Nik Wheeler is a British-American photojournalist and travel photographer whose storied career has defined an era of visual storytelling. From the frontlines of history to the most exotic corners of the globe, Wheeler's lens has captured some of the most iconic and pivotal moments of the 20th century.
He began his career as a combat photographer during the Vietnam War, covering major events like the Tet Offensive, the Battle of Hue, and the Fall of Saigon. His fearless documentation earned him international recognition, and after two and a half years in Saigon, Wheeler moved to Beirut, where he freelanced throughout the Middle East. He chronicled historic moments such as the Jordan Civil War for Time Magazine and the Yom Kippur War for Newsweek. His groundbreaking work caught the attention of National Geographic, which sent him to Iraq to live with the Marsh Arabs, resulting in his acclaimed debut book, Return to the Marshes.
By the mid-1970s, Wheeler was based in Paris under contract with Sipa Press, traveling the globe to cover major international events. It was during this period that he captured his famous image of the notorious terrorist Carlos the Jackal at Algiers Airport— a photo that was acknowledged to be one of the most important Photos of the 20th Century.
Over his five-decade career, Wheeler has worked on assignments in more than 100 countries for esteemed publications such as National Geographic, Travel + Leisure, Departures, Islands, Newsweek, GEO, The Observer, and The Telegraph. His work has appeared on over 300 magazine and book covers, and he has illustrated more than 20 guidebooks as co-publisher of the Insider Travel Guide series. His book Island Dreams for Thames & Hudson won the prestigious Lowell Thomas Award for Travel Book of the Year.
Wheeler’s immense contributions to the field have been recognized with numerous accolades, including being named Travel Photographer of the Year by SATW and receiving both domestic and international awards for his travel books. His photographs have been exhibited and celebrated at renowned institutions such as LACMA, the Fowler Museum, Harvard, NYU, and the prestigious Visa pour l’Image International Festival of Photojournalism in France. He has also shared his expertise on platforms such as Good Morning America, The Merv Griffin Show, and Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.
With a career spanning over 50 years, Wheeler has built an unparalleled archive of more than one million photographs, cementing his reputation as one of the greatest travel photographers of the 21st century. His portfolio not only includes breathtaking travel images but also portraits of some of the world’s most influential figures, including Queen Elizabeth, Muhammad Ali, Fidel Castro, Saddam Hussein, Clint Eastwood, and Presidents Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan.
Nik Wheeler’s work is not just a chronicle of moments; it is a testament to the power of photography to capture the beauty, complexity, and history of our world. His legacy as a visual storyteller continues to inspire generations of photographers and audiences alike.
