Sign In

Louie Psihoyos

Executive Director at Oceanic Preservation Society

Louie Psihoyos is an acclaimed photographer and filmmaker, currently serving as the Executive Director of the Oceanic Preservation Society (OPS), a non-profit organization focused on marine conservation and environmental protection. He co-founded OPS in 2006 alongside entrepreneur Jim Clark, aiming to leverage mass media to inspire change regarding environmental issues, particularly those affecting the oceans.12

Career Highlights

  • Photography and Early Career: Psihoyos gained recognition as an award-winning photographer, notably becoming the first new hire at National Geographic in over a decade after winning the title of College Photographer of the Year in 1980. He later worked as a contract photographer for Fortune Magazine, capturing iconic portraits of influential figures such as Bill Gates and Steve Jobs.13

  • Documentary Filmmaking: His directorial debut, The Cove (2009), won an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature and received over 100 awards globally. The film played a significant role in raising awareness about dolphin hunting in Japan, resulting in a dramatic decrease in dolphin deaths.12 Following this success, he directed Racing Extinction (2015), which was nominated for both an Oscar and an Emmy and reached millions worldwide upon its release on the Discovery Channel.13

  • Recent Projects: Psihoyos also directed The Game Changers (2018), focusing on plant-based diets and their benefits for athletes. This film contributed to a notable increase in global interest in plant-based nutrition.12 Additionally, he has produced impactful media installations related to environmental issues that have garnered billions of media views.1

Vision and Impact

Psihoyos emphasizes the power of visual storytelling to effect change, stating that documentaries can alter public perception and policy regarding environmental conservation. His work continues to inspire activism and awareness around critical issues facing marine life and ecosystems today.23

Highlights

Jan 17 · opsociety.org
Academy Award-winning director Louie Psihoyos on his latest ...
Apr 12 · youtube.com
Louie Psihoyos | EP 12 - YouTube
Louie Psihoyos | EP 12 - YouTube

Related Questions

What inspired Louie Psihoyos to transition from photography to documentary filmmaking?
How did "The Cove" impact dolphin and porpoise conservation efforts?
What are some of the major environmental initiatives supported by OPS?
How did "Racing Extinction" influence global policies on endangered species?
What unique techniques does OPS use to expose environmental crimes?
Louie Psihoyos
Louie Psihoyos, photo 1
Louie Psihoyos, photo 2
Add to my network

Experience

Executive Director at Oceanic Preservation Society since April 2006
Award-winning photographer, academy-award-winning director. Directed films like 'The Cove', 'Racing Extinction', and 'The Game Changers'., First new photographer hired by National Geographic in over a decade, post winning College Photographer of the Year 1980. Later, a contract photographer for Fortune Magazine.

Location

Sausalito, California, United States