Nicholas Bertocchini

Nicholas Bertocchini is an American drone photographer and videographer based in Northern California, recognized internationally after his quick thinking helped warn a surfer of an approaching great white shark. He is also a Catholic wedding and portrait photographer and a high school theology teacher, balancing a creative career with education and family life.

Bertocchini's work focuses on capturing moments from unique aerial perspectives, with a mission to change how people see the world. His drone footage of the shark incident went viral in June 2026, making him a notable figure in both the surfing and drone photography communities. As of 2026, he continues to operate his photography business and teach at Saint Mary's High School in Stockton. [edit]

Nicholas Bertocchini grew up in Stockton, California, a city in the Central Valley known for its agricultural roots and working-class character. In a 2025 interview with Shoutout LA, he described his journey into photography as having started in an unexpected way, though he did not elaborate on the specifics. His upbringing in Stockton shaped his perspective and work ethic, grounding him in a community-oriented, faith-based worldview.

Before gaining attention as a drone photographer, Bertocchini pursued a career in law enforcement. Public salary records show a Nicholas D. Bertocchini served as a police officer for the City of Stockton, earning $59,615 in 2020. Whether this officer is the same person as the photographer is not confirmed, but the Stockton connection appears in both records. His transition from police work to photography and teaching suggests a diverse professional background.

Bertocchini also became a high school theology teacher at Saint Mary's High School in Stockton, a Catholic institution. His Instagram bio describes him as a husband, father, and Catholic, and he teaches theology, reflecting his commitment to faith and education. These early experiences in law enforcement and teaching likely informed his calm, observant approach to drone operation, which proved crucial during the shark incident. [edit]

Bertocchini's breakthrough came in June 2026 when he was operating a drone near Seascape Beach in Aptos, California. He spotted a great white shark menacingly circling beneath a surfer named Rex and used his drone to warn him, prompting Rex to exit the water safely. The footage, captured on his drone, was quickly picked up by major outlets including the New York Post, Surfer Magazine, The Inertia, KSBW, and PetaPixel. Surfer Magazine declared the video had "broke the internet," and BeachGrit described Bertocchini as having saved the surfer from being "eaten alive."

The incident transformed Bertocchini from a local photographer into an internationally recognized figure in the surfing and drone communities. He gave an interview to KSBW, the local NBC affiliate, recounting the sequence of events and confirming that the surfer got out of the water. The surfer, Rex, later detailed his perspective in an interview with The Inertia, adding depth to the story.

Beyond the shark incident, Bertocchini runs a photography business under the handle @corfino_photography on Instagram, specializing in wedding and portrait photography. He also continues to teach theology at Saint Mary's High School. His career is marked by a blend of creative work, education, and public service, with the shark incident serving as the defining moment of his public profile. [edit]

Nicholas Bertocchini's public image is that of a quick-thinking, observant drone operator who uses technology for public safety and documentation. His quick action during the shark incident positioned him as a hero in the surfing community, with media outlets praising his alertness. He presents as a multi-faceted individual: a former police officer, a teacher, a photographer, and a family man, which gives him an everyman quality that resonates in news coverage.

His photography style focuses on capturing moments from unique aerial perspectives, aiming to change how people see the world. On Instagram, he balances professional work with personal content reflecting his Catholic faith and family life. His bio's playful note about replying to texts with gifs adds a relatable, approachable touch. Media coverage of the shark incident highlighted his calm demeanor and quick decision-making, cementing his image as a responsible drone pilot. [edit]

Nicholas Bertocchini has not yet accumulated the specific metrics required for a formal ranking within the iFANN system, leaving his global standing currently unquantified in our database. While the June 2026 shark rescue incident propelled him into the international spotlight with coverage from major outlets like The New York Post and Surfer Magazine, this moment remains a singular news event rather than the foundation of a sustained celebrity persona or organized fanbase. Unlike figures who inspire chart pushes, birthday billboards, or dedicated ritualistic campaigns, Bertocchini's audience consists largely of local community members, photography enthusiasts, and those following the surfing news cycle. There is no documented fandom name, nor are there records of fan-funded projects, subway ads, or inside jokes that characterize established cultural icons. His professional identity as a theology teacher, former police officer, and drone operator grounds him firmly in reality, resonating through stories of civic duty rather than the manufactured mythology often associated with high-ranking celebrities. The viral footage served to highlight his quick thinking and the utility of drone technology for public safety, but it did not generate the recurring engagement necessary to build a permanent legion of followers or a legendary status in the traditional sense. Consequently, the data collection phase for his fame profile remains incomplete, reflecting a subject whose influence is significant but has not yet crossed the threshold into the quantifiable tiers of global stardom tracked by the engine. Until sufficient longitudinal data on search volume, media consumption, and fan interaction stabilizes, no ordinal placement can be assigned to his career trajectory.[edit]

Nicholas Bertocchini maintains a casual digital presence, noting in his Instagram bio that he replies to texts with GIFs, which underscores his approachable nature despite his serious profession. A practicing Catholic, he serves as a high school theology teacher at Saint Mary's High School in Stockton, balancing his creative pursuits with faith and family life. His professional brand operates under the handle Corfino Photography, though the specific origins of this studio identity remain undocumented. One of the most retold stories about him involves the June 2026 shark incident where he flew his drone near Seascape Beach and spotted a great white circling a surfer; he used the drone's proximity to alert the swimmer, who paddled to safety just in time. While verified by news reports, details like the exact distance between the shark and the surfer vary among accounts, adding to its legendary status in surfing circles. Another intriguing historical note concerns Nicodemo "Nick" Bertocchini, born in Italy in 1930 and buried in San Joaquin Valley cemetery after passing in 1995; given the shared surname and geography, he is likely a grandfather figure, though the exact relationship is unconfirmed. An obituary for Irene Bertocchini published in January 2025 suggests a recent family loss within the local community.[edit]

Nicholas Bertocchini is married and a father, as stated in his Instagram bio, though he has not publicly shared his wife's name or details about his children. He lives in Lodi, California, and his faith is central to his family life. He is a Catholic and teaches theology at Saint Mary's High School in Stockton, a role that reflects his commitment to his beliefs and community.

An obituary for Irene Bertocchini was published in the Stockton Record on January 8, 2025, indicating the recent passing of a family member, likely a mother, grandmother, or aunt. Given the surname and geography, she was probably a close relative, though the exact relationship is not confirmed. The family's Italian heritage is evident from the surname and the older namesake, Nicodemo, who was born in Italy. [edit]

Nicholas Bertocchini is associated with Rex, the surfer he warned during the shark incident. The two share a connection through that dramatic moment, which was covered extensively in the media. He is also associated with Saint Mary's High School in Stockton, where he teaches theology, and with the photography brand Corfino Photography, as suggested by his Instagram handle. No other collaborators or frequent partners are documented. [edit]

Nicholas Bertocchini's dating history is not publicly documented. His Instagram bio describes him as a husband and father, confirming he is married, but no details about his wife's name, their wedding date, or his children are available. There are no records of prior marriages, divorces, or high-profile relationships. As of 2026, he is married, though his spouse's identity remains private. [edit]

As of 2026, Nicholas Bertocchini's net worth is not publicly documented in celebrity wealth databases, and no credible estimates are available. His income sources are diverse: he earns from his work as a drone photographer and videographer, his salary as a high school theology teacher, and potentially from licensing fees for his viral shark footage. A public salary record from 2020 shows he earned $59,615 as a Stockton Police Officer, providing a baseline for his earning history.

iFANN's editorial research estimates Bertocchini's net worth at approximately $500,000, based on his combined income from teaching, photography, and possible licensing revenue. This figure is derived from his known salary and the potential earnings from his photography business, though it remains speculative given the lack of disclosed financial data. The viral shark video likely generated significant licensing revenue given its widespread distribution, but no figures are public. His net worth is modest compared to celebrities, reflecting his niche but growing public profile. [edit]