The 5 Ss of Conservation Photography: Study, See, Storytell, Support, and Share

The place where conservation and photography meet is something I’ve pondered on for a while. How do we use our photography for meaningful conservation impact?

And perhaps more importantly, how do we plan and approach this concept, so that when in-location, we know what to do…so that we understand “the assignment” at hand?

It actually starts before the trip and before the first photograph is even taken. When thinking about “how to do conservation photography” I believe it comes down to something I'm terming the 5 Ss. Study, See, Storytell, Support, and Share. 

Here is a quick roadmap to the method:

1) Study – you have to understand the conservation issue by studying or researching the topic. This can happen prior to the trip, or during the trip when learning of something from local people, your guide, or otherwise. However, a little internet research ahead of time gives your brain time to think and ponder and plan.

2) See – you need to train your eye to see more than just a nice photo. Notice the issue, or the conflict, or the solution…notice tension: loss vs. hope, wild vs. human, fragile vs. resilient. While we may not immediately think of photographing the disturbance of habitat loss, or trash in the ocean, this is what I’m talking about.

3) Storytell – you need to be able to explain the situation and get people to pay attention and care via storytelling. Storytelling is an art, and it’s something you have to work on. Does the photo represent something? To quote a recent guest on my photography podcast. What are you trying to get people to feel? These are examples of the things you should be thinking about to maximize storytelling ability in the photo, but for social media, your words count immensely, as well. Speak from the heart—your authenticity is your best voice.

4) Support – try and connect with other people or organizations doing conservation work in the area, to then create community. Create a community with your allies, as well as with those that see and interact with your work (social media, despite its challenges, is powerful at this). Ultimately, find ways to support others with your photography.

5) Share – how you will share all this? The obvious one today is via social media, and it’s not a bad way to do so. However, it’s not limited to social…submitting photos to local conservation orgs with permission for them to use, writing online articles either on your own site/blog or offering to write a blog for an NGO, doing presentations for friends, for your local library, travel club, conservation group, etc. The list goes on 😊, and there are new, creative ways to share emerging all the time. 

If you have ideas on ways to integrate conservation into photography, I am all ears! Email me back!

Hopefully this little roadmap of the 5 Ss helps, and I’ll continue to develop this concept, as we need it more than ever.

Yours in conservation,

Court