Through the Lens; My Internship at CCF

When I first arrived at Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) as a media intern, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. As a recent graduate from the University of Wyoming with a degree in journalism, I wanted to combine my passion for storytelling with my love for wildlife. CCF turned out to be the perfect place to do so, and deepened my understanding of cheetah conservation.

As a media intern, my days were filled with capturing many different aspects and departments at CCF; from trying to get portraits of the cheetahs, to photographing livestock guarding dogs in the feild, to telling the story of the incredible people who make CCF’s mission possible. This was very special for me, because it allowed me to see what a diverse group of people and missions it takes for a conservancy to work towards its goal.

Some of my favorite moments were with the veterinary team. Documenting what it takes to get a big cat from the field, into the clinic and under anesthesia, was a process I didn’t think I’d ever be a part of. Any department I followed, I did so keeping in mind the content’s possible usage. Whether that be for social media, outreach materials, or educational programs, the goal of connecting audiences to what’s happening here at CCF Namibia stayed the same.

My larger project was shooting with the scat detection dog team; photographing Enyakwa and Gamena working the field with their handler, Ruusa Uugwanga, hot on their tails. Ride alongs with the three allowed me to see odd corners of the reserve that I wouldn’t have had a reason to otherwise, and learning how genetic information from cheetah scat can aid conservation efforts was fascinating. Shooting with working dogs is always a pleasure, but this crew at CCF was truly something special. Moments like these reminded me why I enjoy making images so much, smiling as I scrolled through each one. The end project is a roughly 15 image edit with accompanying captions and storyline.

Beyond photography, this internship allowed me to provide hands-on help with wildlife I never thought I would see in person, and how to work as part of a passionate and driven team. I gained a greater appreciation for how conservation in Namibia isn’t just about protecting wildlife; it’s about collaborating with farmers, researchers, educators and visitors to create a future where cheetahs and people can coexist.

I am so grateful to the entire CCF team for welcoming my lens and I into their day to day lives. This experience has shaped my idea of what can be done with a camera and given me new goals to look towards as a photographer.