Conservation

My passion for nature photography means that I understand how important ecosystems are. Seeing these incredible sights and animals stirred me to do my part in nature and wildlife conservation. I chose to connect with the Great Plains Foundation who are taking an unique and effective approach to conservation. They are encouraging conservation tourism in conjunction with the education of local communities. This enables them to raise funds in the short term and also preserve the environment for the future.

My first foray into the world of conservation was through fundraising. Since I was still a student I was unable to volunteer for large periods of time during the school year. I found a way to contribute to the cause through the sale of prints on my charity website. After some time, I partnered with a local business to exhibit my images. The success of this event motivated me to seek a partnership with a larger organisation. I was able to partner with the Singapore American Club, and exhibited my photos there for over a month. The sum total of funds raised through the sale of prints was US$21,000.

After my success in fundraising, I wanted to contribute further. I spent a month in Africa, part of which was spent in Kenya, educating the local Masai Children. The children went to school during the academic year, but lacked resources such as study materials and stationary that would allow them to study outside of class. The Maa Trust, where I taught the children, had set up a summer camp where there were revision materials for exams, books, and stationary. Along with traditional subjects such as math and science, the children learned about the importance of conservation and its role in the local industry.

My latest conservation project is a photobook called Survivors. Survivors celebrates the uniqueness and beauty of endangered and vulnerable wildlife. Whether it is habitat loss, hunting, or global warming, the animals in Survivors must fight to survive. In Survivors, I hope to share the importance of protecting these animals who are on the brink of extinction and evoke an emotional reaction from the reader. Although the plight of animals facing extinction is well known, few people are moved enough to take action - with Survivors I aim to change that. More information on the photobook, as well as updates on its progress, are available on the Kickstarter page.

I hope to hold two exhibitions in 2020 featuring some of the most powerful images from the photobook. As with my previous projects, all the proceeds of sales from the photobook and the exhibitions will be donated to the Great Plains Foundation.