WildPhotos: new nature photography event in Bristol announced

Bristol-based environmental charity, Wildscreen and Wildlife Photographer of the Year partner to host WildPhotos – a new one-day event featuring the world’s best nature photographers.

A world-class line-up of speakers will come together for a unique programme of wildlife and conservation photography talks hosted at Bristol Aquarium on 13 October 2024.

The event headliners are Charlie Hamilton James and Thomas P Peschak. In his keynote, “Amazon, A Journey from The Andes to the Atlantic” the National Geographic photographer and marine biologist, Peschak, will share his 396 day journey following the course of the Amazon River and its tributaries across South America. Charlie Hamilton James, world renowned National Geographic photographer, filmmaker and author, will share his latest project “End Times” which explores his evolution from photojournalism into an artistic exploration of global environmental collapse and how we consume information about the natural world.   

The programme will also feature a series of sessions made up of 20-minute lightning talks by world-class nature photographers showcasing their stunning imagery and the stories of their capture.

The sessions are:

• Two Worlds featuring photographers and filmmakers Evgenia Arbugaeva, Peter Ndung’u and Joris van Alphen as they share how they work in both worlds of stills and film.
• Under our Feet where Ingo Arndt, Dhritiman Mukherjee and Chien Lee will share their passion for the smaller and unloved species that are critical to the health of wildplaces, wildlife and humans.
• The Conservation Narrative which will explore how conservation storytelling creates a visual narrative, with photography as evidence, of what is happening to wildlife and wild places as well as highlighting solutions. Jaime Rojo, Morgan Heim and Hannah Reyes Morales join as speakers. The session is supported by the International League of Conservation Photographers (iLCP).
• Water Worlds where underwater specialists Justin Gilligan, Shane Gross and Tony Wu will share their experiences across multiple environments from coral reefs to vernal pools to open oceans.

Completing the programme is the panel How to Pitch Stories and Fund Photography which will discuss the increasingly competitive world of editorial photography, answering how to pitch a story and how to get funding for long-term projects. Panellists are: National Geographic Society Vice President for Storytelling Grants and Programs Rachael Strecher, Sabine Meyer, Photography Director, for Audubon, Richard Edwards, Head of Content, WWF-UK, Britta Jaschinski, freelance photographer, Alexa Keefe, Managing Editor, Photography, for National Geographic magazine and Robin Moore, Vice President, Communications and Marketing for re:wild.

The full WildPhotos programme is available here.

A large-scale outdoor photography exhibition of the speakers awe-inspiring nature photography will be open to the public from the 2- 21 October on College Green, Bristol. The exhibition is sponsored by Steppes Travel.

Kathy Moran current Jury Chair for the Natural History Museum, London’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year and formerly National Geographic Magazine's Deputy Director of Photography, will produce and host the event. Moran commented: “I’m honoured to be producing and hosting WildPhotos this year, particularly in this, the 60th anniversary of Wildlife Photographer of the Year and just ahead of the world renowned Wildscreen Festival. I look forward to some lively discussions with some of the world’s most talented photographers working today.”

Lucie Muir, CEO of Wildscreen, commented: “As the home of natural history production, it’s fitting that WildPhotos will be coming to Bristol, bringing world-class inspiring photography to the city ahead ahead of our internationally acclaimed Wildscreen Festival. It’s never been more important to highlight the beauty of the natural world and the danger it faces from the threats of climate change and biodiversity loss. We hope that delegates will find the images and discussions inspiring and that it will spark ideas that create positive change.”

Pauline Robert, Head of Wildlife Photographer of the Year Programme, Natural History Museum said: “For sixty years, Wildlife Photographer of the Year has shown the power of photography to inspire awe and wonder and create advocates for nature. As a part of our anniversary celebrations, we're proud to partner with WildPhotos to gather, connect and encourage talented nature and environmental photographers from around the world.” 

WildPhotos is made possible with the support of Headline Sponsor MPB, the leading online platform for used photo and video. Matt Barker, MPB CEO, SAID: “MPB is dedicated to opening up the world of visual storytelling in a way that’s good for the people and the planet. Partnering with Wildscreen amplifies important conversations about the natural world and showcases the incredible skill of visual storytellers. With circularity at our core, MPB promotes sustainability, diversity and inclusion in everything we do. We’re delighted to sponsor WildPhotos for the first time, amplifying our shared values and purpose-led mission to inform and inspire action about the environmental threats facing our planet.”  

A large-scale outdoor photography exhibition of the speakers awe-inspiring nature photography will be open to the public from the 2- 21 October on College Green, Bristol. The exhibition is sponsored by Steppes Travel.

WildPhotos is aimed at professional and amateur photographers, industry thought leaders, photography suppliers, and conservationists.

This is a hybrid event, with both in person and online tickets available, opening this world-class line-up of speakers to a global audience.