Aaron Gekoski is a renowned environmental photojournalist and film-maker, specialising in human-animal conflict. For nearly 20 years he has travelled the globe to report on our complex relationship with wildlife.
Covering issues from the illegal wildlife and pet trade, to deforestation, marine conservation and wildlife tourism, his images have appeared in dozens of international publications and books. His goal is to transform difficult themes into visually compelling narratives, revealing hidden layers of light amongst the darkness.
Aaron was awarded the 2024 Environmental Photographer of the Year award by Prince Albert II of Monaco, and he is a previous winner at Wildlife Photographer of the Year, Nature Photographer of the Year, International Photography Awards, and others.
As a film-maker he has produced over 100 short and long-form documentaries focused on conservation. His latest feature film, Dethroned, investigates the global big cat trade.
Hear Aaron speak at Summit Photo 2026
Aaron will be speaking at Summit Photo 2026 on Saturday 18 July at 2.45pm to the title Conflict zones: imagery from the frontline of conservation.
Across the globe, animals are being hunted, traded, consumed, and exploited – pushed to the brink of extinction by human hands. For nearly two decades, renowned photojournalist Aaron Gekoski has been on the frontlines of this crisis, documenting the stark realities of human-animal conflict in some of the planet’s most unforgiving environments.
In this powerful presentation, Aaron shares stories from the trenches: from Cambodia’s dog-drowning facilities and West Africa’s voodoo markets to brutal wildlife tourism sites and the murky underworld of the exotic pet trade.
Blending firsthand accounts with hard-hitting imagery, Aaron challenges audiences to reflect on our often troubled relationship with wildlife, and reveals how powerful visuals can spark real, lasting change.
