ABOUT
Samantha Stephens is a biologist turned photographer for science and conservation. She uses visual storytelling to communicate scientific research, especially when that research is relevant to conservation issues. Through her work she hopes to foster appreciation for the natural world and the work that helps us understand and protect our shared home. Samantha is a graduate of the Environmental Visual Communication program offered by the Royal Ontario Museum and Fleming College. She is a National Geographic Explorer and an Emerging League Member of the International League of Conservation Photographers. Her work has appeared in bioGraphic, National Wildlife Magazine, National Geographic, and Canadian Geographic, among others.
Samantha currently spends most of her time in Algonquin Provincial Park (Ontario, Canada) where she is documenting various wildlife research projects at the Algonquin Wildlife Research Station. She lives in Ottawa, Canada.
CURRENT AFFILIATIONS
2021: International League of Conservation Photographers, Emerging League Member
2018: National Geographic Society, Explorer & Second Assistant (2023-2024)
AWARDS & GRANTS
2022: Overall winner, Close-up Photographer of the Year 04
2022: Wildlife Photographer of the Year’s inaugural Horizons recognition
2021: Runner-up, Small World category, Nature TTL Photographer of the Year 2021
2021: Best in Show, Macro/Micro/All Other Animals, North American Nature Photography Association (NANPA) Showcase
2020: Girls Who Click Ambassador
2020: Category Winner, Other Animals, Nature Photographer of the Year
2020: International Women’s Media Foundation, Howard G. Buffett Fund for Women Journalists Grantee
2020: Grand Prize Winner, Canadian Science Publishing’s Visualizing Science Image Contest
2018: National Geographic Support for Women and Dependents Grant
2018: National Geographic Early Career Storytelling Grant
2016: Award of Excellence for graduating as the top student in the Environmental Visual Communication program
CERTIFICATIONS & PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
Post-graduate certificate in Environmental Visual Communication (Fleming College)
Master of Science, Environmental & Life Science (Trent University)
Honours BSc in biology (Trent University)
RPAS (drone) Pilot Certificate—Advanced Operations
2018-2019: Video Editing Internship with SeaLegacy
2021: International League of Conservation Photographers, Emerging League Member
2018: National Geographic Society, Explorer & Second Assistant (2023-2024)
AWARDS & GRANTS
2022: Overall winner, Close-up Photographer of the Year 04
2022: Wildlife Photographer of the Year’s inaugural Horizons recognition
2021: Runner-up, Small World category, Nature TTL Photographer of the Year 2021
2021: Best in Show, Macro/Micro/All Other Animals, North American Nature Photography Association (NANPA) Showcase
2020: Girls Who Click Ambassador
2020: Category Winner, Other Animals, Nature Photographer of the Year
2020: International Women’s Media Foundation, Howard G. Buffett Fund for Women Journalists Grantee
2020: Grand Prize Winner, Canadian Science Publishing’s Visualizing Science Image Contest
2018: National Geographic Support for Women and Dependents Grant
2018: National Geographic Early Career Storytelling Grant
2016: Award of Excellence for graduating as the top student in the Environmental Visual Communication program
CERTIFICATIONS & PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
Post-graduate certificate in Environmental Visual Communication (Fleming College)
Master of Science, Environmental & Life Science (Trent University)
Honours BSc in biology (Trent University)
RPAS (drone) Pilot Certificate—Advanced Operations
2018-2019: Video Editing Internship with SeaLegacy