PHOTOGRAPHY BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA "Art, to me, is the embodiment of emotion; if a work stirs something within, it has already claimed its place as art. Yet, when a piece resonates with a universal truth, transcending age, gender, culture, and even the boundaries of species, it ascends to the realm of fine art." - Paul Nicklen Paul Nicklen is a Canadian marine biologist, photographer, and filmmaker who has spent over three decades documenting both the majesty and vulnerability of our planet. He often reflects that while capturing nature in its most graceful and dignified moments is meaningful, the true power of photography lies in its ability to raise awareness of the environmental crisis and inspire individuals to take action—no matter how small. Nicklen’s approach to documentary photography is deeply personal and instinctive, rooted in a childhood shaped by the natural world. His images are known for their ability to forge an emotional bond between viewer and subject, often portraying wildlife in some of the planet’s harshest, most remote environments. His work invites us beneath the ocean’s surface—an ecosystem few ever see—reminding us of the urgency to protect these fragile marine worlds as the climate crisis intensifies.In 2014, Nicklen co-founded SeaLegacy, a non-profit collective of storytellers dedicated to ocean conservation. Through powerful visual narratives, SeaLegacy mobilizes global audiences to advocate for threatened ecosystems and to inspire hope and action in the face of environmental degradation. Nicklen is a Sony Artisan of Imagery and collaborates with Rolex as part of their Perpetual Planet initiative. His efforts to spotlight climate change through photography have earned him numerous honors. In 2019, the University of Victoria—his alma mater—awarded him an honorary PhD in recognition of his lifelong commitment to conservation. He was also granted an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts from Simon Fraser University in 2022. Throughout his career, Nicklen has received over 30 of the world’s most esteemed accolades in conservation and photojournalism, including BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year and World Press Photo. He was the youngest inductee into the International Photography Hall of Fame in 2019 and is a recipient of the Order of Canada. Yet, he often says he would gladly trade all those awards for one photograph that could truly change the world. His work has been exhibited globally, with shows at Hilton Asmus Contemporary (Chicago), Lyons Gallery (Australia), Galerie Gadcollection (Paris), Eisele Gallery (Cincinnati), and Fineart Oslo (Norway). His collectors include celebrated figures from film, music, and even royalty.