Five questions with marine photographer Ben Hicks on conservation, craft, and 25 years behind the lens.
Florida native Ben Hicks came of age in the heart of photography's digital transition. He picked up his first (film) camera in 1999, and began shooting college sports and professional surfers until an opportunity to shoot sea turtles in 2009 ignited a new passion. He found he could use his talents to raise awareness about conserving these most critical and fragile ecosystems.
“I have to follow my own path, and I've been able to do that,” said Hicks, 44.
Hicks' major break in professional marine photography came in 2013 when National Geographic posted one of his photos online. The moment helped him create his own social following and the foundation to take a career telling the story of the seas through a camera lens to the next level.
He has worked with a range of brands before and since, and it's easy to see why. Hicks' photography is stunning and largely untouched. A plethora of iconic, intimate moments with sea turtles are just a few examples of how he shows the vibrancy of what lies just below the surface. Now in the middle of his career, he also donates a number of images to charities such as Ocean Conservancy and Oceanic Society.
We caught up with Hicks between trips from his home in Boca Raton, Florida.
You've been a photographer for 25 years. What are some of the biggest changes you've seen?
I've touched base in a lot of different fields. I came into the analog world, then got spit out into the digital world and I was fortunate enough to be a part of that transition. The move to digital meant that you had to accept that your photos would be shared (regardless of your permission), and I think I've done a good job of managing that.
How do you describe your photography style?
For the most part, I approach it based on the story behind the element of nature. I think about the deeper part of that story—how I can portray that piece of nature in society's mind and understand how to protect it. I always try to do as little processing as possible after I've taken the photo. These days, I'm approaching my photography in more of a conservation way. I'm always trying to figure out different ways of photographing something, especially in ways that are environmentally understandable.
I have to always remember that photography is art, and art can be whatever it is. Today, the expectations of the public have changed. People now have a little bit of guard, and wonder if a photo is real or not. When I teach, I try to show the perspective of what's real versus what's not.
Social media is a big part of your brand. How have you evolved your online presence?
It's really helped my work and put me on the map in a number of ways, but I have to tread lightly and constantly educate myself. The algorithms and reach have changed. It's a vital part of what I do, and it's often a part of my brand contracts. I feel like social media is still a laughable fact for many, though. I'm trying to tell the story of nature and how it struggles, and sometimes people see that as not helping, but I think it's showing the importance of protecting.
Also, my kids see me on social media a lot and I have to educate them on it, including its downsides. It's a societal responsibility and a personal one as a father and husband.
Is there something particularly worrisome you're seeing in the marine environment?
The amount of microplastics in the water. There are a lot of places where coral growth is non-existent, and anything living below the surface is struggling. I'm also seeing condos being built closer and closer to sea turtle nests. I've been around long enough to see some of the change, and I hear about more of it through biologists. A lot of people will ask me about the fate of the oceans, but I'm not an expert in it so I direct them to expert resources.
When you're not shooting, what do you like to do?
I like to stay busy. I spend a lot of time with my family, staying fit, riding my bike, working on old dirt bikes, camping, and traveling. We travel a lot for my job, which often includes partnerships with a hotel chain or a city. This year, we've been to Panama, Mexico, and Costa Rica with our kids. Since my wife works in the environmental sector, our kids are fully saturated. They'll pick up trash any time they see it.
Explore more of Ben Hicks' work at benjhicks.com and follow his latest projects on Instagram @benjhicks.
Story by Geoff Nudelman. Photos by Ben Hicks, with portraits by Logan Graham and Alfred Minnaar. Originally published in Beach Happy Magazine, Winter 2025.
