#93 Krystle Hickman on Krystle Hickman on the ethics of native bee photography and conservation science
“I’ll actually sit by a bush sometimes for 16 hours, and just photograph everything that shows up. I don’t go out there with a net, I just photograph them going about their daily lives, and that’s how I’m able to get it so much different behavioral information that wasn’t previously known because it’s literally just sitting out there and watching. I really feel like this is the future of science, it’s community science, it’s sitting there in the silence besides the wind or the rustling of the plants, the buzzing of wings. I just I think it’s really important to leave things be, and maybe visit years later, and you could see their descendants. I just I think that’s really cool. ”
Conservation urgently needs creative and artistic solutions to addressing pressing biodiversity and climate issues in democratic and ethical ways. What role can the creative storytelling practice of native insect photography play in transforming species conservation to a discipline which respects and cares for overlooked insects and the critical ecosystems that support declining populations such as native bees, and is inclusive of the invaluable contributions of communities and those outside the discipline?
In this month’s conversation, we are joined by Krystle Hickman, a National Geographic Explorer, TEDx speaker, conservation photographer, and native bee expert who uses her photography to raise awareness about the decline of native bee species and their complex ecosystems. Her work has been featured on platforms like Vox, PBS, and the podcast Ologies, expanding her impact beyond visual storytelling. Hickman has also presented at major global and academic venues, including the 2024 United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP16) and universities such as Harvard, UCLA, and UC Irvine. We discuss the ethics of insect photography and species conservation, specifically declining native bee species, and how community scientific practices like documentation of endangered bee species can transform traditionally extractive scientific practices to one that looks beyond the ‘subject’ and more to the relationship of care and trust we hold with the more-than-human.
What will be covered:
Going beyond the honeybee - raising awareness about the diversity and ecological importance of native bees which are often overlooked relative to the honeybee (also indicative of our extractive relationships with honeybees)
Addressing the colonial past of nature photography and the continued extractive practice of scientific study which often involves the killing of “subjects” —> moving to more community science models which promote symbiosis and mutual benefit
Krystle’s “leaving them be” practice of sitting and observing bee behaviour for 16h+ in their natural habitat
Beauty of anthropomorphising the more-than-human in terms of relating and connecting e.g. observing behavioural patterns through personalities and skill building
Community science —> making contributions to science from your backyard by becoming aware of the plant species and elements of a habitat that support native bee populations and promote biodiversity
Challenging programming of the “well-kept garden” by improving biodiversity and introducing more native, wild plants in your space as opposed to ornamental plants which promote artificial biodiveristy
Advice to bee/nature photographers: bring authenticity in visual storytelling by staying true to your personal values e.g. concealing bee habitat locations where possible and ensuring mutual benefit when interacting with bees
Connect to Krystle:
Krystle’s website: https://beesip.com/
Krystle’s Instagram: @beesip
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Mind Full of Everything is a podcast calling for the radical healing of the self and community to outgrow the broken dominant culture of radical individualism and disconnection from our place as interdependent beings, so that we can collectively re-envision a safer, healthier and equitable world. Each episode takes a healing-centric approach to explore the embodied ways in which we can collectively restore and transform our journeys as stewards of community and earth through conversations with writers, researchers, coaches and educators, as well as reflection episodes with the host Agrita Dandriyal on her journey navigating the world as a deeply conscious, culturally-rooted and relational being. Learn more here.
