A Grateful Lens: Using Photography to Support Wildlife Conservation
The endangered whooping crane whose story I share in the Fall 2024 edition of PhotoWild magazine
As I reflect on my journey as a wildlife photographer, I am filled with gratitude. What started as a deep appreciation for the natural world has evolved into a career that allows me to directly contribute to wildlife conservation. This stage in my career feels like a culmination of passion, purpose, and partnership—and I couldn’t be more excited to share how my work is making a difference.
Crossing Pathways and Vanishing: Collaborative Conservation
One of the most meaningful aspects of my career is being part of the Canadian Conservation Photographers Collective (CCPC). Through this incredible group of storytellers, I have had the opportunity to work on two pivotal campaigns: Crossing Pathways and Vanishing.
A grizzly and her second year cub crossing a busy highway. The Crossing Pathways campaign highlights the issues when wildlife intersects with human transportation, providing solutions to some of these challenges
Crossing Pathways highlights the critical intersection of wildlife and transportation. This campaign brings attention to the ways roads, railways, and other infrastructure disrupt wildlife movement, leading to habitat fragmentation and often tragic collisions. Through my photography, I have documented the challenges faced by species navigating these barriers, from deer attempting to cross busy highways to caribou following disrupted migration routes. The goal is to advocate for solutions like wildlife overpasses and underpasses, which can help restore connectivity and ensure safer journeys for both animals and humans.
The critically endangered woodland caribou despite 40 years of conservation efforts their numbers have not rebounded significantly
Vanishing tackles an equally urgent issue: species at risk of disappearing forever. Documenting the Boreal forest and its inhabitants has brought this campaign close to my heart. My work here feels both humbling and urgent, a reminder that every species plays a vital role in the intricate web of life. Sharing these stories through my lens not only raises awareness but inspires action.
Conservation Through Storytelling
Beyond the work with CCPC, I’ve recently had the honor to start writing conservation articles for PhotoWild Magazine. This opportunity allows me to combine my photography with storytelling and research—a powerful combination in the fight for conservation. Writing these pieces has deepened my understanding of the challenges wildlife face and the solutions that can drive change. It’s also been a rewarding way to connect with others who share a commitment to protecting our planet.
The long-billed curlew a species of concern who may become threatened or endangered due to habitat loss.
Photography and storytelling serve as bridges between worlds. They connect the untamed wilderness with the human heart, reminding us of our shared responsibility to protect what remains wild. When I capture a moment in nature—a fox darting through the snow or an eagle soaring high—I am capturing more than beauty. I am preserving a narrative that calls for action, conservation, and respect for the natural world.
In a world where environmental challenges grow increasingly complex, the ability to evoke emotion through images and words feels more important than ever. Every article I write and every image I share is a step toward fostering understanding and empathy, which are the cornerstones of conservation.
A great gray owl highly. Owls are highly to human distrubances to their habitat.
The Power of Connection
I’ve always believed that photography is more than capturing a moment; it’s about building connections. Whether leading photography workshops, mentoring aspiring photographers, or engaging with my community through print sales, I’ve seen firsthand how art can inspire action. It’s a privilege to use my work as a catalyst for change, turning awe into advocacy.
Grizzlies while abundant in some places are of concern in many areas and have been extirpated from large regions of their original range.
These connections also deepen my own appreciation for the world around me. Sharing the thrill of spotting a rare species or witnessing the quiet resilience of nature in the face of adversity enriches my life as much as it inspires others. It is in these moments of shared wonder that I feel most aligned with my purpose.
Connecting to wildlife and understanding its struggles can get people engaged in conservation
Looking Ahead
As I prepare for upcoming projects, including the Great Bear Rainforest tour in 2025, I am reminded that the journey is just as important as the destination. Each photograph, each article, each workshop—they’re all steps toward a greater goal: ensuring that the wild places and creatures we cherish remain for future generations.
To everyone who has supported my work, whether by joining a workshop, purchasing a print, or simply sharing in the wonder of nature through my images, thank you. Together, we’re making a difference, one story at a time.
Working with a client in the field
As my work continues to evolve, I remain committed to using my lens as a tool for change. The challenges are vast, but so is the potential for impact. With every photograph I take, I am reminded of the enduring power of visual storytelling to shape a better future for our planet and its inhabitants.