Since the beginning of his career in conservation photography, Nicklen has quickly become the only Canadian photographer for National Geographic Magazine, and has published eleven stories for National Geographic. Along with these feats, he is a member of the International League of Conservation Photographers (ILCP). He has written several books. Major exhibits of his work include Extreme Exposure at the Annenberg Space for Photography in Los Angeles, California in 2009 and most recently, he opened the Paul Nicklen Gallery in Soho, New York City, New York in April 2017 as a space for conservationist photographers and other artists to participate in the fine art scene.