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A tiger shark rises up from the reef towards a blacktip shark (who quickly got out of the way). At the Tahiti site where we survey the tiger shark population there is a large population of blacktip reef sharks and grey reef sharks. You can predict when a tiger shark is about to make an entrance by watching the behavior of the smaller sharks in the area. And most times, you feel her presence yourself. That tiny part of wild left inside of you kicking in to it's instincts. The smaller sharks often become nervous and highly reactive in the moments leading up to the tiger shark making her presence known. Tiger sharks prefer the approach with the most caution, often entering the site from the direction in which the least eyes are pointed. Like a game of hide and go seek of sorts, just with much more teeth. They will spend quite some time circling around the area at the edge of the visibility patiently analyzing the situation. When the tiger shark finally decides to enter the area, the other sharks clear the way for her. A clear hierarchy established as there is no question to who is queen of the reef. Everyone bows down to her. 

Kori Burkhardt is an underwater photographer, expedition leader, & shark biologist based in French Polynesia. 

Capturing the ocean's apex predator by completely immersing with them, her goal is to show sharks in a beautiful, yet still powerful, perspective.

As co-founder of conservation and research organization Mao Mana Foundation, her mission commits to protecting sharks. Featured on National Geographic and Discovery Channel for her work with sharks since 2014 (previously under Kori Garza). 