Yukon photographer named Northerner of the Year

Yukon resident and acclaimed National Geographic photographer Paul Nicklen has been named the 2010 Northerner of the Year by Up Here Magazine.

Nicklen was raised in Nunavut, went to school in Yellowknife and makes his home in Yukon.

He studied biology at the University of Victoria before turning his passion for wildlife into a successful photojournalism career. He sold his first photo to Up Here Magazine for $72 nearly two decades ago.

In its December issue, the magazine highlights Nicklen's work in an article titled He'll Go to the Depths of Hell.

The article focuses on the extreme measures Nicklen goes to in order to capture a picture, including diving beneath ice floes in frigid water and chasing deadly sea creatures.

Nicklen is considered one of the world's greatest wildlife photographers and his iconic pictures have garnered him notoriety across the globe. He has appeared on Jeopardy and the Today Show, and has won five World Press Photo Awards.

The photographer tells Up Here Magazine he is still passionate about his work, and more invigorated thanever,even after 15 years.

During his time in the Arctic, he said, he's seen the impacts of the polar meltdown and feels his photosand his life can be inspiration for fighting climate change.

"If I'm going to have near-death experiences, suffer from hypothermia and spend months waiting for one image," he said, "you can go home and think about what car you're going to buy next."

The December issue of Up Here Magazine is on newsstands throughout the North and Canada.