Capturing Conservation Through Photography

As a student in the Honours Bachelor of Photography program at Sheridan College, I had the opportunity to complete my internship with the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA). Throughout my internship, I photographed a wide variety of subjects while learning about the important work happening behind the scenes. From Conservation Areas and recreational activities to wildlife and environmental units, every day brought a new experience.

One of the biggest ways I grew during my internship was stepping outside of my comfort zone. I had little experience creating videos before this internship, but I gained confidence in filming and creating social media content. One of the biggest challenges was approaching campers and asking if I could film them, but each interaction helped me become more comfortable communicating with people and working independently.

My favourite project was photographing UTRCA's turtle conservation program – Southern Ontario At Risk Reptiles (SOARR). It was fascinating to document the entire process, from collecting turtle eggs to watching them hatch and then eventually being released. Seeing the dedication that goes into protecting local wildlife gave me a greater appreciation for conservation and made the experience extremely rewarding.

This internship also showed me how important photography is for UTRCA. Many people only see the parks and trails, but photography helps share the stories of the conservation work that is happening behind the scenes. The experience strengthened my photography and videography skills and will help me throughout my future career.