The Cayman Islands-based organization made the announcement at the DEMA Show 2025 in Orlando, citing Nachoum’s numerous prestigious awards and significant contributions to exploration, underwater photography and the dive industry. As an internationally acclaimed photographer and renowned wildlife and underwater photographer specializing in photographing large marine species, Nachoum is the founder of Big Animals Expeditions, which, since 1988, has led over 7,000 explorers on safe and intimate wildlife encounters. As expedition leader, he has led expeditions in extreme environments, from the High Arctic to Antarctica, focusing on safety and respect for wildlife.

Awards and publications

Nachoum is a two-time winner of the BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year award, in the animal behavior category. He is one of only five people to swim and photograph polar bears underwater. His pioneering work in polar bear photography was highlighted in the 2019 documentary film, Picture of His Life, which featured Nachoum’s quest to photograph a swimming polar bear in the Canadian Arctic.

Nachoum’s images have been featured in many prestigious publications, including National Geographic, Time, Life, The New York Times, Condé Nast Traveler, and others. Indeed, he has been a distinguished colleague and highly regarded contributor to X-Ray Mag for over 15 years. 

Conservation advocate

As a consummate advocate for conservation, Nachoum has used his photography to raise awareness about ocean giants and dispel myths about dangerous wildlife. As a compelling speaker, he delivered a TED Talk in 2024 entitled “There Are No Demons in the Sea,” which was received with a standing ovation. In 2021, he was nominated for World Nature Photographer of the Year.

Fellow ISDHF 2026 inductees

Nachoum is joined by fellow ISDHF 2026 inductees: Thomas J. Koch (USA), Jeff and Teri Leicher (USA), Ludovico Mares (Italy), Syed Abd Rahman (Malaysia) and Ed Uditis (USA). For more information, visit: isdhf.visitcaymanislands.com.