Ocean Storytelling Photography Grants by Save Our Seas Foundation

At the Save Our Seas Foundation, we have a strong history of supporting marine conservation and education projects, but believe that to truly translate knowledge into effective, meaningful change we must communicate through engaging stories. An inspiring or compelling story can spur positive action in ways that no presentation of facts can.

We are delighted to introduce our new emerging Ocean Storytelling Grant, which will focus on photography in its inaugural year. These grants are led by our own Director of Storytelling and National Geographic photographer Thomas Peschak, in collaboration with Kathy Moran, Deputy Director of Photography at National Geographic, and Jennifer Samuel, Photo Editor at National Geographic.

These grants build on the legacy of our previous Marine Conservation Photography Grants, and are dedicated to finding and supporting a new and diverse generation of conservation storytellers. While we are specifically looking for photographers who can tell conservation stories about our oceans, the call is not limited underwater photography. Applicants should think broadly — story topics can range from the animals themselves, to fisheries to the communities whose lives are intertwined with marine life. Four successful grantees will receive a fully-funded assignment to shoot a conservation photo story on location (including day rate and travel), under direct mentorship from the Ocean Storytelling Grant team.

We are particularly seeking to support early career and emerging storytellers and aim to encourage new voices with new perspectives and photographic approaches. As such, applications must have no more than 5 years of professional experience in any photography related discipline. Additionally, over two-thirds of our previous photo grant applicants were male, and almost 80% from North America and Europe. In an effort to actively remedy these imbalances pervasive throughout the industry, we especially encourage women and applicants from South and Central America, the Caribbean, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and from underrepresented communities to apply for this opportunity. Applications will be accepted both directly via open call and through nomination.

We hope to encourage applicants from all backgrounds the world over, in our search for exciting new voices and distinct perspectives in the field of conservation storytelling.

Award includes cash prize (2k USD), day rate for 3–4-week shoot, year of mentorship, all logistical costs for shoot covered.

For all details and application: https://saveourseasgrants.smapply.io/prog/ocean_storytelling_photography_grant/

Deadline: 30 Nov 2021 18:00 (CET)