Thomas Peschak

Thomas P. Peschak is a contributing photographer to National Geographic Magazine and a fellow of the International League of Conservation Photographers (ILCP).

Based in South Africa, he spends 300 days a year on assignment in various parts of the world. Formally trained as a marine biologist, Tom later transitioned into a full-time career in environmental photojournalism; realizing that he could have a bigger conservation impact with his photographs.

Thomas began his career specializing in photographing Africa’s marine and coastal biodiversity and produced three books on the subject: Currents of Contrast, Great White Shark and Wild Seas Secret Shores. He has since then broadened his geographic scope to include the wider regions of the Indian Ocean and Arabia. His most recent book, Lost World (2009) profiles the marine environment of Aldabra and the Seychelles. He is currently working on his fifth book, Sharks and People, which is set for release in 2011 and chronicles the relationship between people and sharks at more than two dozens locations around the world.

A dedicated conservation photographer he believes photographs are the most effective weapons in conservation today. His feature story on manta rays of the Maldives appeared in National Geographic magazine in 2009 and helped proclaim a marine reserve and protection for these rays. He is presently spearheading campaign to proclaim and make marine reserves more effective on a global scale, end unsustainable shark fisheries and raise awareness of manta ray conservation in the Indian Ocean.

Thomas believes that the combined forces of photojournalism and conservation NGO’s are incredibly powerful and he has served as the official photographer for WWF-South Africa and Chief Photographer for the Save our Seas Foundation for many years.

As a marine conservation photographer he documents elusive endangered species such as the African manatee and rare pristine hot spots like Aldabra Atoll, but he is probably best known for his work with sharks and manta rays, in particular his image of a great white shark following a researcher in a small yellow kayak.

His photo features have appeared in publications such as National Geographic Magazine, BBC Wildlife, Vanity Fair, Paris Match, Africa Geographic and many others. Thomas is multiple winner of BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year Awards and in 2011 received a World Press Award for his work.

thomaspeschak.com