Conservation Photography Lab

1-7 FEBRUARY 2025 | Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa

The second edition of the Conservation Photography Lab, held from February 1st to 8th in Sodwana Bay, South Africa, marked the convergence of efforts to strengthen conservation storytelling across Africa.

Matabeleland Youth Conservation Society (MYCS) Director, Nomsa Nkomo, had been developing a photography lab tailored for MYCS with NEWF over the last few months, while National Geographic Society explorer Aiita separately approached Nature Environment Wildlife Filmmakers (NEWF) with a similar request to provide a training opportunity for a cohort of Ugandan photographers to be selected by Terra-Naturewild Conservation (TNC) which he co-founded. Recognising the shared objectives, these efforts were merged into a single, powerful program designed to serve both communities’ needs.

The Conservation Storytelling Lab exceeded my expectations. It was a true testament to the pan-African focus and impact of our community. The bringing together of peer mentors and storytellers from three African countries with numerous experiences, motivations and backgrounds resulted in great stories being developed. I’m very grateful to the team that made it possible after a long time of ideation and planning.

// Nomsa Nkomo
ornithologist and Newf FEllow

A collaborative vision brought to life between the MYCS and TNC - supported by NEWF and Africa Refocused - this exchange lab hosted at eKhaya Storytelling, Research and Dive Centre (eKhaya) brought together early-career conservationists and photography enthusiasts from Uganda and Zimbabwe. With the primary goal of fostering a community of skilled photographic communicators who can co-create and effectively convey the complex relationship between people and nature through multimedia storytelling, the six-day experience blended theoretical learning with hands-on field practice.

The cohort had an opportunity to refine their technical photography skills, develop a deeper conservation mindset, and harness the power of visual storytelling to highlight environmental challenges, drive awareness, and inspire action. The lab was part of a broader strategy to build a strong network of conservation communicators capable of bridging scientific knowledge with public engagement through impactful imagery.

For more information, please contact NEWF:
connect@newf.co.za