a Variety, Sketch, Nonfiction, or Reality Program.[33] At the Jackson Wild 2021 Media Awards Secrets of the Whales was awarded Winner: Limited Series[34] and at the 2021 Environmental Film Festival in the Nation's Capital, Skerry was awarded the Shared Earth Foundation Award for Advocacy.[35]

PBS

Sea Change: The Gulf of Maine

See main article: Sea Change: The Gulf of Maine.

Sea Change: The Gulf of Maine ia a PBS NOVA special presentation, with Skerry as the concept creator. The miniseries is written and directed by filmmakers Chun-Wei Yi and Stella Cha and produced by Skerry and John Bredar, the vice president of national programming at GBH. The first of three episodes will debut on PBS and online July 24,2024.[36]

Sea Change intertwines science, exploration, natural history, and tales of human experiences to illustrate potential global implications of events in the Gulf of Maine. The three-part series allows viewers to witness the remarkable wilderness and wildlife that thrive in these waters. Additionally, it documents the diverse range of people, including scientists, Native Americans, fishers, and entrepreneurs, who are striving to uncover the Gulf's complex history and understand the ocean's role in all of our lives.[37]

Conservation

In 2012 Skerry partnered with the Conservation Law Foundation in Boston to create The New England Ocean Odyssey.[38]

Skerry lectures on issues of visual storytelling and ocean conservation and exploration, having presented at venues including 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.[39] He's been a guest on several television programs including CBS This Morning,[40] Nightline,[41] Anderson Cooper Full Circle[42] and is a frequent guest on radio shows and podcasts.[43]

Skerry is a Founding Fellow of the International League of Conservation Photographers,[44] and the Explorer-In-Residence at the New England Aquarium.[45]

Awards and recognition

Secrets of the Whales

Awards for the miniseries, Secrets of the Whales for which Skerry was a Producer.

Exhibitions

Bibliography

National Geographic cover stories

Skerry has seven published photographs on the cover of National Geographic.

#TitleYear About Location
Harp SealsHarp seals Canada
The Global Fish Crisis: Still WatersCommercial, Industrial overfishing Global
The Global Fish Crisis: Blue HavenMarine reserves of New Zealand New Zealand
It's Time for a ConversationDolphin cognition Global
Saving the Seas
  • President Obama
Secrets of the WhalesWhale culture Global
2021 The Year in PicturesGrey sealNew England
Gulf of MaineGulf of MaineNew England and Canada

Books

#TitleYear Author PublisherISBN
Complete Wreck Diving: A Guide to Diving WrecksSkerry, Brian; Keatts, HenryAqua Quest Publications
A Whale On Her Own: The True Story of Wilma the Beluga WhaleSkerry, BrianBlackbirch Press
Successful Underwater PhotographySkerry, Brian; Hall, HowardAmphoto Books
Adventure Beneath the Sea: Living in an Underwater Science Station
  • Skerry, Brian;
  • Mallory, Kenneth
Boyds Mills Press
Face to Face With ManateesSkerry, BrianNational Geographic Books
Ocean SoulSkerry, BrianNational Geographic Books
From Above And Below: Man And The SeaThames & Hudson
Ocean CountingSkerry, Brian; Lawless, JanetNational Geographic Books
The Whale Who Won Hearts
  • Skerry, Brian;
  • Zoehfeld, Kathleen Weidner
National Geographic Books
SharkSkerry, BrianNational Geographic Books
The Ultimate Book of Sharks
  • Skerry, Brian;
  • Carney, Elizabeth;
  • Flynn, Sarah Wassner
National Geographic Books
Secrets of the WhalesSkerry, BrianNational Geographic Books

Film, Television and video

TitleYear Format Distributor About Role Awards
Hitler's lost subStreamingPBSGerman U-boatVideographer
Close Encounters of the Giant KindStreamingNat Geo ChannelRight whaleSelf
A Magical Day with a Right WhaleStreamingNat Geo ChannelSouthern right whaleSelf
The Amazing SquidStreamingNat Geo ChannelCaribbean reef squidSelf
The Mermaid MythStreamingNat Geo ChannelManateesSelf
Brian Skerry: Ocean SoulStreamingNat Geo ChannelMarine lifeSelf
Why great white sharks are a mystery to scientistsNews mediaCBS MorningsGreat white sharksSelf
BluefinDocumentaryFilm Board of CanadaBluefin tunaSelf
Sea of HopeDocumentaryNat Geo ChannelWorld's oceansSelf
Mission Critical: Sharks Under AttackDocumentaryNat Geo ChannelSharksSelf
Shark EdanDocumentaryNat Geo ChannelSharksSelf
The Ocean's Glory - and HorrorStreamingTEDUnderwater photographySelf
Brian Skerry showcases life under the seaNews mediaCBS MorningsNew England AquariumSelf
Secrets of the WhalesMiniseriesWhales[63]
Return of the White SharkDocumentaryNational Geographic channel & Disney+Great white sharksProducer
Television documentaryPBS NovaGulf of Maine

Notes

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b.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Fletcher, Allen. Brian Skerry. Worcester Magazine. Worcester, MA. 2010-06-03. 6 November 2011. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120504021340/http://www.worcestermag.com/speak-out/two-minutes/95546584.html. 4 May 2012.
  2. Web site: 10 Questions with Brian Skerry . . . divedui.com . 9 December 2022.
  3. Web site: Who Are Quinsigamond Community College's Most Influential Alumni? . academicinfluence.com . 12 December 2022.
  4. Web site: Alumni Profiles: Brian J. Skerry '84 . . . . 12 December 2022.
  5. Web site: Brian Skerry: Revealing the 'Secrets of the Whales' . https://web.archive.org/web/20210406211421/https://www.nationalgeographic.com/impact/article/brian-skerry-secrets-of-the-whales . dead . April 6, 2021 . . 25 March 2021 . nationalgeographic.com . . 9 December 2022.
  6. News: Taking a Dive Into History . Arnold . David . 20 July 1984 . . . 9 December 2022.
  7. News: National Geographic's Brian Skerry to talk 'connecting the dots' with underwater photography . Powell . Kelly . 3 July 2017 . The Chautauqua Daily . 9 December 2022.
  8. Book: Complete Wreck Diving Guide: A Guide to Diving Wrecks . Keatts . Hank . Skerry . Brian . Brian Skerry . 1995 . Aqua Quest Publications, Incorporated . 978-1-88165-230-4.
  9. Web site: Oarfish Origins and a Very (Un)Lickly Sea Serpent . Shuker . karl . 26 December 2014 . 9 December 2022.
  10. News: Brian Skerry . nikonusa.com . 9 December 2022.
  11. Web site: The Maine Man Capturing the World's Oceans . 26 October 2022 . Fiorentino . Anna . The Maine Magazine . May 2021.
  12. Webster . Donovan . Donovan Webster . May 1999 . Pirates of the Whydah . 195 . 5 . 64 . . . . 6 December 2022 . Photographs by Brian Skerry.
  13. The Ocean Evangelist: Underwater Photographer Brian Skerry . 4 January 2023 . March 2021 . Allen . Mel . Skerry . Brian . Yankee.
  14. Hanlon . Roger . August 2004 . Squid . 206 . 2 . 30 . . . . 8 December 2022 . Photographs by Brian Skerry.
  15. Chadwick . Douglas H. . Douglas H. Chadwick . October 2008 . Right Whale Watch . 214 . 4 . 100 . . . . 6 December 2022 . Photographs by Brian Skerry.
  16. Appennzeller . Tim . May 2009 . Leatherback Turtle . 215 . 5 . 122 . . . . 6 December 2022 . Photographs by Brian Skerry.
  17. Brower . Kenneth . Kenneth Brower . March 2014 . Quicksilver Tuna . 225 . 3 . 66 . . . . 6 December 2022 . Photographs by Brian Skerry.
  18. Warne . Kennedy . July 2008 . Kingman Reef . 214 . 1 . 144 . . . . 6 December 2022 . Photographs by Brian Skerry.
  19. Warne . Kennedy . September 2014 . A World Apart . 226 . 3 . 114 . . . . 6 December 2022 . Photographs by Brian Skerry.
  20. Eeckhout . Peter . March 2005 . Underneath Ireland . 207 . 3 . 58 . . . . 6 December 2022 . Photographs by Brian Skerry.
  21. Stone . Gregory G. . Gregory S. Stone . January 2011 . Phoenix Islands Island . 219 . 1 . 70 . . . . 6 December 2022 . Photographs by Brian Skerry.
  22. Berwald . Juli . Juli Berwald . November 2010 . 3 Degrees of Japan's Seas . 218 . 5 . 90 . . . . 6 December 2022 . Photographs by Brian Skerry.
  23. Skerry . Brian . Brian Skerry . October 2012 . Amazing Mesoamerican Reef . 222 . 4 . 92 . . . . 6 December 2022 . Photographs by Brian Skerry.
  24. Hodges . Glen . June 2016 . Swimming with Tigers . 229 . 6 . 82 . . . . 6 December 2022 . Photographs by Brian Skerry.
  25. Vance . Erik . July 2016 . Great White Mystery . 230 . 1 . 84 . . . . 6 December 2022 . Photographs by Brian Skerry.
  26. Hodges . Glen . August 2016 . The Shipwreck Shark . 230 . 2 . 112 . . . . 6 December 2022 . Photographs by Brian Skerry.
  27. Barnett . Cynthia . Cynthia Barnett . February 2017 . Saving the Seals . 231 . 2 . 54 . . . . 6 December 2022 . Photographs by Brian Skerry.
  28. Web site: Secrets of the Whales - Exclusive Virtual World Premiere . . 2021 . . 11 December 2022.
  29. News: The Deepest Dive to Find the Secrets of the Whales . . 22 April 2021 . Amer . Pakinam . 4 January 2023.
  30. News: . Exclusive: 'Secrets of the Whales' creator Brian Skerry on filming his stunning new docu-series for Nat Geo . Spry . Jeff . 22 April 2021 . 4 January 2023 .
  31. Book: Skerry, Brian . Brian Skerry . 2021 . Secrets of the Whales . . . 978-1-42622-187-3.
  32. James Cameron, Sigourney Weaver, Brian Skerry . 2021 . Secrets of the Whales . 14 December 2022 . . .
  33. Web site: 25th Annual TV Awards (2020-21) - Online Film & Television Association . oftaawards.com . 14 December 2022.
  34. Web site: 2021 Media Awards . 4 January 2023 . 2021 . . Jackson Wild.
  35. Web site: Shared Earth Foundation Award . . 2021 . 4 January 2023 . Environmental Film Festival in the Nation's Capital.
  36. Web site: The Gulf of Maine: Canary in a Coal Mine . Munichiello . Katrina . wgbh.org . . June 19, 2024.
  37. Web site: Acclaimed Ocean Photographer Brian Skerry Documents Climate Change Impact on the Gulf of Maine . . June 6, 2024 . thefutoncritic.com . June 15, 2024.
  38. Web site: New England ocean Odyssey: a journey beneath New England's waves . 22 June 2012 . . . 9 December 2022.
  39. Web site: Brian Skerry . . . worldwildlife.org . 9 December 2022.
  40. Web site: . Why great white sharks are a mystery to scientists . 14 December 2022 . YouTube.
  41. News: In 'Secrets of the Whales,' an intimate look at the titans of the deep blue sea . . 23 April 2021 . . 4 January 2023.
  42. News: National Geographic photographer on discovering the secrets of whales . . 2021 . 4 January 2023 . .
  43. Brian Skerry: Through the Lens of a Nat Geo Underwater Photographer. . .
  44. Web site: Brian Skerry . conservationphotographers.org . 9 December 2022.
  45. Web site: Aquarium presents virtual lecture on the hidden culture of whales, featuring National Geographic photographer Brian Skerry . 9 December 2022 . 2021.
  46. Web site: Summer Institute Speakers . . 2022 . coa.edu . . . 18 January 2023.
  47. Web site: 2005 . Second place . . 9 December 2022 . .
  48. Web site: 2009 . Second Place . . 9 December 2022 . .
  49. Web site: 2009 . Third Place . . 9 December 2022 . .
  50. Web site: 2009 . Award Of Excellence . . 9 December 2022 . .
  51. Web site: 2009 . Award Of Excellence . . 9 December 2022 . .
  52. Web site: Honorees . . 2012 . peterbenchleyoceanawards.org . 9 December 2022.
  53. Web site: . 17 January 2017 . Brian Skerry Wins Photographer's Photographer Award . The Photo Society . . 16 January 2023.
  54. Edmonds . Patricia . July 2017 . Explorer Honor to Brian Skerry . 232 . 1 . D4 . . . . 6 December 2022 . Photographs by Brian Skerry.
  55. Academy of Underwater Arts & Sciences Announces 2019 NOGI Award Recipients . . 27 January 2019 . California Diver . 15 January 2023.
  56. Web site: Commencement - Worcester State University . Gonzalez . Jane . 2022 . readkong.com . 15 January 2023.
  57. Web site: . 1 January 2012 . Where to Play on the Weekdays: January 2–6 . . 15 January 2023.
  58. Web site: Underwater Photography of Brian Skerry . 9 December 2022.
  59. Web site: 3 March 2014 . United States Mission Geneva . 9 December 2022.
  60. News: Alexandra . Wolfe . 30 June 2017 . Swimming With the Sharks . . 15 January 2023.
  61. News: Fidler . Matt . 27 August 2021 . Perpignan's Festival of Photojournalism 2021 – in pictures . The Guardian . 15 December 2022.
  62. Web site: Free Outdoor Exhibitions To See In Paris Right Now . Tyson . Mary . October 20, 2023 . parisbeacon.com . Paris beacon . October 23, 2023 . 5. Planet Ocean: Free Exhibition by Yann Arthus-Bertrand and Brian Skerry at Bercy Village.
  63. Web site: Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series . . 7 December 2022 . 2021 . Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.