Nicki Meharg

Nicki Meharg | Wildlife and expedition cinematographer, Camera Assistant & Expedition & Dive Medic for Natural History Films, Human animal documentaries, cast and presenter led expedition TV.

CV

Skills and experience

With a background rooted in wildlife, adventure and expedition environments, I work as a natural history and adventure cinematograpgher and camera assistant, supporting productions in remote, marine and extreme locations. My experience across underwater, long-lens, drone, human impact stories and expedition fieldwork allows me to bring adaptable, practical and reliable support wherever a story unfolds.

My work combines natural history camera work, camera assisting, professional diving and expedition safety. From behaviour-led wildlife sequences to presenter-led expedition filming, I approach each project with calm awareness, technical precision and a strong respect for the environments and species I work with.

Before moving into filmmaking — and continuing alongside it — I worked internationally as an expedition and wildlife guide, dive professional and instructor, leading marine operations and wildlife tours in remote environments. These roles developed my ability to read landscapes, the environment, the oceans, the weather, understand wildlife behaviour, anticipate challenges and stay steady under pressure — skills that now underpin my work in natural history and adventure production.

I’ve contributed to a wide range of productions, from blue-chip landmark series to presenter-led adventure and expedition TV. I’ve also appeared on screen as freediving talent and regularly train presenters, talent and production teams for water-based and underwater filming. I enjoy roles that require both emotional intelligence and technical capability — whether handling long-lens wildlife work, preparing underwater housings at sea, or coordinating logistics in demanding environments.

I’ve built my skillset deliberately, through long-term mentorship, hands-on field experience and collaboration with trusted teams — rather than chasing quick credits. I value quiet competence, shared responsibility and creating a working environment where crews can perform at their best.

Alongside camera operating and assisting, I work as a specialist camera technician, with deep experience in natural history camera workflows, Nauticam and Gates underwater housings, custom rig solutions and field troubleshooting. As a Dive Medic Technician (DMT) and expedition medic, I bring additional capability in safety management, planning and remote team leadership — particularly valued on marine shoots, wilderness expeditions and remote location filming.

I’m currently developing a global wildlife footage archive and producing a series of independent conservation shorts. I’m particularly interested in ethical wildlife storytelling, behaviour-led filming and raising the creative and safety standards of natural history and adventure filmmaking.

Clients include: National Geographic / Disney, BBC Natural History Unit, Apple TV, Netflix, Sky, ITV, and more.

Skills

    • 1st AC / 2nd AC camera assisting

    • Camera kit technician & field maintenance

    • Grip, specialist cameras & stabilised systems

    • Equipment development & modification

    • Licensed drone operator (GVC & A2 CofC)

    • CCR diver — 350+ hours

    • Open circuit diver — 4000+ hours

    • Freediver — 4000+ hours

    • Full-face mask & comms

    • Safety diver & dive supervisor

    • Underwater filming support

    • Powerboat & RIB operator

    • Dive Medic Technician (DMT) / Expedition Medic (FREC 3)

    • Expedition guiding & logistics

    • Human factors, mentoring & team leadership

    • Extreme environment operations

    • Adobe CC

    • CAD & 3D modelling (SketchUp)

Certifications and Training

    • TDI OC Deco Pro

    • TDI OC Helitrox

    • TDI OC Advanced Nitrox

    • GUE Fundamentals Tech

    • CCR workshop & hours

    • Revo Mod 1 CCR Air Diluent Deco Pro

    • HSE Part IV

    • Dive Medic Technician

    • FREC 3 Expedition Medic

    • Human Factors in Diving

    • DAN First Aid at Work

    • O₂ Instructor

    • SSI Freediving Instructor

    • PADI MSDT (global)

    • Freediving coaching (rescue, equalisation)

    • Flyby Drone GVC & A2 CofC

    • RYA Powerboat Level 2

Conservation work

    • Skomer Marine Conservation Zone – 2015 to present

    • Neptune’s Army of Rubbish Cleaners – 2015 to present

    • Ghost Diving Egypt – 2020 to present

    • We Swim Wild – 2019 to present

    • Seasearch – 2015 to present

    • Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme – 2018

nicki meharg

“A very reliable pair of hands to trust your camera and housing with!

Always learning, applying and expanding her knowledge of both diving and cameras, and with a genuine excitement and wonder of new experiences and the world, she’s a great member of any team.”

— Rob Taylor TV

An Arctic fox standing on rocks near a pile of walrus with a body of water and mountains in the background.
Nicki Meharg working underwater using CCR diving and a Gates underwater housing with a RED camera system in a Japanese ocean environment.
Nicki Meharg and Rob Taylor working on set for Disney Pole to Pole in the Arctic.
Two people dressed in winter gear walking on snow-covered ice in a polar landscape with some ice formations in the distance.
Two women and a man engaging in a conversation on a boat by the ocean, with one woman filming using a video camera. The conversation takes place in front of a boat with hills and water in the background.
Person in outdoor gear sitting on rocks by a loch, looking through binoculars, with a small pier extending into the water and a cloudy sky overhead.
Two people sitting in a boat on icy water with snow-covered mountains in the background, dressed in winter gear.
A woman and a man smiling in a black and white photo. The woman has light-colored hair and is wearing a jacket, the man has short light hair and is also wearing a jacket. They are making hand gestures and appear to be in a garage or workshop setting.
Group of seven people on a boat at sunset, wearing life jackets and smiling.
A diver in black wetsuit and snorkel gear in turquoise water near a boat, with a person on the boat assisting with diving equipment, and a lush green island with rocky shoreline and a mountain in the background.
Two technicians inspecting and adjusting a camera mounted on a rig inside a facility with equipment and cables visible around.
Nicki Meharg Training freediving to 50m depth in Dahab with Harry Chamas.
Nicki Meharg Training freediving to 50m depth in Dahab with Harry Chamas.
Nicki Meharg and Hugh Miller Filming for Disney/ Nat Geo 'Sentient' . Using Revo CCR in wetsuits on a boat, preparing for a dive, with a scenic view of ocean and green hills in the background.
Two people in winter gear standing on snow-covered terrain with mountain peaks in the background.
Nicki Meharg in a plaid shirt is looking through a camera on a tripod, set up on a rocky shoreline with ocean and cloudy sky in the background.
Nicki Meharg smiling on boat with blue ocean, green island, and rocky mountain in the background.
Nicki Meharg in a wetsuit and scuba fins swimming underwater, holding a camera and pointing forward.
Two scuba divers walk into the clear ocean water near a rocky shoreline, with blue sky and clouds above.
Nicki Meharg, Steve Backshall and Roby Taylor enjoying a meal on a boat with a view of a volcano in the background. while filming 'Whale' with Steve Backshall for Sky.
Three researchers in cold-weather gear on a ship's deck handling a line, with an icy landscape and snow-covered mountains in the background.
Researchers conducting an ice measurement in a snowy, icy landscape, with scientific equipment and a person in a bright yellow suit
Two scuba divers, one woman and one man, preparing to enter the water at a rocky shoreline on a sunny day. The woman is standing in the water, while the man is sitting on the rocks, both adjusting their diving gear.
A man in a black dry suit and hood, wearing scuba diving equipment, sitting on a snow-covered landscape, surrounded by other people in cold-weather gear.
Two people, a man and a woman, standing indoors with red lighting. The man is wearing a black jacket with glasses on his head, and the woman is wearing glasses and holding a piece of equipment.
Three people on a boat, smiling, with water in the background, one person wearing a camouflage jacket, two others in wetsuits.
Three smiling people on a boat, with the person on the left taking a selfie. The person in the middle is wearing a beanie and sunglasses hanging from their shirt, while the person on the right is wearing a black long-sleeve shirt and ripped black sho
topside camera
Two brown and gray seabirds perched on dark volcanic rocks in a foggy, overcast setting.
fur seal

Testimonials

“Nicki has worked with us at Silverback a number of times as an U/W kit technician, an U/W AC and a Dive Safety Supervisor. She is hardworking, knowledgeable, reliable, and passionate about the work she does. Nicki stepped in to our U/W kit dept in the chaos of Covid and waved her magic wand to get things sorted and on track without fuss or bother. I would highly recommend Nicki for any job in the U/W world, as a you can rest assured that the job will be done safely, skilfully and with great team spirit.”

— Elly Salisbury, Deputy Director of Production, Silverback Films

“Any production would be lucky to have Nicki as part of the team! Her positive and proactive approach creates a great working environment whether she's looking after the kit or the safety of the dive crew.”

— Katie Marie Goodwright, KMG managment

“I have dived with Nicki almost 50+ Hours underwater on training dives, scouting and exploration or on conservation projects. What makes her a valuable team member is her well rounded set of skills, leadership attitude, her passion towards learning and safety oriented mindset. I fully trust that whatever job will be thrown at her, she will do it in the most professional way.”

— Mahmoud Esmat, Scuba Seekers CCR GUE Tech diver and recreational Instructor, Dahab

“I am lucky enough to be surrounded by professional underwater crews who are at the top of their game, making some visually outstanding, memorable and cutting-edge productions, I count Nicki as one of these guys and it’s a great privilege to work with her”

— Neil Brock, Bristol Channel Divers

Travel and my global dive family network

Having lived and worked around the world, I’ve built a trusted network across marine and terrestrial conservation, wildlife filmmaking, adventure and natural history production, expedition logistics, local fixers, scientific field teams, and storytelling communities. This network provides deep regional insight, reliable on-the-ground support and collaborative strength for well-prepared, responsible filmmaking on land and at sea.