Brian Skerry: Can powerful images save our oceans?

We are kicking off the season with the unstoppable Brian Skerry.  Brian is a world renown photojournalist and film producer specializing in marine wildlife and underwater environments. He has won the prestigious Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition no less than ELEVEN TIMES. He is a National Geographic Society Storytelling Fellow and author of a dozen books.Brian’s 2021 book, Secrets of the Whales, was released by National Geographic as part of a multi-platform project that included an Emmy Award winning 4-part documentary film series directed by none other than James Cameron. 

In this episode we discuss:

• Why were you drawn to the ocean as a subject?
• Tell me about your entrepreneurial journey frpm entepreneurial journey from kid wiht a camera to getting his first photo published in his 30s to the meteoric rise to become National Geographic phtographer.  
• When did you pivot to focus from showing us the cool animals - to showing us the changes in their environment and becoming a voice for them. 
  Why is telling the story of the sea such an important mission - and why now?
• How has the ocean environment changed since you started? Are these changes statistics or are they palpable and if so in what ways.
• Tell me one of the most beautiful underwater creatures you’ve seen - and how is it affected by changes.
  Have you ever had a scary underwater experience? 
  How do the sea creatures react to you? - There are increasing numbers of people in the ocean as well as on it. How do we balance the desire for people to explore and become champions of the ocean through experience with the desire to protect the ocean?
• How has technology impacted way you work?
• There are so many issues facing the ocean right now. We talk about pollution, overfishing, carbon emissions, biodiversity, warming water etc. What do you think is the most vital issue facing the ocean? What should entrepreneurs be focusing on?
• There is growing attention on the water - do you think we are focused on the right issues? How do you hope to shape that conversation?
• If you weren’t a photographer of the sea, what would you be taking photos of?
• What are you working on now that we should be looking out for.
• Are you optimistic about the future and our ability to stay ahead of climate pressures?
• Any advice for nature focused entrepreneurs or artists today?

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