Anthony Ochieng Onyango is a Kenyan Conservation Photographer, Ecologist, and National Geographic Explorer whose work focuses on promoting environmental conservation through films.
In a recent interview, Onyango said his journey in photography began as a passion and a pursuit of what he described as “beauty”. But like other photographers, he gradually found ways to monetize his passion.
“Like many photographers, I was chasing beauty, but over time I realised that people do not respond to only what is beautiful, but to what is meaningful to them,” Antony stated on his YouTube channel, explaining why he chose conservation photography.
As an underwater photographer, Onyango tells stories that reflect on the complexity of nature and the relationship between human beings and nature.
Educational Background
Antony completed his Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) at Mbita Boys High School, where he studied from 2003 to 2006.
Between 2008 and 2012, he pursued a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Management at the Natural Resources Management School at Moi University.
In 2013, he pursued a Certificate in Monitoring and Evaluation from the Kenya Institute of Management (K.I.M) in Nanyuki.
Antony also studied at the Karatina University School of Natural Resources and Environment Studies, where he obtained a Master of Science in Wildlife Management.
In addition, he also attended Strathmore University for the Accounting and Certified Public Accountant course in the years 2007 and 2008.
At Colorado State University, he undertook a short training course on Human Dimensions of Fish and Wildlife Management and conservation leadership.
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Antony Ochieng Career and Achievements
Antony has been featured in National Geographic Espana and Africa, Climate Tracker, Climate Visuals Org, Sustainable Travel International, and Global Landscape Forum- among other projects.
His career started in 2012, and he has continued to make an impact and grow professionally to date.
His work experience began at the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife (K) Giraffe Centre, where he served as an intern educator and tour guide.
Later, he worked at the Development and Training Service Inc. (DTS)/PACE-USAID as a Field surveyor in Health Care Waste Management (HCWM).
In 2012, he also worked with the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) as a Research and Planning-GIS intern, and, in October of the same year, as a Training, Extension Services, Monitoring & Evaluation Officer at the Laikipia Wildlife Forum (LWF).
Between 2014 and 2016, Antony was a monitoring and evaluation specialist at the LWF. From 2016 to 2017, he was a senior project officer at the BirdLife International-Africa Secretariat.
Currently, he is a wildlife ecologist, conservation photographer, and filmmaker with the TonyWild Foundation, which he established in 2016.
TonyWild Foundation is a photo-led platform that shares stories of nature and wildlife. The foundation conducts different programs, all aimed at educating young people on conservation and advancing conservation action.
Ochieng is known for documenting conservation stories at the intersection of ecology, culture, and people.
His photos have been exhibited at the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG), London; Dalby Forest, North Yorkshire; Moors Valley Country Park and Forest, Dorset; and Grizedale, Cumbria.
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Awards and prizes
- Explorers Club 50 Awardee 2022 and 2021 Jackson Wild Grand Prismatic Awardee.
- Finalist for Earth Photo 2021, British High Commission Nairobi Climate Changemakers photography competition.
- Safal Eye in the Wild Photo Competition Bronze Winner in 2019, East Africa.
- Jackson Wild Emerging Filmmaker Scholar 2019, USA
- WWF Africa Youth Award Nominee, 2018, Africa.
- Top 20 finalist: Heat of Kenya, a Nikon Kenya competition, 2017, Kenya.
- Picfair Celebrating Africa: 3rd place in the city life category, 2017, Kenya.
- Best Student in Photography, Photo Kenya School, 2016, Kenya.
- Russell E. Train, Education for Nature Programme Grants, 2015, WWF-US.
- Chairperson of Wildlife Students Association of Moi University, 2012, Kenya.
- Presidents’ Awards Scheme for Young People, 2011, Kenya.
A project on water and people at Kilwa by Anthony Ochieng. PHOTO/ Anthony Ochieng
