Wild Hope Collective is a media company centered around conservation and adventure.
Humans will always influence the state of the environment. We embrace this fact and prove that it’s possible to symbiotically exist with the planet's other inhabitants.
In the spirit of creativity and exploration, we shed light on beautiful moments of humanity as it exists within ecosystems.
With our photography and films, we capture adventure, truth, and hope through the lens of biodiversity and nature. We produce the highest quality content of the most precious places on Earth.
We work with...
Companies that encourage adventure and preservation of the planet.
Non-profit groups who are devoted to protecting and reconstructing cultures and ecosystems.
And you - we tell stories conceived and crowd-funded by regular people who care about making the world a better place.
Join us on a journey.
Founder
Ian Paul Conrad Markham
Growing up in an unusual combination of California, Honduras, Nigeria, England and France, Ian Markham’s first introduction to reefs and rainforests came at the age of 6 months with a trip to Costa Rica. Capturing fish, insects, and amphibians early in life morphed easily into a love of capturing photos and videos of wildlife later in life as an ecologist and environmental scientist. After his Bachelor’s of Science from Stanford University he worked for several international NGO’s before returning for a Master’s of Environmental Management at Duke. Having spent a year working as a photo instructor and undersea specialist on National Geographic ships, Ian Markham now roams the world looking for scientists and conservationists to partner with to tell stories of resilience and recovery for people and nature that will help them do their work to save the planet while inspiring others to join the cause.
Core Members
Kelsey Sharp
Kelsey Sharp brings a unique blend of scientific grounding and spiritual depth to her work with Wild Hope. She holds a B.S. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from UC Santa Cruz and works at the intersection of environmental stewardship and community care. While living in Santa Cruz, Kelsey's path led her to Ayurveda — the ancient Indian science of life — which awakened her understanding of holistic health and cultivating our intrinsic relationships to the natural world. She believes that as we heal our bodies, minds, and spirits, we experience greater harmony with each other and with our beautiful planet. Whether she's drawing on her scientific background or her spiritual practices, her work is guided by one core belief: that a healed relationship dynamic among our human biology, our consciousness, and our connection to nature is the foundation for a thriving and peaceful world.
Tyler Koblasa
Collaborators
We're currently onboarding new members and updating this page — thank you for your patience as we bring our full team and their stories online!
Dr. Kirkby
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Zenobia Russi Barrett
Zenobia Russi Barrett has been following animals into wild places for as long as she can remember — sea turtles and primates particularly leading her deeper into the jungles and watery realms. She studies Environmental and Sustainability Studies at the University of Utah, where multiple teaching assistant positions have made her as much a young teacher as a student. She has also conducted field research through the University of New South Wales in Australia and is preparing for a research internship with Fauna Forever in the Peruvian Amazon. A deep feeler, thinker, and communicator, Zenobia brings the curiosity of a wise apprentice and the instincts of an emerging storyteller — learning voraciously, teaching in return, and finding ways to turn encounters with the living world into reasons to care.
Dr. Sean Glynn
Sean fell in love with nature during his childhood in England. It wasn't till later in life traveling in Central and South America where he began taking photos in earnest. He is now an experienced camera trapper, jungle explorer, and conservation advocate working with various conservation organisations in the Neotropics. After a run in with the nasty protozoal parasite that causes leishmaniasis, Sean returned to the U.K. to begin his Masters in Global Biodiversity Conservation. A skilled photographer and passionate conservationist, he is the newest member to the Wild Hope Collective team!
Martín Camaño
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Ian Rock
Ian has been taking photos and telling stories for most his life. He has been captivated by animals and nature for longer still. Studying Earth and Ocean Sciences at Duke University with a focus on Marine Conservation and Leadership, Ian has a unique pairing of science and multimedia production skills. Known for his energy and enthusiasm, Ian tackles projects vehemently, doing whatever it takes to tell the story.
Dr. Sean Glynn