Welcome to Part 4 of our GWC Ambassador series! In this post, we feature four more talented photographers in this program, learn about their inspiring work, and talk about some of the challenges in nature photography.
Make sure to check out the rest of the series on our blog.
Featured in this blog:
Stephanie Foote
1. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
I’m a visual storyteller especially interested in projects with a focus on wildlife conservation, ecosystem restoration and human stories about our relationship with nature. Natural history is a subject that captures my imagination like no other and I cannot remember a time when I have not been filled with a sense of wonder and fascination for the living things we share our planet with. I first picked up a camera in primary school. As a kid who felt like they didn’t really fit in, using a camera was like my key to the world. It gave me the confidence to pursue my interest in nature.
When I was in college, I got my heart set on a career in wildlife photography and film. And in 2017, I graduated from Falmouth University with a first class bachelor’s degree in Marine and Natural History Photography. Since then I have worked on assignments with The Canid Project, Shepreth Hedgehog Hospital, the United Nations and the National Geographic Society.
My projects include photographing the critically important work of rangers on the frontline of wildlife conservation in Kyrgyzstan, documenting endemic species in the Galapagos Archipelago, filming the rescue and rehabilitation of European hedgehogs and filming the voyage of a boat made out of recycled flip flops on Lake Victoria in Uganda.
2. Why did you apply to the Ambassador Program? What are you hoping to achieve?
I applied to the Ambassador program because I struggle with imposter syndrome. I sometimes doubt my abilities and can miss out on opportunities as a result of this. Also, when you are a freelancer you need to constantly build your network and develop your skill set to maintain a steady income. Girls Who Click seemed like an excellent opportunity for both networking and professional development.
3. Who is your mentor? How has the program helped you?
My mentor is Katie Schuler, a co-founder of Coral and Oak Studio. Katie’s films about pangolins are a huge inspiration to me and during the mentorship she has helped me to build confidence and learn new skills. Being a GWC Ambassador has allowed me to connect with a community of like-minded individuals and gain confidence in my professional life.
4. What are you up to now? Anything you’re really excited about?
At the start of 2021, I relocated to Nairobi, Kenya for my work with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). It has been a difficult time and moving abroad during a pandemic is no easy task. Like so many across the world, I am separated from my family and loved ones with no option to see them while international travel bans are in place. However, I have been extremely fortunate to relocate to such a beautiful country. Since living here I have been able to pursue lots of interesting projects close to home and learn about the fascinating Kenyan wildlife.
The next decade has been declared by the United Nations as the Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. So I am excited to be working on stories with the local community in Nairobi, where youth groups are restoring urban areas through litter picking, tree planting and creating green spaces. I am also enjoying a personal project where I have been working on documenting a local tea farm and their beautiful garden which attracts an incredible diversity of wildlife.
Lea Milde
1. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
I´m a wildlife ecologist, conservationist, and self-taught wildlife and landscape photographer from Germany. My photography journey started back in 2013 when I went to Uganda for a 5-months internship. Right before leaving Germany, I bought my first camera so I could capture all the natural wonders of this country. I knew nothing about photography, let alone how a camera works, so I basically let my camera do the job. However, I really enjoyed taking photos, especially capturing all the wild animals.
Back in Germany, I barely touched my camera for a few years. Wildlife is not so easy to photograph in Europe, and I just moved to the Netherlands to start my career in wildlife ecology and conservation. Luckily, it was these science-related studies that brought me back to photography. Through my studies, I got an incredible chance to work with wildlife all around the world, my camera always being my loyal companion.
Eventually, I upgraded my equipment to a new set-up that took my photography to a new level! Finally, I was able to capture what fascinates me the most: wild animals in their natural habitat. Since then, I try to spend every free minute outside in order to capture everything wild; from birds in my backyard, to iconic wildlife in Africa and fascinating landscapes all over the globe.
2. Why did you apply to the Ambassador Program? What are you hoping to achieve?
Before I found out about GWC and the Ambassador program, I felt a bit lost in my photography journey. I wanted to do more with my photos, give them meaning instead of simply piling them up on my hard drive. However, I did not want to choose between a career in wildlife ecology or wildlife photography, thus I started to think about combining my two passions.
One day I was scrolling through my Instagram feed when I came across a post from GWC and the Ambassador program. That was the first time that I heard about GWC and when I started to look into the program, I knew that this would be my chance to find my right path. I also hoped to get in touch with other creative and like-minded girls from all around the world, because to be honest, my photography network was very male-dominated till then.
3. Who is your mentor? How has the program helped you so far?
My mentor is Janet Kleyn. Janet is a professional wildlife photographer and nature and trails guide from South Africa, and she is now managing a photographic concession in Mashatu Game Reserve in Botswana. People who know me know that she´s the perfect match for me. We have monthly zoom meetings, and she prepares different assignments for me each month that I can work on. For example, last month we worked on high- and low-key photography. She is challenging and motivating me every month and I’m learning so much from her. I´m really happy to have her by my side.
Also, thanks to the program I connected with so many different and talented young women from all around the world, and every single one of them is a true inspiration for me. Still can’t believe I am part of this!
4. What are you up to now? Anything you’re really excited about?
I am currently writing my master’s thesis about how different environmental factors influence the fecundity of red kites and black kites in eastern Germany. I also landed my first proper job as an ecologist/biologist in northern Germany. So, my thesis and job are keeping me quite busy. Photography-wise I´m currently exploring my new home, especially the local nature areas, and I try to capture everything wild around here.
Jo Davenport
1. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
I am a wildlife videographer and photographer, based in London, England. I am in my element whilst surrounded by nature, observing and learning from wildlife – filming and photography enable me to share those experiences in a meaningful way.
Over the past few years, I have used my spare time to work with wildlife organisations and non-profits, showcasing their conservation efforts through images and videos. Going forward, I am determined to turn my passion for nature and visual storytelling into a full-time pursuit by creating and sharing powerful, visually compelling stories.
2. Why did you apply to the Ambassador Program? What are you hoping to achieve?
I have found that whilst working long hours in a different industry, it is easy to put your dreams and goals on the backburner and let months (or even years) pass in the blink of an eye. This pushed me to apply to the Girls Who Click program – I felt it could help guide me through the progress of achieving my goal of entering the industry professionally: helping me to focus on next steps, giving me accountability and the constructive criticism on my work that I was craving.
I wanted the opportunity to learn from experts, really push myself and to join a community of like-minded filmmakers and photographers. Girls Who Click has not disappointed!
3. Who is your mentor? How has the program helped you?
Esther Horvath, my mentor, is an incredible inspiration – she is a documentary photographer who focuses on showcasing the work of scientists in the polar regions. The Girls Who Click team did a brilliant job of matching us up; we share a very similar background: both having had a different career path before pursuing photography/filmmaking.
Esther has been a huge source of advice and motivation for me over the last few months. I have already learnt a lot, from experimenting with different techniques, to carving out time to pursue personal projects, or invaluable advice with editing photo stories. She pushes me to be my best and I am incredibly grateful for all her support!
4. What are you up to now? Anything you’re really excited about?
At the moment I am excited to be working on a project about conflict between fishing communities and grey seals in the UK, exploring how rapid growth of colonies – on the face of it conservation success – creates novel challenges. They are amazing creatures, and the UK is home to about 50% of the world’s grey seal population, so is crucial to their long-term survival.
Tamara Blazquez
I have also gotten emails about how people looking at my photo have started seeing vultures in a different light and are more interested in their conservation, which I think is just awesome and very humbling. It has always been a goal of mine to inspire people to act on nature’s and animals’ behalf though my photography, and I am glad I was able to spread some of the love I feel for birds of prey and vultures around the world through this photograph, and maybe helped a tiny bit in their conservation by inspiring some people.
1. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
I am a conservation photographer and environmental educator from Mexico City in Mexico. I have been doing photography for almost 10 years now and have always focused my work on helping nature conservation.
For the last 4 years I have been working on a project called Mexico City’s Wildlife, aimed at teaching citizens, especially children about the wildlife that still survives in the forests, wetlands and other ecosystems in Mexico City and how they can aid in their conservation. The project is done all through photography, science and workshops at schools as well as public photographic exhibitions.
I am also an environmental and animal rights activist. Right now I am a volunteer and spokesperson for the “Xochimilco Vivo” collective fighting to save one of Mexico City’s last wetlands: Xochimilco.
2. Why did you apply to GWC? What are you hoping to achieve?
I applied to GWC in hopes of getting my career out there. As a woman, and even worse a Mexican woman, making it in the nature photography industry is really complicated as work opportunities are slim or practically non-existent, and our work as women tends to be overlooked by fellow male colleagues and other institutions. So I wanted to learn how to get past these obstacles.
Sadly due to personal and economical issues, related to these hurdles and now also the pandemic, I was forced to leave the Ambassador program and photography for a while in order to help out my family financially.
3. Who is your mentor? How has the program helped you?
My mentor was Diana Caballero Alvarado. She is a conservation photographer living in Veracruz, Mexico, she has been focusing her work in giving a voice to native bees and their relationship with the environment. During the mentorships, we were working on my storytelling and other techniques. Although our ways of telling stories and making photographs are different and don’t quite “click” with one another, I learned a lot from her and will forever be grateful for this opportunity.
4. What are you up to now? Anything you’re really excited about?
Right now I have gone back to working a 9-5 job, at least for a while to get back on my feet and help out my family financially. I hope to resume photography and my projects when everything is calmer in the near future.
See more of Tamara’s work here.
Thanks for reading! Stay tuned for the next installment of this series.
Responses have been edited for length and clarity
Written by Alice Sun
Growing up, Alice’s dream was to become a National Geographic photographer. This passion led her to spend much of her high school years photographing and sharing stories of wildlife in her own backyard, which earned her a spot in the 2016 NANPA High School Scholarship Program. She then went on to pursue a degree in environmental biology and a graduate certificate in environmental visual communication, sharpening her skills and building a foundation for a career in visual storytelling. Today, she is a freelance science communicator and conservation storyteller based in Vancouver, Canada. Inspiring young people to pursue the same dream she had is something that Alice is passionate about, and why she’s extremely be on the Girls Who Click team! Visit Alice’s website (alicesun.ca) to see the stories she has told over the years.