GWC founder Suzi Eszterhas (Suzi Eszterhas Wildlife Photography) wrote “[The article is] about women in wildlife photography and why I founded Girls Who Click. With the current situation across the globe, it is doubtful that anyone will be in their hotels to read it. But I am still so pleased that this kind of magazine would be interested in the issue enough to ask me to write about it. That means that our awareness campaigns are making a difference, and though we have had to cancel recent workshops, I remain so hopeful and proud of this little organization and what we will continue to accomplish.”
GWC was featured in Sierra Magazine. In an interview with GWC founder Suzi Eszterhas, Sierra Magazine dove deep into why GWC was founded, what we do, and why the work is important for the next generation of female photographers.
As Suzi mentions, the workshops are not just about teaching photography, there are about learning to see and learning to be. She says in the interview “Confidence is huge, particularly with teen girls. We don’t just teach photography. We try to be good role models and strong women. Strong is the new sexy. We’re trying to impart that strength on our girls.”
You can read the full Sierra Magazine interview at SierraClub.org!
SierraMagazine is the storytelling branch of the Sierra Club. It is a “national print and digital magazine publishing award-winning journalism and cutting-edge photography, art, and video dedicated to protecting the natural world.” We are proud to be a part of the magazine!
You don’t wake up one morning and decide to become a nature photographer. It starts with a passion – often stemming from childhood. And it includes years of practice, failed attempts to make beautiful photographs, and lots of frustration. But with persistence can come triumph, as it did for Suzi Eszterhas, founder of Girls Who Click. In this podcast, hosted by Wilderkids, we learn about Suzi’s journey and what inspired her to start Girls Who Click.
September was a busy month for Girls Who Click! Workshops that spanned the nation were offered simultaneously, reaching teen girls who have one thing in common – a love for nature photography.
Karen Kasmauski offered a workshop at the Kenilworth Aquatic Park and Gardens in Washington DC. The ladies got a lucky break in the weather and practiced photography skills and met with a National Park Service Ranger.
Karen Kasmauski is a filmmaker, photographer, project manager and educator. During her two decades as a National Geographic photographer, Karen produced 25 major stories for the magazine. Karen is a senior fellow of the International League of Conservation Photographers.
I want to be a photographer and this program encourages girls to learn more in-depth strategies about the art and practice of photography. -Samantha
In Texas, a group of young ladies braved the rain to spend the day with Kathy Adams Clark at the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory. They learned about conservation photography and the unique challenges one faces while photographing migrating hummingbirds.
Kathy is a photographer, naturalist, and teacher. Her goal is to promote photography and the natural world through teaching. When people understand photography they can enjoy it for a lifetime. When people experience the natural world they will work to preserve it for future generations.
…We not only took photos … but also learned about careers in science…This program really helped cement for me that the science field is where I belong. – Kathryn
Photo Credit: Stacy Frank
And on the west coast, a large group of teens spent the day in Moss Landing, California, with wildlife photographer and GWC founder, Suzi Eszterhas. Not only did the girls learn what it’s like to be a female in a male-dominated career, they practiced their skills in a reserve and also from a boat on Elkhorn Slough.
Suzi Eszterhas is best known for her work documenting newborn animals and family life in the wild. Her photographs have been published in over 100 magazine cover and feature stories in publications such as TIME, Smithsonian, BBC Wildlife, GEO, Popular Photography, Ranger Rick, and National Geographic Kids.
Dear Suzi, Thank you for the amazing photography workshop! I had so much fun and learned so much! I will never forget it! – Julia
In October, GWC led a members-only event at the California Academy of Sciences with Suzi Eszterhas. Not only did the girls learn about photography, but they met with staff scientists, got some behind-the-scenes tours of incredible specimens, and got to take a special tour of the living roof.
Teens can get a bad rap. But this is a tale of a group of compassionate teen girls who started the day as strangers, learned and shared experiences together, and left as friends. Inspired to take a nature photography workshop from world-renown wildlife photographer, Suzi Eszterhas, young women from a range of 150 miles gathered together in Moss Landing, California. Of course they learned about photo composition. But they also came away with tales of the grit that it takes to become a professional nature photographer. Perhaps most importantly, they left with a deep understanding of how photographs can tell a tale and encourage people around the world to make a difference.
