Curious Giants Featured as National Geographic Photo of the Day

Some moments feel bigger than the photograph itself.

I’m incredibly proud to share that my image Curious Giants has been featured as National Geographic Photo of the Day for June 3rd 2026 - a recognition that feels deeply special, not only because of the platform, but because of what this image represents to me.

Curious Giants captures one of those rare encounters that reminds you why the ocean has such a powerful hold on us. A moment of stillness. A moment of curiosity. A moment where the boundary between human and wild seems to briefly disappear.

A Moment of Connection in Baja California

This image was captured in Baja California, Mexico, during an unforgettable day on the water with grey whales.

Grey whales are among the most extraordinary animals I have ever encountered. Despite their size and power, there is a gentleness to them that is difficult to describe until you experience it for yourself. They move through the water with quiet confidence, often approaching boats and people with what can only be described as genuine curiosity.

On this particular day, we were surrounded by grey whales. Not one fleeting encounter. Not a distant sighting. But a full, immersive experience with these enormous, intelligent animals choosing to come close.

That is what makes encounters like this so moving. They are not forced. They are not controlled. They happen because the animal allows them to happen.

As a wildlife photographer, those are the moments I live for.

The Story Behind Curious Giants

The title Curious Giants came naturally.

Grey whales are giants in every sense. They can reach lengths of around 15 metres, migrate thousands of miles each year, and carry with them one of the most remarkable conservation stories in the marine world. But what struck me most in this moment was not just their size - it was their curiosity.

There is something incredibly humbling about being observed by a whale.

So often, we think of wildlife photography as humans looking at animals. But in moments like this, that relationship feels reversed. You realise that you are not just the observer. You are being observed too.

That quiet exchange is what I wanted this image to hold.

Not just scale. Not just beauty. But connection.

Why This Recognition Means So Much

Having Curious Giants featured by National Geographic is a huge honour.

For many photographers, National Geographic represents the pinnacle of visual storytelling. It is a name that has inspired generations of people to care about the natural world, to look closer, and to understand that photographs can do more than simply show us what something looks like.

They can make us feel something.

They can change how we see the world.

To have one of my images included as Photo of the Day is something I’m incredibly grateful for, especially because this photograph sits so closely to the heart of my work: using photography and film to tell stories about the ocean, wildlife, and our connection to the natural world.

Grey Whales and the Power of Ocean Storytelling

Grey whales have a complex and powerful history.

Once heavily hunted, their recovery in parts of the world has become an important reminder that conservation can work when we give nature the chance to recover. Their presence along the coast of Baja California is now not only a wildlife spectacle, but also a symbol of coexistence.

Responsible whale tourism has helped create a space where local communities, visitors, and wildlife can benefit from protection rather than exploitation. It allows people to experience these animals in a way that can inspire lifelong care for the ocean.

That is why images like Curious Giants matter to me.

They are not just about showing an incredible animal. They are about helping people feel something for the ocean. Because when people feel connected to a place, a species, or a story, they are far more likely to care about its future.

More Than a Photograph

Every image has a life beyond the moment it was taken.

For me, Curious Giants has become a reminder of why I picked up a camera in the first place. It is about curiosity, wonder, patience, and respect. It is about being present enough to witness something extraordinary, and responsible enough to tell that story with care.

I hope that when people see this image, they feel the same sense of awe I felt in that moment.

Awe for the scale of these animals.

Awe for their intelligence and gentleness.

Awe for the ocean that still holds so much mystery, beauty, and life.

And, perhaps most importantly, a reminder that the wild is not something separate from us. It is something we are privileged to be part of.

Final Thoughts

To see this image recognised by National Geographic is something I will never take for granted.

But beyond the recognition, I hope Curious Giants encourages people to look at whales - and the ocean as a whole - with more wonder, more respect, and more curiosity.

Because the more we understand these animals, the harder it becomes not to protect them.