Ryan Wilkes uses filmmaking to find harmony in the juxtaposition between his right and left brain. His creative expression is constantly influenced by his analytical and introspective nature. An outward practice of visual storytelling has led Ryan to an inward exploration of intentions and motivations, which lie in using visual imagery to convey the essence of the regions he visits and to tell the stories of the beings that inhabit them. Now, more than ever, our wild spaces need support and protection. Ryan’s work seeks to evoke curiosity and a sense of awe regarding the natural world, as he believes that these are the precursors to conservation action.
Ryan is a Canadian documentary DP, director, and photographer with a passion for the outdoors, adventure and wildlife. Through documenting adventurous pursuits and conservation-related endeavours, he explores the relationships between people and the natural world.
Ryan’s time in the outdoors has led to a deep appreciation for nature, as well as the people who have dedicated themselves to protecting it. Ryan wants to use the mediums of photography and film to invoke curiosity in his audience so that they too may be inspired to create change. He is an advocate for diversity, inclusion and representation in the outdoors and believes that nature should be accessible to everyone and that all people should feel welcome in the outdoors, regardless of creed, culture, or colour.
Instagram and Twitter: @itsryanwilkes
rwilkesmedia@gmail.com
In Conversation: Ryan Wilkes and J. Ashley Nixon
World Heritage sites inspire us with their aesthetic beauty, conservation values and cultural attachment. Their ecosystem services provide us with food, water, and other resources. Athabasca Glacier is part of the Columbia Icefield in Jasper National Park, Canada. This vast territory of ice reduced by 18 percent between 1985 and 2018. Glaciers on Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania have declined by more than 80 percent in the last one hundred years. If this rate continues, it will be completely deglaciated by the 2040s. World Heritage sites need us to change and act as climate citizens in this climate crisis.
Exposure Collective 