We are delighted to announce the opening of our emerging Ocean Storytelling Photography Grant.
Stories spark the imagination and nurture ideas. They are, without doubt, our most powerful form of communicating and connecting, both with each other and the world around us.
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.
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.
APPLICATION PROCESS – Deadline: October 13,2023
- 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 returned by the deadline. This agreement cannot be modified.
PRIZES
- Three 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, former senior editor (natural history) of National Geographic Magazine and Jennifer Samuel, photo editor at The Washington Post, 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.
