The art of environmental storytelling

A dialogue with Kim Free

To highlight New Zealand Seaweek we interviewed Kim Free who shares how her love for marine wildlife combined with her passion for photography can raise awareness of our watery environment, motivating people to conserve our oceans and wildlife.

New Zealand Seaweek is an annual event that celebrates the country’s unique marine environment. This year, Seaweek took place from 4-12 March 2023 and provided an excellent opportunity for individuals and communities to learn more about our oceans and take part in marine-related activities.

One of the most powerful tools for raising awareness and promoting conservation efforts is photography and storytelling. Photography offers a powerful tool for capturing and conveying the many ways in which we are connected to the ocean. Through images of the ocean’s beauty, power, and fragility, we can inspire action to protect our marine environment for generations to come. Photographs and stories have the ability to connect people with the natural world, inspiring a deeper understanding and appreciation for the wonders of our oceans. By showcasing the beauty and diversity of marine life, we can encourage individuals to take action to protect our oceans and the creatures that call them home.

In this interview, we talked to Kim Free who shares her love of the ocean and thoughts about how her photography raises awareness of our watery environment.

IN YOUR OPINION, HOW DOES PHOTOGRAPHY IMPACT THE ENVIRONMENT AND WHY IS ENVIRONMENTAL PHOTOGRAPHY IMPORTANT?

Photography has the ability to raise awareness of causes that people may not otherwise be aware of. I’m sure everyone knows the terrible effect plastic is having in the ocean, but sometimes seeing a photo of a dead bird full of plastic has much more of an impact than just hearing about it - Images are powerful motivators.

I have personally witnessed seabirds dead from starvation, and marine mammals fatally injured from boat strikes and discarded fishing gear, images like these can have a huge impact in getting people to think about what is going on in the environment and what they can do about it.

WHAT’S YOUR PREFERENCE WHEN PHOTOGRAPHING LAKES, OCEANS, AND SEAS?

When shooting oceans etc. I am always looking for dramatic or impressive skies and clouds and always prefer to shoot at sunrise or sunset. I like to have something of interest in the foreground so will always move around looking for the best place to shoot.

WHAT EMOTIONS ARE YOU TRYING TO TRIGGER IN THE VIEWER WITH YOUR IMAGES?

I mostly photograph marine wildlife, I absolutely love all these animals and I really hope that my photos trigger the same emotions in the viewer that I feel when I am taking them. I hope that my images may motivate people to want to help conserve our oceans and wildlife.

WHAT PHOTOGRAPHY GEAR ARE YOU USING?

I have always used and loved Canon having owned 5D, M3, and M4 bodies. Currently, I’m using the mirrorless R5. The animal tracking feature of this camera is amazing and I have found it to be a gamechanger in my photography.

For lenses I use the RF 70-200 F2.8 and the RF 100500 F7.1, I really love these lenses combined with the in-body stabilisation of the R5, it means I can always shoot handheld which is great. The 100500 is definitely my go-to lens as it has great zoom range and is extremely sharp, so it’s really versatile. However, I’m eagerly awaiting the upcoming release of the Canon RF 600 F4.

I have never been a fan of tripods - additional gear becomes an obstacle when climbing around in the rocks during a storm. Saying that I’m never without some sort of rain cover for my gear!

KIM FREE Motukiekie Chief’s Head