From Whales to VR, How Eric Cheng Built His Net Worth

Although Eric Cheng’s estimated net worth of $10 million in 2025 places him among a select few creative technologists who have effectively combined art, science, and entrepreneurship, his financial story is more complex than just numbers. His success stems from his inventiveness, incredibly successful career changes, and love of telling stories with pictures, whether they are taken underwater or high above volcanic eruptions.

Cheng was born to Taiwanese immigrant parents in Madison, Wisconsin, and his early years reflected the creative yet disciplined mindset that has continuously characterized his work. He gained a foundation in computer science at Stanford that was both technically demanding and creatively freeing. Cheng significantly enhanced his trajectory by fusing his academic background with his lifelong passions, photography and music, while his classmates took more traditional routes to become Silicon Valley titans.

Eric Cheng – Biography, Career, and Net Worth

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Eric Cheng’s financial story is inextricably linked to his bold professional decisions. As the creator of the underwater photography community Wetpixel, he not only established a professional meeting spot but also a platform that made money off of knowledge sharing long before social media platforms made communities a commodity. His visibility, credibility, and the basis for his financial independence were all greatly enhanced by this early endeavor.

When technology and creativity met in the drone revolution, his career took off. As DJI’s Director of Aerial Imaging, Cheng played a key role in showcasing drones as essential tools for journalism, filmmaking, and conservation rather than just as gadgets. He captured stunning footage for Good Morning America during this time by piloting a DJI Inspire 1 drone into Iceland’s Holuhraun volcanic eruption. In addition to being bold, this action was extremely profitable, enhancing Cheng’s reach and solidifying DJI’s standing. He was able to diversify his portfolio beyond photography by combining his earnings from executive positions at DJI with speaker fees from international conferences such as TEDx and SXSW.

Cheng’s position at Facebook Reality Labs, where he leads Immersive Media, has also increased his financial security. Here, he is tasked with creating the next generation of digital presence platforms, such as mixed reality and virtual reality, rather than just telling stories. The compensation packages that helped Silicon Valley technologists become multimillionaires have been remarkably similar to the compensation received from such executive roles, which frequently include stock grants. In addition to salary, his net worth is a reflection of long-term equity holdings, which are especially advantageous in a field where innovation is accelerating.

After extending his artistic abilities into media production, Cheng was nominated for an Emmy for immersive storytelling. His work on Tales by Light, which is currently available on Netflix, has raised his profile and brought in extra cash. His wealth is greatly increased by the lucrative speaking engagements, book deals, and brand partnerships that frequently result from his documentary appearances.

However, Eric Cheng’s wealth is more than just a financial record; it also represents his contributions to conservation and culture. He has contributed not only money but also time and experience by serving on the boards of Shark Savers and Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. In addition to being an adventure, his involvement in Operation Musashi, which was captured on camera by Whale Wars, served as a reminder to viewers that photography has a remarkable capacity to influence public opinion. Even though charitable endeavors might not immediately boost wealth, they do contribute to reputation capital, which in turn stimulates business prospects.

Cheng’s extraordinarily adaptable career is what makes him unique. In addition to his work in technology and photography, he plays the cello in concerts with Vienna Teng in major American cities. His reputation as a multifaceted creator is strengthened by his music, even though it is not his main source of income. People who exhibit such diversity attract investors, partners, and brands, which has significantly increased his marketability in industries where contracts are based on authenticity.

Although Cheng’s wealth may not be comparable to that of well-known photographers who have gone on to become international business owners, his financial trajectory is incredibly effective and remarkably sustainable when compared to peers in the photography and immersive media industries. Cheng’s net worth is based on a variety of pillars, including executive leadership, business endeavors, artistic endeavors, and international speaking engagements, in contrast to one-dimensional careers that wane with trends.

Similarities to tech pioneers like Chris Milk, who turned immersive media into massive endeavors, underscore the expanding trend in the industry: creatives who are proficient in both art and technology are rewarded more and more. Such occupations have a significant social impact because they encourage the next generation to view technology as a canvas rather than an escape. Cheng sets a particularly creative example for others with his lectures on drone ethics and marine ecosystems, which show how wealth and responsibility can coexist.

Eric Cheng’s financial success represents a change in the way net worth is defined in a larger cultural context. It’s not just about money; it’s also about influence, and that influence extends to public education, virtual reality storytelling, and marine conservation. In many respects, the public’s desire for genuine, daring, and intellectually demanding artists who can seamlessly blend technology and art is reflected in his estimated $10 million fortune.