Kip Evans is an award-winning conservation focused underwater filmmaker and photographer. Kip is based in Carmel, California, not far from Upwell’s headquarters. He works on a range of projects with non-profits or his Mission Blue team telling the stories of the ocean. We were fortunate to spend some time with Kip recently to learn about his underwater experiences with turtles and more.
Kip Evans filming during an expedition to Cocos Island.
What inspired you to become a photographer?
I learned how to dive in Monterey Bay when I was a teenager, back in 1982. That greatly influenced me because I realized at that point I loved being in the ocean and exploring new places. I wanted to capture the beautiful places I was diving, and that led me to photography, specifically underwater photography. My first real experience with it came when I was diving with my dad, as he was really interested in underwater photography and I would steal his camera whenever I could and use it on our dives.
Brothers Sam (left) and Kip Evans (at right) learned to dive at a young age.
How long have you been doing underwater photography and how have you seen the marine environment change over that time?
I’ve been shooting underwater since 1984, but I didn’t really want to be a professional photographer until after I graduated from UC Santa Barbara in 1990. I spent many years working in the marine science field where I could use my camera on jobs to gain experience. In 1998, I met Dr. Sylvia Earle and I was hired to work on a National Geographic project called Sustainable Seas Expeditions. During a 5-year period, we used one-person submersibles called Deep Workers to explore the ocean. We probably completed close to 40 expeditions, which gave me an opportunity to spend hundreds of hours underwater. It gave me a unique view into the health of coastal areas in the United States, Mexico, Belize, American Samoa and Hawaii. I realized that we needed to bring attention to areas that were suffering and in poor condition.
Globally, the marine environment has changed dramatically and it is very apparent in areas like the Caribbean, Belize, Florida and the Mediterranean. I can remember when I was a teenager diving in the Florida Keys and seeing big schools of fish, sharks, and large healthy stands of coral. Today it’s tremendously different in many of those same dive sites. I was recently in the Seychelles and most of their reefs are unfortunately dead. Globally 50% of all coral reefs are dead, dying, or in poor condition. I have seen a decline in most of the areas that I visited over the last 35 years of my life; it's one of those things that's obvious to most scientists and people who spend a lot of time in the ocean.
Healthy elkhorn coral at the Swan Islands.
In contrast, dead elkhorn coral on an unhealthy reef.
Could you tell me about your very first time seeing a turtle?
My first turtle experience happened off the coast of Oahu when I was about 7 or 8 years old and I can remember going out snorkeling from one of the local beaches with my dad and my brother and having these wonderful green sea turtles floating below us. Since then, I’ve had hundreds of interactions over the years with turtles all over the world.
Do you have a favorite photograph of a turtle?
I have several from Cocos Island that I love. I also have one in particular from Costa Rica that I took of a leatherback hatchling making its way into the ocean for the very first time. It’s one of my most cherished photographs because it represents a new beginning, something we need to embrace if we are going to turn things around.
Leatherback sea turtle hatchling making its way out to sea,
Unfortunately, I also have photographs of turtles entangled in nets and plastic I’ve shot during my expeditions. In 2016, we came across a juvenile olive ridley turtle during an expedition off Cocos Island that was entangled in fishing gear and plastic. I remember plastic straws and all kinds of stuff in this netting, which was cutting-off the flipper from this young turtle. We got the turtle untangled, cleaned its wounds and sent it on its way. I have no idea if this turtle lived or died, but at least we gave it a chance.
Young olive ridley sea turtle entangled in marine debris including abandoned fishing gear.
Photography is a really effective education tool and it gives a lot of people a view into a world that is otherwise foreign to them. How do you feel like your photography is effective in this way?
During my career I’ve really tried to focus on creating images that are compelling and thought provoking. A great image might be an endangered species rarely seen, a row of dead sharks with their fins removed, or the remnants of what was once a beautiful reef. The most valuable images to me are the ones that tell stories about something that needs to change, or the celebration of something magical that can inspire people to act.
When I'm out shooting, I’m trying to create images that not only tell stories, but will also help my viewers connect with my subjects. Anything that can help people to stop and think about the changes that are occurring in the ocean, anything that will motivate people into change, or to push for change, are the types of images that I want to create.
Most of my professional work is conservation-based photography and filmmaking, so every expedition that I’m on is typically focused on how we bring exposure to the areas that are still in great condition and how we bring exposure to areas that are in trouble–they need public attention.
Hammerhead shark.
Trash floating on the ocean surface.
What motivates you to keep doing what you're doing?
Firstly, I love to explore, and I haven't finished exploring the ocean. I think there's a lot more to see. The second thing is that there are a lot of stories yet to be told and some of those stories are very positive. I think they give the public a reason to be hopeful about the fate and state of our ocean and our planet, what is left--and what's remaining is really important to protect. There are still stories that need to be told about the devastation too and the changes that are happening to our coral reefs, shark populations and fisheries. I’m in a position where I can help shine a spotlight on these challenges and bring attention them.
Where’s your next adventure taking you?
Next week, I'll be heading to the Chilean fjords on a conservation expedition with Dr. Sylvia Earle and the Mission Blue team. We're going to be visiting salmon farming areas, diving in both protected and unprotected areas. We will be trying to do some filming with whales and other charismatic species while we are there too.
It is an incredibly rugged and beautiful area of the world that's also changing because of climate change. As a photographer and filmmaker, I love going to areas like Chile because they feel very wild and I feel like anything could happen at any moment while you're out there shooting. (Note to readers: Kip and his team were only in Chile for 4 days in early March before heading back home due to the global Coronavirus pandemic).
Any final words?
If you are interested in ocean science or ocean conservation, being a scientist is probably one of the most powerful things you can do with your life to help drive change. If you're more artistic like I am and enjoy photography and filmmaking, the ocean needs you too. There will always be demand for people who can take great images and tell good stories, especially right now we need people who can really tell the story of how our planet is changing.
Olive ridley sea turtle.