My advice
Me on my first international assignment for the United Nations © Sofi Lundin.
I sometimes get people asking me for advice about working as a nature photographer or filmmaker, and though I still have a lot to learn myself I wanted to share some of the advice I have received over the years to support anyone who wishes to learn about this realm of work.
The most important piece of advice I can give, is do not give up. When I graduated from university I received many rejections from job applications, and I felt like working as a visual storyteller and earning money at the same time was an impossible idea. However as one of my favourite film producers Ava DuVernay once said, if they don’t let you in, build your own door. I found that when you pursue your own personal projects and produce films for your own audience on social media, people come to you and want to collaborate. I also think it can be easy to get so focused on an end goal that you forget a career is a journey. So don’t forget to enjoy the moment you are in.
Advice from friends
Start where you are and create something with what you have. Far too many people say that they will start creating once they have access to cameras like REDs or CN20s. But if you just use what you have, you will usually find it leads to opportunities to work with better gear. Often you can also submit what you have created with more affordable cameras to opportunities like Jackson Wild or Wildscreen, which will help you on your career journey.
- Faith Musembi
Networking
Networking is an important part of any visual storytellers journey, and it can lead to some amazing opportunities. Maybe that could be access to an elusive species, or an opportunity to shoot for a new client. The events featured below offer brilliant opportunities to connect with others who share your interest in the natural world and to gain creative inspiration. Think ‘what can I do to help you’ not ‘what can they do for me’!
JACKSON WILD Summit
An international wildlife film festival which is an excellent event for networking and setting up collaborations. In 2021, they hope to host a covid-conscious in-person event in the USA, in addition to a strand of virtual programming. More information to come in the spring of 2021!
WILDSCREEN
A UK-based wildlife film festival which usually takes place in Bristol the home of the BBC Natural History Unit and many independent natural history film production companies. Due to the pandemic last year's event was virtual so it was possible to attend from all over the world.
NEWF
The Nature, Environment and Wildlife Filmmakers Congress (NEWF) provides a platform in Africa for networking. It is hosted in Durban, South Africa over 4 days, but last year was hosted virtually due to the pandemic.
Adobe max
This was virtual last year due to covid and comes free with an Adobe subscription. The event provides an array of training in Adobe software and inspiring talks from top film producers and photographers. In 2021 a free virtual event will be held Oct 26–28.
GDT Festival
This nature photography festival takes place in Germany. I haven’t personally attended this festival but I have friends who have. There are lectures by wildlife photographers from all over the world. If you are based nearby in Europe it is worth attending for the networking opportunities, they also have a photography competition.
EXPLORE WEEKEND
EXPLORE, The Royal Geographic Society’s expedition and fieldwork planning weekend is an incredible event for anyone with a passion for adventure and the great outdoors. The event attracts geographers, field researchers, writers, expedition leaders and biologists. You can sign up for a series of workshops to learn from experts.
Opportunities for women
Historically nature photography has been a field dominated by men. These opportunities are helping to diversify nature photography and film.
HER WILD VISION
A website created by Jaymi Heimbuch and Morgan Heim which showcases the work and expertise of female and female-identifying storytellers specialising in nature related topics. Applications to be listed with them open a few times each year, it is free to apply.
Girls who click
This charity founded by Suzi Esterhas provides workshops for young women and has a mentorship programme for women entering the realm of nature photography professionally.
SHE CLICKS
This free to join community was set up to encourage and support female photographers of all levels of experience, from novices using a phone to experienced pros handling top-end kit. While the group started in the UK, the membership is now global.
Learning
Wild idea lab
A paid membership community platform where you can find specialised educational resources, live events, and community networking all in one place, and all designed specifically for the needs of conservation visual storytellers.
NatureTTL
A website focused on all things nature photography, their articles include interviews with professionals, tutorials on photographic techniques, reviews of camera equipment and more. All free to access online!
Jackson wild media lab
A science filmmaking workshop. Media Lab fellows will work with industry-leading mentors to gain hands-on film making experience, learn the science of science communication, get a crash course using professional-grade tools and equipment and expand professional networks. (In 2021 it is only open to a few countries due to the pandemic but in normal times it is international)
Podcasts
Podcasts offer an array of valuable information for free, making them an excellent tool for learning and helping you to improve your nature photography and filmmaking. For detailed information about my favourite podcasts read this blog I wrote for NatureTTL.
Recommended reading/to watch
Funding opportunities
This article by James Borrell provides a nice list of funding opportunities
Other opportunities
International League of Conservation Photographers
The International League of Conservation Photographers is a U.S. based non-profit organization whose mission is to support environmental and cultural conservation through ethical photography and filmmaking. They open for emerging league applications once each year and I highly recommend applying to this.
KMG Agency
Katie-Marie Goodwright puts filmmakers in touch with production companies looking for talent on the ground. Being a member can open up new job opportunities. Once you have a website and natural history portfolio be sure to apply. She is also planning to set up diversity scholarships for under represented groups in wildlife film.
Diversify photo
Diversify Photo is a community of BIPOC and non-western photographers, editors, and visual producers working to break with the predominantly colonial and patriarchal eye through which history and the mass media has seen and recorded the images of our time. Their international online database is used by editors at major media outlets seeking to diversify their rosters of visual storytellers. They also create networking, exhibiting, speaking, community-building, and resource-sharing opportunities for their members. Membership application is free.
Film Freeway
A website listing film festivals across the world. You can use this site to enter your films into competitions gaining recognition and networking opportunities.