About Nicolas Winkler

I am a photographer and videographer specializing in editorial, natural history and scientific storytelling visuals for the research, academic, non-profit and film sectors. I also offer specialized storytelling services for the field, ocean and coastal environments.

A graduate from the University of Plymouth with a First Class (Hons) BSc in Marine Biology and the University of East Anglia MA in International Development in the UK, I also hold a Master of Marine Management from Dalhousie University in Canada. My research experience includes sea turtle health and conservation, biological surveys, macroalgal studies, post-disaster livelihood resilience in small-scale fisheries and risk-taking in compressed air harvesting of marine resources.

To commission work or license content please contact nic@nicolaswinkler.com

My unique qualifications and experiences allow me to effectively understand your mission objectives and generate relevant, impactful visual solutions. Familiarity with working in complex and dynamic settings, enables me to approach problems proactively with minimal impact to workflow processes.

I am an accomplished aquanaut, with over 25 years of experience that spans competitive freediving, open-circuit scuba and technical closed-circuit rebreathers. I continually build on this foundation with continuing education as well as adapting the leading edge thinking in dive processes and procedures.

I bring unparalleled diving expertise and know-how with a focus on risk-based dive mission planning for even the most challenging visual projects.

 

Photography quickly took up a vital place in early my adult life when I appreciated its ability to tell the stories of the natural and underwater world around me, particularly as I ventured into conservation work. When equipment was available, it became a tool to record and measure change, share perspectives on often difficult to capture subjects in the field and underwater. These experiences have remained a central theme to the way I see and share the world around me.

 

Growing up and working in the Caribbean, Europe, and Canada has given me a deep appreciation for the range of backgrounds and experiences that stake- and rights-holders may bring to a project. These lived experiences are borne of, and benefit my ocean-related work which has ranged from research to community conservation to management and policy.

My unique skill set is informed and shaped by my academic, diving and visual experiences that I bring to bear on the visual projects I work on. 

Today, I offer consultation, planning and post-processing services for visual projects both above and below the waves. I am available for hire as part of larger teams and production work. I also have range of underwater and aerial imaging equipment, topside visual gear and dive kit that is available for hire. Photographs and video are available for licensing.

My photographs have appeared in peer-reviewed scientific literature, media outlets including The Globe and Mail, Hakai Magazine, The Conversation, ECO Magazine, DIVER Mag, Oceanographic Magazine and CBC News while my film work has been featured on CBC Television and the History Channel.

SKILLS & Qualifications

  • Interfacing with scientific, policy, community stakeholders, non-profit, industry and film production professionals

  • Underwater and topside photography and videography

  • Photo and video post-production

  • Aerial photo & videography (Transport Canada RPAS-VLOS Advanced Operations Certificate)

  • Marine VHF (ROC-M) Operator Certificate

  • Aeronautical Radio (ROC-A) Operator Certificate

  • RYA Day Skipper

  • BLS/CPR & Emergency Oxygen Provider

  • Commercial Liability & Dive Insurance Coverage

  • Range of diving abilities from freediving, open circuit scuba to closed circuit rebreather diving, including mixed-gas diving

  • Assessing, planning and safely executing dive missions

  • Proficient and comfortable in dynamic, complex and demanding aquatic environments including large marine life

  • Fluent in English, French, German with a working knowledge of Spanish