Nic Bothma

available work

Nic Bothma has been a professional photojournalist for 20 years and has worked in more than 60 countries. He began his career documenting the fall of apartheid and transition into democracy in South Africa. Worked for local newspapers and international agencies. Crossed both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans documenting remote island cultures as a long distance solo sailor. Nic joined the international news picture service European Pressphoto Agency (EPA) in 2003 and currently holds the position of West Africa chief photographer.

Nic's interest revolves around documenting extremes. Extremes of life both the positive and negative and is concerned with telling the story of the enduring human spirit. Looking closely at our relationship with the environment he is passionate about colour and action which are dominant themes influencing his style. Nic documents a wide variety of subjects across feature, sport, entertainment,nature and news categories.

Assignments covered:

The Israel-Palestine conflict in Gaza, The The fall of Charles Taylor and civil war in Liberia, The Sudan civil war in Darfur, Post war rehabilitation in Sierra Leone and Liberia, Togo civil war, Democratic Republic of Congo civil unrest and elections, Ghana Africa Cup of Nations, Euro soccer championships, Beijing Olympic games, London Olympic games, Daegu Athletics World Championships, FIFA World Cup, The inception of Big Wave surfing in South Africa, The apartheid struggle and transition into democracy in South Africa. Ivory Coast transition into Democracy, The endangered tribes of the San Blas in Panama, Fiji Octopus hunters, Pacific reef degradation, Panama canal transits.

Publications include:

The New York Times, International Herald Tribune, LA Times, The Times, The Observer, The Telegraph, The Guardian, South China Morning Post, Die Welt, De Volkskrant, Sud Zeitung, Frankfurter, El Pais, Le Monde, Time, Newsweek, Stern, The Surfers Journal, Surfer, The Surfers Path, Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Paris Match, Foto Szem

Awards include:


2005:                  Ischia International award for Journalism
 - Italy
2007:                  NPPA (national press photographers association) Sports action winner 
- USA
2007:                  National headliner award - USA
2007:                  Society of professional journalists Sigma Delta Chi award - USA
2004 & 2007:        Fujifilm African Press Photographer of the year
 - South Africa
2008:                  United Nations Changing Lives Contest - First place - United Nations