Storytelling with wildlife photography drives global impact and healing

Sep 30, 2025

Alejandro Prescott-Cornejo, a Senior Marketing Associate at Mongabay and talented wildlife photographer, shares his journey of healing through photography. He emphasizes the importance of connecting with your 'local patch' to discover the beauty in nearby wildlife. Alejandro discusses the ethical responsibilities of wildlife photographers and offers insight into what makes a strong photo. He also touches on the Biophilia exhibit, showcasing the work of Mongabay's team, and highlights how storytelling through photography can drive conservation impact.

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ANECDOTE

Photography As Personal Healing

Alejandro started wildlife photography after his father died in 2016 as a way to grieve and process alone time in nature.
The camera gave him a creative outlet and a slower space to work through mourning.

INSIGHT

Language Opens Conservation Conversations

Growing up bilingual shaped Alejandro's cultural access and emotional ties to multiple places.
Speaking Spanish and Portuguese lets him connect deeply with people in conservation contexts.

ADVICE

Teach To Raise The Community

Share knowledge to grow the wildlife photography community by creating free tutorials and gear reviews.
Publish practical guides so newcomers can improve ethical technique and skills faster.

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On this episode of Mongabay’s weekly podcast, we look at nature through the lens of wildlife photographer and senior marketing associate at Mongabay, Alejandro Prescott-Cornejo, the multilingual staffer charged with sharing the team’s reporting and mission with the world.

Prescott-Cornejo details how his work with Mongabay intersects with his passion for wildlife photography, what makes a good photo, and how anyone can connect with nature by getting to know their own “local patch.”

“There are so many beautiful things, whether big or small, that can be very, very close to you — and you don't need to go photograph the biggest animals, just photograph what's close,” he says.

His photography — along with images created by three of his colleagues, including Mongabay founder and CEO Rhett A. Butler — is currently on display at an exhibition at the Linden Street Gallery near Boston. The show’s theme of “Biophilia,” which celebrates humanity's love for nature, also refers to Mongabay’s recent receipt of the Biophilia Award for Environmental Communication, and is on view until Nov. 4, 2025.

Readers and podcast listeners are invited to showcase their own wildlife photography by entering Mongabay’s “Wildlife Wonders” photo contest: starting on Oct. 1, just post your best wildlife image at Instagram and tag it with #MongabayWildlifeWonders and @mongabay in the description for a chance to be featured. The contest will accept entries until Oct. 22.

Find the Mongabay Newscast wherever you listen to podcasts, from Apple to Spotify. All past episodes are also listed here at the Mongabay website.

Image Credit: Mountain gorillas by Alejandro Prescott-Cornejo for Mongabay.

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Timecodes

(00:00) Alejandro’s connection with multiple languages

(07:27) Why Alejandro finds healing in nature

(12:59) Get to know your “local patch”

(19:37) Ethical concerns of photography

(24:34) What makes a good photo?

(29:58) Alejandro’s work for Mongabay

(32:50) The Biophilia exhibit, and visiting a gorllia

(41:32) Alejandro’s favorite landscape