On July 8, 2025, National Geographic photographer Brian Skerry made history off the coast of Harpswell, Maine. He captured what is believed to be the first-ever underwater photograph of a great white shark in Maine waters—a milestone moment for marine photographers everywhere.
The shark, a juvenile female around ten feet long, swam within just four feet of Skerry. The entire encounter lasted about three minutes before the shark disappeared into the Gulf of Maine. For a region where great whites have only recently returned in larger numbers, this image stands out as both rare and remarkable.
National Geographic reports that while tagged sharks and surface sightings have become more common in New England, no one had managed an underwater shot in Maine until this summer. Skerry, with more than 10,000 hours of underwater photography experience, managed to be in the right place at the right time—with steady hands and nerves of steel.
The Gulf of Maine has become a growing habitat for great whites, fueled by conservation efforts and the recovery of gray seal populations. At the same time, warming waters have expanded their range northward. For locals, the sight of a shark beneath the surface is still unnerving, especially following Maine’s first fatal shark attack in 2020. Yet, for photographers like Chris Cappelmann, the story highlights the ability of images to shift fear into respect and curiosity.
What makes this photo especially impactful is its context: a calm, close-up view of a creature that often inspires unease. It’s not a sensationalized moment but a portrait of a shark simply moving through its environment. As Cappelmann often emphasizes in his own work, photography can capture moments of natural beauty that help us see the world differently—and in this case, remind us of the wildness still thriving just off our shores.
This single image adds to a growing body of evidence that Maine’s waters are changing—and that photographers play a vital role in documenting those shifts. Whether you’re a professional or a hobbyist, Skerry’s photo is a reminder that patience, preparation, and presence can lead to once-in-a-lifetime shots.
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