03/03/2026
Today we celebrate World Wildlife Day. A day dedicated to raising awareness about the world’s wild animals and plants, and the importance of protecting the ecosystems we call home.
It’s a reminder of how powerful nature is, but also how fragile it can be. From vast landscapes to the smallest details, wildlife plays a crucial role in maintaining balance on our planet.
As a community of photographers and filmmakers, we have a unique position. We don’t just witness nature, but we capture it, share it, and help others see why it matters. Images have the power to inspire appreciation, respect and action.
To highlight what this day truly stands for, we’re asked Johan van der Wielen, our Disnet Ambassador, to share his vision:
As a nature photographer, you are an ambassador for nature.
Whether that's your goal or not, by capturing our natural world and sharing these photos, you become an ambassador for nature. You explore our natural world, get to know it, and share your adventures and images with the wider world. In doing so, you tell a story, your story. And what do you tell? That you hunt species? That everything must give way to your images? Or that you observe nature with respect and wonder. Remember that your images encourage you to explore nature yourself and that you have a responsibility for what you create.
This is what I strive for. I not only show the beauty and diversity of our species but also try to engage my viewers in a respectful experience. Animals, in particular, are sensitive to disturbance, and I hope to convey the respect I have for my subjects in my images. I do this by creating not only "beautiful" images but also images that prompt questions, that show that we as humans don't always do the right thing and that wildlife suffers because of us. With my images, I want to encourage respect, stimulate respect, but also show that it can be done well.
I take my ambassadorship seriously. Not only in my actions, but also in the images I create. With every step I take closer, I weigh whether the potentially even more beautiful photo is proportionate to the potential disruption I cause. The latter isn't worth it; no prize-winning image, then.
And every now and then, nature rewards you for your patience and humility. The moment an animal decides of its own free will to come near you and gives you the opportunity to capture unique images is a moment you will cherish for the rest of your life. Then you feel completely in the present moment and at one with nature. I wish everyone could experience such a moment!
Johan van der Wielen - natuurfotografie
