Slideshow: 10 photographers talk about the significance of Earth Day
Earth Day in Pictures Photographers posted images of what Earth Day means to them on their favorite platforms. Copyright: © Brandon Dela Cruz Today, Earth Day was celebrated around the world. What began in 1970 as a grassroots environmental movement has become a global effort to raise awareness about our planet. It encourages people to act on climate change, pollution, deforestation, and other pressing issues. Photographers took to their favorite online platforms and shared their favorite related images to express what Earth Day means. My feeds were flooded with the loveliest tributes to what makes our planet worth fighting for. Enjoy this slideshow and check out the work these artists produce elsewhere. 'When badlands are good lands' by Larry Ginyard Copyright: © Larry Ginyard Description: An aerial photo snapped in the badlands of southern Utah. Artist statement about Earth Day: Capturing photos of the Earth grounds me. It’s where I go to escape the monotony of day-to-day life. The more isolated the destination, the better. With nothing but the sound of the wind, I can be introspective and contemplative. I can also just be. Never underestimate the importance of just existing when surrounded by the beautiful sights and sounds of nature. We need to conserve places like this so that generations after us are afforded the same experiences. 'Twilight Reverence: Honoring the Earth Through Story and Light' by Criz Quinn Copyright: © Criz Quinn Description: Every journey, every image, every breath… This planet has given me light, wonder, and awe. As a travel photographer, I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to witness so much of our world, even its most remote and untouched corners. Every photograph I take is my way of saying thank you for the privilege to explore and share the Earth’s beauty. This image, captured beneath the twilight sky among the ancient quiver trees of Namibia, is more than a memory. It’s a reminder that even in the quietest, farthest reaches of the Earth, there is magic waiting to be seen, felt, and honored. The fading light, the silhouette of a friend dwarfed by ancient trees and scattered stone… this is scale, this is perspective. This is Earth reminding us of our place within something far greater than ourselves. Artist statement about Earth Day: For me, Earth Day is about more than awareness. It is about reverence. A chance to pause and reflect on the extraordinary gift that we’ve been given: a planet that creates scenes like this without asking for anything in return but for us to respect it. On this day, and every day, I choose to honor her through stewardship, and by continuing to tell her story through my photography with gratitude and awe. 'Atcama desert' by David Neuman Copyright: © David Neuman Description: The Atacama Desert, the driest place on Earth. In the middle of this arid desert is a laguna home to hundreds of flamingos, grazing about gracefully. The sheer randomness and juxtaposition of the bone-dry climate surrounding something so tropical is as breathtaking as the flamingos themselves. Artist statement about Earth Day: As a photographer who loves traveling, exploring all of the diverse textures and colors of the earth’s surface is one of my favorite things to do. When I picked up photography in 2017, it offered me a whole new way to discover and seek out those perspectives. Earth Day serves as a reminder of how fortunate we are to have access to all of this. It also reminds us how precious our planet is, and that there is no planet B. 'Monument to the sun' by Justin Wood Copyright: © Justin Wood Description: Video Projection.Photograph. Black Hills, SD (South Dakota) Artist statement about Earth Day: Earth Day invites us to acknowledge our evolving relationship with the planet and the challenge of balancing emerging technology with ecological constraints. Drawing on the earthwork tradition, my projection installations seek to harmonize light and time, revealing fresh perspectives on ancient places. 'Aurora over high falls' by Nathan Klok Copyright: © Nathan Klok Description: Vibrant Aurora lights up the night sky over High Falls on the Pigeon River along the Minnesota-Ontario border on August 11th, 2024. This night I chased and photographed the aurora from sundown to sunup during an intense storm of Northern Lights, where they were able to be seen throughout the entire United States. Artist statement about Earth Day: Earth Day is a celebration of the beautiful planet we all get to call home and a call to protect it for future generations to come. 'Arizona sandstone' by Bayley Jordan Copyright: © Bayley Jordan Description: A sunrise flight features the beautiful swirling color and texture of this Arizona sandstone landscape. Artist statement about Earth Day: Earth Day, to me, is about appreciating and documenting the beautiful world we are so lucky to be surrounded by. If I am not out on a photo session, y
Earth Day in Pictures
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Photographers posted images of what Earth Day means to them on their favorite platforms. Copyright: © Brandon Dela Cruz |
Today, Earth Day was celebrated around the world. What began in 1970 as a grassroots environmental movement has become a global effort to raise awareness about our planet. It encourages people to act on climate change, pollution, deforestation, and other pressing issues.
Photographers took to their favorite online platforms and shared their favorite related images to express what Earth Day means. My feeds were flooded with the loveliest tributes to what makes our planet worth fighting for. Enjoy this slideshow and check out the work these artists produce elsewhere.
'When badlands are good lands' by Larry Ginyard
 |
| Copyright: © Larry Ginyard |
Description: An aerial photo snapped in the badlands of southern Utah.
Artist statement about Earth Day: Capturing photos of the Earth grounds me. It’s where I go to escape the monotony of day-to-day life. The more isolated the destination, the better. With nothing but the sound of the wind, I can be introspective and contemplative.
I can also just be. Never underestimate the importance of just existing when surrounded by the beautiful sights and sounds of nature. We need to conserve places like this so that generations after us are afforded the same experiences.
'Twilight Reverence: Honoring the Earth Through Story and Light' by Criz Quinn
 |
| Copyright: © Criz Quinn |
Description: Every journey, every image, every breath… This planet has given me light, wonder, and awe. As a travel photographer, I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to witness so much of our world, even its most remote and untouched corners. Every photograph I take is my way of saying thank you for the privilege to explore and share the Earth’s beauty.
This image, captured beneath the twilight sky among the ancient quiver trees of Namibia, is more than a memory. It’s a reminder that even in the quietest, farthest reaches of the Earth, there is magic waiting to be seen, felt, and honored.
The fading light, the silhouette of a friend dwarfed by ancient trees and scattered stone… this is scale, this is perspective. This is Earth reminding us of our place within something far greater than ourselves.
Artist statement about Earth Day: For me, Earth Day is about more than awareness. It is about reverence. A chance to pause and reflect on the extraordinary gift that we’ve been given: a planet that creates scenes like this without asking for anything in return but for us to respect it.
On this day, and every day, I choose to honor her through stewardship, and by continuing to tell her story through my photography with gratitude and awe.
'Atcama desert' by David Neuman
 |
| Copyright: © David Neuman |
Description: The Atacama Desert, the driest place on Earth. In the middle of this arid desert is a laguna home to hundreds of flamingos, grazing about gracefully. The sheer randomness and juxtaposition of the bone-dry climate surrounding something so tropical is as breathtaking as the flamingos themselves.
Artist statement about Earth Day: As a photographer who loves traveling, exploring all of the diverse textures and colors of the earth’s surface is one of my favorite things to do. When I picked up photography in 2017, it offered me a whole new way to discover and seek out those perspectives. Earth Day serves as a reminder of how fortunate we are to have access to all of this. It also reminds us how precious our planet is, and that there is no planet B.
'Monument to the sun' by Justin Wood
 |
| Copyright: © Justin Wood |
Description: Video Projection.Photograph. Black Hills, SD (South Dakota)
Artist statement about Earth Day: Earth Day invites us to acknowledge our evolving relationship with the planet and the challenge of balancing emerging technology with ecological constraints. Drawing on the earthwork tradition, my projection installations seek to harmonize light and time, revealing fresh perspectives on ancient places.
'Aurora over high falls' by Nathan Klok
 |
| Copyright: © Nathan Klok |
Description: Vibrant Aurora lights up the night sky over High Falls on the Pigeon River along the Minnesota-Ontario border on August 11th, 2024. This night I chased and photographed the aurora from sundown to sunup during an intense storm of Northern Lights, where they were able to be seen throughout the entire United States.
Artist statement about Earth Day: Earth Day is a celebration of the beautiful planet we all get to call home and a call to protect it for future generations to come.
'Arizona sandstone' by Bayley Jordan
 |
| Copyright: © Bayley Jordan |
Description: A sunrise flight features the beautiful swirling color and texture of this Arizona sandstone landscape.
Artist statement about Earth Day: Earth Day, to me, is about appreciating and documenting the beautiful world we are so lucky to be surrounded by. If I am not out on a photo session, you will often find me spending time outdoors, whether it be biking amidst the beautiful alpine lakes and forests, camping with loved ones, or exploring a new hiking trail to capture stunning images with my camera or drone. I am outside daily in search of the gorgeous, golden-hour glow as it lights up each of the lovely landscapes we are so lucky to explore.
Multiple images (including header) by Brandon Dela Cruz
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| Copyright: © Brandon Dela Cruz |
Artist statement about Earth Day: As a photographer, Earth Day is a reminder to slow down and truly see. It’s easy to chase the next shoot or scroll past a sunset but this day reminds me to pause and appreciate how breathtakingly beautiful our planet really is.
To me, it’s not just about a single moment of recognition - it’s about honoring what has been here long before us the rugged coastlines, the towering redwoods, the untouched deserts, and all the wild iconic places that have stood the test of time. I think of national parks, not just in the US, but all around the world, as living museums of Earth’s raw beauty. Earth Day is a call to protect that to preserve the wild for the next generation.
I feel a deep responsibility with my camera to capture, not just the views, but the value of these places because if people can see how incredible this planet is, maybe they’ll feel more inclined to protect it. That’s what drives me.
'African Surf and Stone' by Adam Ledoux
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| Copyright: © Adam Ledoux |
Description: I took while in South Africa last year, of waves crashing onto rocks near the shoreline outside of Cape Town.
Artist statement about Earth Day: Earth Day serves as an annual reminder to love, appreciate, and care for the planet that we've been blessed to live on. We only have this one that we can live on (for now), and it comes with the task of keeping it healthy for future generations.
'Blue Earth. Pink sky.' by Sheen Watkins
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| Copyright: © Sheen Watkins |
Artist statement about Earth Day: Earth is a day of celebrating the natural wonders of our earth. It is also a reminder that she needs our protection and care.
'Avalanche Lake' by Karen Walter
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| Copyright: © Karen Walter |
Description: This image was captured at Avalanche Lake in Glacier National Park, located in Montana.
Artist Statement about Earth Day: Earth Day to me means preserving our planet for generations to come by doing little things every day. Picking up trash in public places, recycling, planting a tree. Respecting nature by taking only pictures and memories, and leaving only footprints.
