Julien Marchal was born in 1976 in Clamart, Haut-de-Seine (France). He was drawn to photography by a love of the ocean and dolphins, and a commitment to protecting the world's seabeds.
While in Strasbourg and Montpellier, Julien planned opportunities to meet the animals he sought to protect. During a trip to British Columbia, Canada, he encountered killer whales, and blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus) travelling in pairs. He was fortunate enough to come across a newborn sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) off the coast of the Azores.

Julien photographed eight sperm whales and spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris) near Mauritius. He also took pictures of a number of long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas) in the Mediterranean Sea.
In addition to being a photographer, Julien Marchal is a member of various cetacean associations throughout the world. He is a nature guide specializing in cetaceans and is a strong critic of the practice of keeping dolphins and killer whales in captivity. He speaks at conferences, and publishes scientific and non?technical articles with the aim of “increasing public awareness, including that of future generations.” Julien currently works in Quebec, Canada, as a cetaceans nature guide, skipper and marketing representative for an ecotourism company.