Jan. 9, 2017 – Renowned wildlife photographer Brian Skerry is highly skilled at underwater photography. But, a “once in a lifetime opportunity” to photograph the President while snorkeling near Midway Atoll presented exciting challenges. Days after he expanded the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument surrounding the Hawaiian islands, the President visited the pristine expanse of coral reefs and seamounts and went snorkeling to see the marine life for himself. Skerry reflects on the event and how he used his years of experience to get the unique photograph.
Read National Geographic's interview with President Obama from Midway Atoll.Watch Sea of Hope: America's Underwater Treasures, premiering Sunday January 15, 2017 at 7/6c on National Geographic.
Footage: Sea of Hope, True Blue Films, Robert Nixon Producer/Director
Additional footage: Luis Lamar, Jeff Wildermuth, Trevor Frost
Photographs: Brian Skerry
Editor: Gabrielle Ewing
Producers: Gabrielle Ewing, Edythe McNamee
