Greg Lecoeur
Greg Lecoeur is an internationally acclaimed wildlife photographer known for his poetic underwater imagery and devotion to ocean conservation. His award-winning work has been published in National Geographic, GEO, Le Figaro, and more.
Originally from Nice, France, Greg began diving and exploring marine life at an early age. Named National Geographic’s Nature Photographer of the Year in 2016 for his iconic “Sardine Run” image, he now travels the globe capturing extraordinary marine species and using photography to inspire awareness, reflection, and action for the world’s oceans.
Greg Lecoeur’s photography blends technical excellence with emotional resonance, revealing the beauty and vulnerability of the underwater world. From the icy waters of Antarctica to the tropical ecosystems of the Galápagos, his expeditions take him to the planet’s most remote marine habitats. Each image is a carefully crafted encounter — a moment suspended in the depths, capturing the delicate balance of marine ecosystems. His work spans wide-ranging themes, including cetacean migration, coral reef health, and oceanic predators, offering both scientific insight and visual wonder.
Inspired in childhood by Jacques Cousteau and marine stories like The Big Blue, Greg turned away from a business career and professional football after a transformative encounter with pilot whales off the coast of Nice. That moment led him to photography — and to a lifelong mission to protect the ocean. His images have earned global recognition in competitions, including Wildlife Photographer of the Year, Ocean Geographic, and Big Picture. Through exhibitions, books, and public talks, he connects people to the mysteries of the sea, fostering awareness and urgent dialogue around marine conservation. In 2018, he joined the National Geographic Image Collection.
While Greg’s work spans oceans worldwide, the Mediterranean Sea remains his deepest passion. This nearly enclosed body of water, rich in biodiversity and deeply personal to him, is the focus of his most recent projects. Through his NGO We Are Méditerranée, Greg documents marine life and environmental challenges in the region — from sea turtles and dolphins to sharks and whales — spotlighting the often-overlooked ecosystems along Europe’s southern coastlines. His latest initiative, Expédition Pelagos, explores the Pelagos Sanctuary, a transnational marine protected area dedicated to the conservation of cetaceans and their habitats.
Whether speaking at conferences, curating exhibitions, or publishing books, Greg uses photography as a bridge between science and storytelling. He believes in the power of images to evoke empathy and drive change — each frame a visual call to reconnect with nature and act to preserve it. Author of six books, he is committed to making marine conservation accessible, especially to younger generations. For Greg, the sea is not just a subject but a lifelong companion — a place of beauty, fragility, and urgent importance. Through his lens, the ocean becomes both muse and message.
