Join us in welcoming Kaush, our newest CORAL Ambassador!
From documenting whales and sharks to sharing stories from some of the world’s most remarkable marine ecosystems, Kaush has built a career at the intersection of science, conservation, and storytelling.
As a wildlife biologist, photographer, and filmmaker, he uses powerful imagery to help people connect with nature and understand why protecting it matters.
We’re excited to welcome Kaush as our newest CORAL Ambassador and look forward to working together to inspire global action for coral reefs and the marine life that depend on them. Keep reading to learn more about the man behind the lens.
Tell us about yourself
My name is Kaush, and I am a wildlife conservation biologist, award-winning photographer, and filmmaker from the UK.
My passion is documenting the amazing creatures that we are lucky enough to share this planet with and sharing those moments with people around the world. I love being out in nature as much as possible!
A fun fact about me is that (on a good day) I can speak 5 languages.
What was your first experience with the ocean?
Growing up in the suburbs of London, I didn’t have a lot of access to or experiences with the ocean.
My first proper adventure with the ocean was when I was 17, and I travelled to South Africa to work with scientists conducting research on the reefs. My first time scuba diving (outside of a muddy quarry), I was mesmerised by what I was seeing. It truly was like I was living in a documentary.
Over the course of a week, I saw more than I could have ever imagined, from pristine reefs to whale sharks and manta rays, and even newborn humpback whales. It was an unforgettable experience, which I think subconsciously shaped my future career.
What are some of your most memorable moments in or on the water?
Documenting sperm whales has to be up there as one of the most memorable moments I have had in the water so far. Feeling their echolocation clicks reverberating through my body and making eye contact with these giant predators is something that will stay with me forever.
I was lucky enough to spend a long time researching whale sharks in the Maldives, and ultimately, this is what kick-started the career path that I am on now. Spending countless hours in the water with these gentle giants, studying their movements and habits, you can’t help but fall in love with them.
How do coral reefs play a role in your life?
Coral reefs are the source of every encounter that I have ever had underwater. From moments with giant whales to mantas feeding on plankton, none of it would be possible without reefs.
One of my greatest pleasures in life is snorkelling on reefs and seeing the sheer abundance of life. Checking under overhangs for cryptic species, the thrill of seeing a turtle feeding in the distance, listening to the cacophony of noises.
I could spend all day on a healthy coral reef and not get bored.
Why join CORAL’s Ambassador program?
I love the approach that CORAL takes to protecting reefs.
The holistic nature and their support of local communities in protecting and restoring coral reefs is something that I really admire. It is exactly the approach that I think is needed in the world at the moment – supporting local communities and science-based conservation.
As a scientist myself, I believe that science needs to be the foundation of any coral project.
I especially like the way CORAL works across the spectrum from habitat protection to clean water, on projects that might not always make mainstream media, but are no less important to the oceans.
Is there anything you want other aspiring creatives to know about what you learned along the way?
Go out and start telling the stories that you are passionate about. There is never going to be a “right” moment. If you wait until you have a certain camera, or a certain level of experience, you will be waiting forever.
Go out with the tools that you have right now and practice your craft.
It probably won’t be good at the start. But this is a prerequisite for growth.
When you’re working in nature, you always need to be prepared and have a plan. This includes being prepared for nothing to go as planned and to make things up as you go and think on your feet.
Storytelling for coral reef conservation
Through his work behind the camera, Kaush helps bring people closer to coral reefs and all that they support.
Connect with Kaush on Instagram and Youtube, and learn more about him on his website, kaush.net. He offers incredible prints of wildlife from around the world, as well as resources for photographers and storytellers, like learning expeditions and Lightroom presets.
