Meet Joshua Asel | Founder, Director, Wildlife Conservation Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Joshua Asel and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Joshua, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I wanted to make money! Haha, no actually, I love animals, and I couldn’t help but feel the need to help wildlife. It’s always been a necessity for me to create and build on something that goes way beyond myself and my ego. It’s a bit hard to get into this without being all serious, but the thing is, humans wouldn’t be alive if all natural ecosystems weren’t maintained by all wildlife, so in a very real way, it’s our responsibility to take care of them as humans are the one’s who are actually powerful enough to constantly change the course of nature itself… until it pushes back (yikes!). That’s why I’ve created the upcoming Wildlife Conservation Fellowship, which will develop unique and powerful conservation imagery that helps create or expand Wildlife Preserves, and help fundraise for conservation organizations using a global team of world-class photographers and scientific illustrators. The more natural ecosystems we protect, the safer all of our family and friends will be now and much further into the future.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
HOPE! It’s all about those hopeful vibes! The hope I’m referring to is the ability for humans to survive into the future without being wiped out by nature’s unconceivable power due to our own negligence to live with it in balance. And hope to share with people how to appreciate wildlife and sustain from it. There’s really nothing that can compare to seeing charismatic wild animals right in front of you, and this is coming from someone who loves sci-fi and fantasy, sports, art, and technology. There are just mind-blowing moments that will leave you slack-jawed and appreciative. That’s what I’m selling. I don’t know if that sets me apart, but I know it gives me strength.

Conservation photography is one of the most competitive professions on Earth; there are many photographers and not a lot of money or room at the top, for which I feel like I’m currently only scratching that surface. It’s an honor to see my peers faith and hope in me to grow into something meaningful, while I also chase greatness. It’s been a decade now in this profession and I feel that my uncountable amount of struggles mentally, physically, and spiritually have sharpened me into a formidable weapon to combat ignorance and arrogance.

I ask myself constantly, “By the time I’ve died, will I have actually changed the world?” That’s why I want to help create and expand Wildlife Preserves globally as my main goal.

The important thing is to also have fun while doing all of this! One thing I’m learning the hard way is that there’s no point in stressing yourself out if you’re not taking the time to have fun!

For my most recent work, I’m ABSOLUTELY STOKED to announce that I’ve been elected to the Board of Directors at The Bird Rescue Center in Santa Rosa, California. It’s an honor to be back where my career in wildlife conservation started over ten years ago.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Oh yeah! For dinner, I’m hittin’ Buona Forchetta in South Park for sure. An absolute must. After that, we’re going to the Swan Bar, which contains arguably San Diego’s best mixologist, Sam Peters. Those drinks were insane. Of course, these locations can be visited in any order you like: San Diego Zoo is always amazing, Coronado Island (the whole area is very interesting but The Bay Club Hotel and Marina is a fun place to visit), La Jolla all day and all night, and lastly the open ocean about an hour off the coast we’re definitely going paddy hoppin’ and diving looking for sunfish, tuna, mahi mahi, mako sharks, and other amazing creatures in the ocean, whether you want to get some sustainable fishing done or just enjoy the absolutely epic sights (clearly not advocating to fish for sharks or other protected species). As you can see, my family, friends, and I love hitting the beaches, ocean, and other nature adventures. My last recommendation is not exactly in San Diego, but Disneyland isn’t too far away!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Oh yeah! First of all, I have to give some big thanks to my family. My mom Susan, stepdad Kris, and my brother Mathew who have all helped me in such big ways that I would not be where I am today without them. Plus Filmmaker Ian Nelson for being a great friend and fellow nature explorer, and Pat Dervin for buying a ridiculous amount of my prints.

I also want to thank the International League of Conservation Photographers for inspiration, my mentor Shin Arunrugstichai for his wisdom, Morgan (Mo) Heim, Matthew Cicanese, Jaymi Heimbuch, Karine Aigner, Mac Stone, Melissa Groo, Jules Jacobs, and about a thousand other photographers and people whom I owe thanks to for their support.

Last but not least, thanks to other organizations for their support or partnership include the Bird Rescue Center, Defenders of Wildlife, Whalebone Magazine, Hakai Magazine, Lighthawk Conservation Flying, and the North American Nature Photography Association, to name just a few. Y’all are wild.

Website: https://www.joshasel.com/

Instagram: @tidalwalker

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-asel-3389025a/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joshua.asel.707/

Image Credits
To the main image, please credit Ian A. Nelson.