Apply to Become an Associate Fellow or
Emerging League Member


Apply to become a member of iLCP 


We are so excited to announce this year's application cycle! Please refer to the dates below to see the timeline for this year's application: 


Scholarships open: February 28 - March 20

New Applicant Submission Period: March 25 - April 24

Applicants notified early July 2024


You may notice that instead of having two phases to the application process, we've merged the Emerging League Program (ELP) and Associate Fellow applications into a application period. There will still be a distinction for ELP and Associate Fellows within the application, but all applicants will fill out the same form. You may select which level of membership you wish to apply for but ultimately it will be up the our Fellow Selection Committee to decide.


iLCP warmly welcomes and encourages applicants from underrepresented and underserved populations to apply. iLCP is committed to growing a diverse and globally representative fellowship of members. iLCP does not discriminate on the basis of race, religious creed, marital or parental status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, or disability.


If you are thinking of applying, we suggest reading through the requirements outlined below so you can get a jumpstart on preparing your application well before the applications open.


Application scholarships are now open!

 iLCP is offering a limited number of scholarships to cover the $130 application fee acknowledging that such fees can be a barrier for applying.



APPLY FOR A SCHOLARSHIP


Thank you!


Have a question? 

Email meg@ilcp.com


WHO SHOULD APPLY TO iLCP?

As a professional conservation photographer or filmmaker, there are two levels at which you may join the organization. Members are selected through an application process; applications are reviewed by a committee of photo editors, directors of photography, and visual storytelling experts around the world.


Emerging League Member

The iLCP Emerging League Program (ELP) is designed to support early-career photographers or filmmakers who display the inherent natural talent and significant promise in conservation photography but are still establishing themselves in their careers. 

The key program features are: 

Mentorship: One iLCP Fellow will be assigned to mentor each ELP member either virtually or in-person. 

Portfolio Reviews: Emerging Leaguers are offered annual portfolio reviews with qualified Affiliates or Fellows in addition to their mentor. Reviews may be virtual or in-person. 

The ideal ELP candidate: 

Shows inherent natural talent and significant promise in photography and would clearly benefit from access to the iLCP network. 

Is working on one or more conservation projects that could benefit from his/her/their photography.

Has demonstrated interest in iLCP, understands our mission and purpose and is familiar with the organization's activities and the work of our Fellows.

Has been published for conservation photography or filmmaking work and/or, has earned some young/emerging photographer/filmmaker recognition from established photography or filmmaking entities.

ELP Application Requirements: 

Must be a professional photographer or filmmaker. We expect Emerging League Photographers or Filmmakers to be pursuing careers in photography or filmmaking. iLCP considers a professional Conservation Photographer or Filmmaker to be one who derives his/her main source of income from visual storytelling and devotes significant energies and efforts to positive conservation gains.

Have actively participated in conservation projects. iLCP's definition of a conservation project is one that includes engagement, active participation/collaboration, and follow-up with conservation organizations, scientists, and/or foundations – your Conservation Partners.

Be published. Applicants are asked to list and describe up to five recent publications of your photography/filmmaking in magazines, books, online, etc

Motivation. Applicants are asked to think carefully about the following questions: Why do you want to be part of iLCP? Please describe your motivation for joining the iLCP community as well as the value you would bring to iLCP and the value you would hope to receive as a member of iLCP.

References: 2 required references 

1. Must be an iLCP Associate or Senior Fellow who you have a personal relationship with

2. Must be an organization you have worked with 

Portfolio Submission:

Photography Applicant

 - 'Best Of' Images: Submit a 30 image portfolio of your best individual images

 - Conservation Story: 1 Conservation Photography Essay of up to 12 images, covering a natural history, environmental or cultural conservation topic, accompanied by written introduction that speaks to the issue at hand.

Film Applicant

 - "Best Of" Video Clips: In the space below please a provide web link for a demo reel of your best video work. Please do not submit a demo reel exceeding 2 minutes.

 - Conservation Story: Link to one short conservation film or a 10 minute clip of a longer film covering natural history, cultural, or environmental conservation. The applicant MUST be the videographer of the submitted videos.

Current Resume/CV


Associate Fellows

Fellowship in iLCP is reserved for professional conservation photographers and filmmakers who devote their efforts to the promotion of positive conservation impacts around the globe. iLCP Fellows exemplify talent, expertise, and passion, all centered around a high standard of professionalism and ethics. 

The ideal Associate Fellow candidate:

Is recognized by their peers as both an accomplished photographer and/or videographer in the quality and relevance of their visual media.

Is able to deliver compelling visual stories on-demand

Shows a marked engagement with conservation campaigns

Is professionally engaged on an ongoing basis with conservation organizations and media outlets working towards conservation goals

Associate Fellow Application Requirements:

Must be a full-time professional photographer or filmmaker. We expect Associate Fellows to be well established as Photographers or Filmmakers in the industry. iLCP considers a professional Conservation Photographer or Filmmaker to be one who derives his/her main source of income from visual storytelling and devotes significant energies and efforts to positive conservation gains.

Have actively participated in minimum 4 Conservation Projects. iLCP’s definition of a conservation project is one that includes engagement, active participation/collaboration, and follow-up with conservation organizations, scientists, and/or foundations – your Conservation Partners.

Ethics: Applicants are asked to describe their ethical philosophy with regard to their work in light of iLCP’s Ethical Principles which can be found on our website. 

Conservation Messaging: Applicants are asked to list and describe personal steps they have taken to ensure conservation messages reach their target audience. 

Motivation: Applicants are asked to think carefully about the following questions: Why do you want to be part of iLCP? Please describe your motivation for joining the iLCP community as well as the value you would bring to iLCP and the value you would hope to receive as a member of iLCP.

References: 2 required references 

1. Must be an iLCP Associate or Senior Fellow who you have a personal relationship with

2. Must be an organization you have worked with 

Portfolio Submission

Photo Applicant:

"Best Of" Images: A sub-folder with a minimum of 20 and maximum of 30 images representing your best work. These images are distinct from the images submitted for the photographic stories noted next.

Conservation Story: Up to 3 sub-folders, each with a distinct conservation photography story of up to 12 images covering a natural history, environmental or cultural conservation topic, accompanied by a written introduction that speaks to the issue at hand. The images and text should demonstrate the threats and challenges faced by this conservation project.

Film Applicant:

"Best Of" Video Clips: In the space below please a provide web link for a demo reel of your best video work. Please do not submit a demo reel exceeding 2 minutes.

Conservation Story: Link to one short conservation film or a 10 minute clip of a longer film covering natural history, cultural, or environmental conservation. The applicant MUST be the videographer of the submitted videos.

Current Resume/CV






Benefits of Membership

Access to the iLCP network of Fellows, Board, Staff, and Affiliates; a supportive group that offers camaraderie in an inherently isolated field. 

Professional Development Webinars and resources

Invitation to iLCP hosted and partnered events

Gear discounts and prodeals 

The opportunity to participate in annual portfolio reviews 

The opportunity to have your visuals represented in iLCP's Visual Library 

The opportunity to have a iLCP serve as the fiscal sponsor for a project 

Invitations to participate in virtual forums to pitch work for publication or funding 


Photo Credits from top of page: Jürgen Freund. Artwork by Karis Gallant 

International League of Conservation Photographers

A global community of conservation photographers and filmmakers working to share conservation stories and solutions through ethical visual storytelling
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