photogrant.saveourseas.comOcean Storytelling Photography Grant - Save Our Seas Foundation

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They are, without doubt, our most powerful form of communicating and connecting, both with each other and with the world around us. At the Save Our Seas Foundation (SOSF), we have a strong history of supporting marine conservation and education projects and 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 Storyteller Grant, which will focus on photography in its inaugural year. The photography grant is led by our own Director of Storytelling and National Geographic photographer Thomas Peschak, in collaboration with Kathy Moran and Jennifer Samuel from National Geographic . This grant builds on the legacy of our previous Marine Conservation Photography Grant and is dedicated to finding and supporting a new and diverse generation of conservation storytellers. While we are looking specifically for photographers who can tell conservation stories about our oceans, the call is not limited to underwater photography. Applicants should think broadly – story topics can range from the animals themselves to fisheries or the communities whose lives are intertwined with marine life. Four successful grantees will each receive a fully funded assignment to shoot a conservation photo story on location (including day rate and travel), under the direct mentorship of the Ocean Storytelling Grant team. FEATURES FROM PAST GRANT WINNERS Islands in the stream. Photo assignment story by Shin Arunrugstichai Urban Pioneers: Florida’s Marine Wildlife. Photo assignment story by Justin Gilligan People safe, Shark safe. Photo assignment story by Mac Stone Fighting for Reef Fish. Photo assignment story by Joris van Alphen You don’t make a photograph just with a camera. You bring to the act of photography all the pictures you have seen, the books you have read, the music you have heard, the people you have loved.’ ― Ansel Adams We are particularly seeking to support early career and emerging storytellers and aim to encourage new voices with new perspectives. Applicants should therefore have no more than five years of professional experience in any photography-related discipline. Moreover, we feel it is very important for the grant to be as diverse and representative as possible. More than two-thirds of our previous photo grant applicants were male and almost 80% came from North America and Europe. In an effort to actively remedy this geographical and gender imbalance that is pervasive throughout the industry, we especially encourage women and applicants from South and Central America, the Caribbean, the Middle East, Africa and Asia, as well as 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 as we search for exciting new voices in the field of conservation storytelling. Find out more about the entry requirements here . Photo © Justin Gilligan | Save Our Seas Foundation PRIZES Four winners will be selected for each grant. Each winner will receive a US$2,000 cash prize and will be given a paid three-week photographic assignment to document an SOSF-supported marine research or conservation project. The SOSF has funded more than 400 projects in more than 85 countries and the winning photographers will be assigned to tell one of these stories. Thomas P. Peschak, National Geographic Magazine photographer and Director of Storytelling for the Save Our Seas Foundation, Kathy Moran, senior editor (natural history) of National Geographic Magazine and Jennifer Samuel, photo editor at National Geographic , will mentor photographers throughout the process. All winners will be given the chance to showcase their work at an international conference or an exhibition. Each winner’s story will also be published as a photo essay for Save Our Seas Foundation. APPLICATION PROCESS The Ocean Storytelling Photography Grant application process consists of a one-stage online application . The form consists of a few questions and requires the submission of a portfolio (20 images) and photo story (10 images). Only one application will be accepted from any one applicant. If an applicant has any other current SOSF grant, they cannot apply for a new grant. All applications will be reviewed by the Ocean Storytelling Photography Grant judging panel and require final approval from the Foundation’s Board of Directors. If successful, the SOSF Grant agreement between the Foundation and the applicant must be sent back by the deadline. This agreement cannot be modified. Photo © Joris van Alphen | Save Our Seas Foundation MEET THE JUDGES Thomas Peschak Thomas P. Peschak is a National Geographic photographer, explorer and fellow who specialises in documenting both the beauty and the fragility of the world’s oceans, islands and coasts. For National Geographic Magazine he has produced 10 feature stories that cover various natural history and conservation issues, ranging from manta rays to marine protected areas. Originally trained as a marine biologist, Thomas embraced photojournalism 15 years ago after realising that his photographs could have greater conservation impact than scientific statistics can. He is a founding director of the Manta Trust and a senior fellow of the International League of Conservation Photographers. His images have won 17 Wildlife Photographer of the Year and seven World Press Photo awards. Thomas has supplied the photographs and text for seven books, including Currents of Contrast , Sharks & People and Manta: The secret life of devil rays . He is a popular speaker for National Geographic Live, having presented more than 20 shows in 15 cities on three continents. His official 2015 TED talk, ‘Dive into an ocean photographer’s world’, has been viewed more than one million times. Kathy Moran Kathy Moran is National Geographic Magazine’s deputy director of photography. As the...