Seychellois Photographer Christopher Leon Appointed Judge for Pan-African Photo Contest

Seychellois Photographer Christopher Leon Appointed Judge for Pan-African Photo Contest

Christopher Leon, a distinguished underwater photographer from Seychelles has been chosen as one of the three judges for the Pan-African Regional Photo Contest, hosted this year by The Nature Conservancy (TNC). The 30-year-old Seychellois will be sharing the judging panel with Sarah Waiswa, a Ugandan documentary and portrait photographer based in Kenya, and lead judge Roshni Lodhia from Tanzania. The contest began accepting submissions on August 30 and will continue to do so until September 29. The winners will be announced in November.

Organized by The Nature Conservancy’s Africa Programme, a non-profit organization aiming for a sustainable future for both people and nature across Africa, the contest serves a dual purpose. It not only showcases the talents of photographers but also aims to raise awareness about conservation.

Leon’s Passion for Underwater Photography

For Leon, this opportunity is about more than just judging a competition. It’s a platform to emphasize the importance of conservation, share his experiences, and inspire others to appreciate and respect the underwater world as he does. Leon embarked on his photographic journey five years ago, driven by his passion for unveiling the hidden underwater treasures of Seychelles, a gorgeous archipelago in the western Indian Ocean.

Leon laments the fact that many Seychellois do not realize the beauty that lies beneath their surrounding waters. He believes that Seychellois photographers, given the rich biodiversity of their homeland, have immense potential in nature photography.

Details of the Contest

The competition consists of various categories such as people and nature, plants and fungi, mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. There will be first, second, and third prizes for each of the 12 categories, along with a prize for the overall winner of the contest, resulting in a total of 37 prizes. The grand prize is a three-night stay at the Elewana Loisaba Tented Camp in Loisaba Conservancy, Kenya. Those from Seychelles wishing to participate can register on the competition’s website.