ABOVE THE SURFACE by Greg Lecoeur

Originally from Nice and a lover of the Mediterranean Sea since early childhood, Greg Lecoeur became interested in marine biology and diving at a very young age. After studying business and joining the family company, he launched his own company. When he wasn’t working, he would return to the depths, diving and developing his underwater imaging techniques.

At the age of 32, with a diving instructor’s certificate in his pocket, he sold his company and lived his dream: a year around the world with his camera. The adventure began in the Galapagos, then continued to Ecuador, Florida, the Bahamas, Honduras, Yucatán, California, Hawaii, and British Columbia.

Upon his return, Lecoeur’s insights and unique perspective were featured in French and international publications, and he received his first award: “Golden Diver” at the Aquatic Festival in 2015.

Since then, Lecoeur has dedicated all his time to his passion for the marine world. Deeply committed to the preservation of the oceans, his documentation and expeditions contribute to an in-depth knowledge of underwater biodiversity and the enhancement of our planet’s environmental heritage.

Lecoeur was National Geographic’s Photographer of the Year in 2016 for his spectacular shot of the sardine run and has been honored with many other international awards, including the recent Underwater Photographer of the Year in 2020 for his capturing of crabeater seals in the Antarctic. His images and stories are published regularly around the world.

Lecoeur is a photojournalist, a committed artist and the author of two books (REQUINS: guide de l’interaction, 2017; and ANTARCTICA, 2020). Lecoeur tells the oceans’ stories in order to touch people and raise awareness about the preservation of underwater ecosystems.