Into the Unknown with Josh Deleenheer

A founding member of the Canadian Conservation Photographers Collective (CCPC), Josh DeLeenheer has spent a lifetime nurturing a passion for the natural world. Raised in British Columbia, the beauty of wild spaces inspired Josh to become an activist, advocate, and artist. Using photography as a creative tool, Josh hopes to bridge the gap between education and inspiration, highlighting the impact of humankind on the animals and environments around us.

Leading up to this interview, I was lucky enough to spend time chatting with Josh about why he does what he does, and how nature has woven its way throughout his life. Join us now, as we journey Into the Unknown in search of a story at the heart of conservation.

You grew up in one of the country’s most verdant and biologically diverse landscapes. In what ways did a childhood in British Columbia foster a sense of environmental stewardship, and how does photography allow you to express the love of nature you discovered in your youth?

I grew up primarily in the northern interior of British Columbia, ranging from the west coast to the border of Alberta. Much of that time was spent in wild spaces where the impacts of human activity were still minimally felt. Our best family vacations were to Prince Rupert and Haida Gwaii, which were foreign and extraordinary beyond my imagining. We saw an abundance and diversity of life that I have seldom experienced in my life. Those memories and the profound connection with the natural environment that I developed inspired me to focus on conservation, which ultimately lead me to photography.

I chose photography as a medium to express my passion for conservation. Whether we live in rural communities or urban metropolises, we are surrounded by the remnants of nature, struggling to survive despite our constant disturbances. My challenge is to seek out the conservation stories that best represent the impacts of human activities.

In my opinion, extraordinary conservation photography is a balance between art and science, with the goal to capture and project the beauty of nature and relay the science that informs the subject. The story of an image is often as important as the image itself, but the greater context that science can provide, informs the audience of the complexities of the subject and the consequences of our actions.

Whether it’s capturing the visceral realities of activism, exposing the stark truths of human industry, or documenting the compelling science of conservation, why is visual story-telling so important?

Visual story-telling has the ability to relay a considerable amount of information in a way that elicits powerful human emotions. We are continually bombarded with an overwhelming amount of information, little of which we can retain. Social media has conditioned us to casually flip through visual content, paying minimal attention to the substance. When captured thoughtfully and presented well, an image causes us to pause and reflect on the subject.

A beautiful image captivates the audience and reminds us of the majesty of the world. A tragic scene draws attention to the brutality of nature and human activities. Both are important tools to raise awareness of our connection to the natural environment and the fragility of ecosystems and their inhabitants.

Supplementing a photograph with science-based information helps to provide context to the story and inform the observer of the nuances that compose the topic. The primary objective of conservation photography though is to motivate the audience to act meaningfully on their emotions. It’s essential to provide a path towards a goal so that the viewer isn’t left feeling helpless.

Conservation photography can encapsulate the immediate present, the distant past, and numerous possible futures. With so many important elements at play, how can photographers develop a distinctive style while still highlighting the core tenets of a conservation campaign?

Photographers approach conservation photography from multiple perspectives and their work reflects their experiences, values, and artistic intentions. Experiences influence a person’s perspective and motivations. Values may determine the subjects that photographers choose to capture and the effort that they exert in their work. Artistry is demonstrated in the style that they apply to their images, which is developed through practice and applied preferences.

There are many paths to becoming a conservation photographer. Some are first drawn to the artistic expression of the medium while others are motivated to document the compelling issues affecting the natural world. In some cases, a person’s career may expose them to conservation issues, leading them to begin capturing images that illustrate the problems they observe. Many scientists and journalists gravitate towards the genre, some of whom can incorporate their photography into their careers. Others take up photography as a hobby and develop a passion through their experiences.

At the heart of conservation photography is the high value with which the photographers regard nature and wildlife. That appreciation is a primary motivator for those wanting to protect it using their imagery as a catalyst for action. How photographers choose to focus their efforts can vary considerably, with some preferring to document the oceans and marine species while other invest their time and attention to the insects and invertebrates that underpin many ecosystems intricate connectivity. Underwater, macro, drone, and action photography are among the many methods photographers employ to capture the multitude of subjects inclusive to the genre, with some photographers utilizing many of the available processes. Their choices represent their interests, which indicate the subjects they value most.

The artistic expression a photographer applies to their work, as with all forms of photography, occurs during both the shooting and editing phases. The composition and the effects applied in post-production are developed through training and experimentation, which evolve over time as photographers apply new skills and personal preferences to their work. Some choose to maintain a strong sense of realism, striving to preserve their experience as they recall it, while others take more creative license and produce images that exhibit their personalities and artistic vision.

One of the core principles of conservation photography is to accurately portray the subjects as observed, meaning that the final images should not misrepresent the reality within the context of the image. There is ample room for personal expression providing that boundary is not crossed. Photographers that choose to ignore the tenet risk losing credibility with peers, organizations like the CCPC, and publications.

Photography can be a powerful tool to guide the hearts and minds of people overwhelmed by the sheer scale of global environmental concerns. Which of your photos inspires you to keep striving for change, and why is the image so personally meaningful?

In my work, I attempt to capture images that tell a complete story that encapsulates the emotions, struggles, and complexities of the subject. It’s rare that I achieve that goal but on those infrequent occasions I feel most fulfilled with the images I produce.

More often than not it takes a series of images to build a narrative that visually represents a conservation topic. That’s generally not a problem, particularly when you have the time and space to develop the story. Supporting the imagery with scientific knowledge provides further clarification and broader understanding of the topic. The cost of multiple images and extensive text is lower viewership, with fewer people willing to devote the time to peruse the content. Although the risk is often worthwhile for many subjects, the value of a complete image is its ability to relay a significant amount of information in an instant.

I only have a small number of images that are fulsome to the extent that I endeavour to capture, such as the image below of the Roosevelt elk that became entangled in a hammock. The photo is representative of the challenges that wildlife living in proximity to human settlements endure, which places them at risk of injury or death. Last year, I and others of the Collective witnessed a California sea lion that had become ensnared in what appeared to be the plastic wrap used on lumber stacks. I once photographed a sea lion that was extremely emaciated but chose not to share it without the context that resulted in its condition. That is also very important as making assumptions without conclusive evidence also contravenes the ethics of conservation photography.

I am particularly proud of the images that I took of the old-growth forests and the people that sought to protect them in a stand nearby to the Fairy Creek protests in 2021. That work contributed to raising awareness of the plight of the forests and the struggle between the protesters and the police sent to enforce an injunction requested by the forestry company. It was a rare opportunity to be at the centre of a major conservation event in Canada’s history and share my observations with many unable to attend.

What was the impetus for creating the Canadian Conservation Photographers Collective, and why was it important to gather photographers under the unifying values of the CCPC?

Speaking for myself, my passion for conservation has led me to explore multiple opportunities to contribute. Many years ago, I was part of a grassroots group in the community of Prince George, B.C. where we hosted an exhibition by the International League of Conservation Photographers. The images depicted the extraordinary beauty and diversity of the Great Bear Rainforest near the mouth of the Douglas Channel. I was profoundly impacted by what I saw and inspired by the work of the photographers. That sense of awe remained with me for many years and eventually motivated me to take up photography as a tool for further conservation objectives.

Within two years of my journey into photography, I connected with several other photographers with the goal of forming an organization like the ILCP but with our own methods and exclusive to photographers based in Canada. Our belief is that we can be more effective by collaborating than working individually, and that principle has guided us throughout our development. We rely on our members to contribute images and videos that form the basis of our social media content, our website, our online catalog of images for licensing, and our campaigns. Each year, we recruit new members whose skills and experiences strengthen our capacity and amplify our reach.

The CCPC is still a young organization and there are many challenges that we must overcome. We are fortunate though to have an exceptional team of volunteers that support the organization, whose extraordinary abilities make possible the projects that we have undertaken. With our recent federal incorporation as a nonprofit, we supplemented the Collective with an outstanding board of directors, each of whom contributes extensive experience and knowledge that will help us to evolve further. Collaboration with other nonprofit organizations has extended our audience and provided invaluable resources for our campaigns. We will continue to seek new opportunities to make meaningful contributions to conservation and engage with our supporters. Thank you for allowing me to share our journey with your audience!

Thank you so much Josh, for taking to time to inspire and educate through your thoughtful responses. If you are as blown away by Josh and his work as I am, please check out his Instagram, Facebook, and website. You can also learn more about the CCPC at their website here, their Instagram here, or their Facebook page here!

Photo Credits: Josh DeLeenheer

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