Bio
Kristian Bogner is a master photographer, director, filmmaker, speaker and ambassador for Nikon Canada, Broncolor, Lowepro and Manfrotto. Awarded 2018 International Photographer of the Year and 3-time International Commercial Photographer of the Year with the Master Photographers International Association, 2024 World Photographic Cup Silver Medal in Sports, 2020 World Photographic Cup Bronze Medal in Reportage, 4-time Commercial Photographer of the Year for Canada and the prestigious Yousuf Karsh lifetime achievement award with the Professional Photographers of Canada Association, among many other awards for his work.
Bogner has a proud 85 year heritage in photography, starting with his grandfather, a master photographer in Germany, and one of Leica’s top ambassadors, followed by his father and mother who are also master photographers. His passion for visual storytelling takes him from shooting the Olympics and extreme sports, to fashion, editorial, architecture, aircrafts, nature, commercial, industrial and film projects and expeditions on every continent.
“I am honoured and stoked to be part of Team Canada, representing our country at the World Photographic Cup. WPC feels like you are representing your country at the Olympics of Photography and I am so happy to be part of Team Canada again this year and I hope to make it to Ecuador for the finals!”
2025 – Sports
Windsurfing has been a passion of mine ever since my Dad bought me my first windsurfer at 13 years old. I grew up on Lake Erie and we would go out windsurfing together all the time. Extreme sports photography is of course my other passion. When you can photograph the sports you love and play, it can give you insights that help you anticipate the action. Capturing this Redbull athlete windsurfing this massive and spectacular wave was definitely a career highlight for me. I love the perfect body position, light on his face with movement in his hair and the sunlight coming through the sail and projecting colours on the water as the s-trail wake shows his path and speed.
2024 – Sports
World Top 10 - Silver Medal
This image holds a lot of energy for me. It represents the epidemy of trusting my gut, a bit of luck, and technically nailing the shot at 500mm. It takes the perfect mix of conditions to make the “Jaws” break surfable, usually only happening 5 – 8 days a year. I was there on one of those days and was able to capture world renowned surfer Kai Lenny pulling a grab while launching off this gigantic wave. He only did one jump that day and this was it!
2023 – Nature / Wildlife
I have always loved connecting with wildlife and nature and trusting in the moment. I was out photographing with my new 800mm and had just photographed an eagle airborne. Then I saw a few dragonflies whirling about and I became determined to capture one with excellence, despite the challenge. This was the result.
2023 – Reportage / Photojournalism
I love Reportage and capturing the moment at its peak! This image was photographed during a halfpipe competition on an icy cold -20 degree celcius night. I had to ski down into position on the steep frozen halfpipe, switch to crampons and stay warm while photographing these exciting moments at high ISO with my Nikon Z 9.
2020 – Reportage / Photojournalism
World Top 10, Bronze Medal
“The EYE of JAWS” – The JAWS surf break a.k.a. Pe’ahi, only occurs a few days a year. It just so happened that I arrived in Maui, Hawaii the night before the break hit and was glad I had gone with my intuition and brought my 500mm PF on the trip. In the morning I saw on TV that the best surfers in the world were in Maui for the JAWS surf competition. I grabbed my gear, hiked out to these waves and was able to use my Nikon Z7 and 500mm PF to create this and many other amazing images that day. There is nothing like the exhilaration of capturing an extreme sports moment at the peak of its energy – where this incredible wave draws you in to the surfer as he touches the water with his hand.
2014 – Reportage / Photojournalism
“Taking Flight” – Everything is Energy! I was honoured to be the first Canadian to test out Nikon’s new flagship DSLR at the time and this was one of my first shots on the camera. I was so excited to be shooting on it and that energy, plus having an amazing athlete to photograph at the peak moment of the action gave this image its magic.