Kip Evans

As Director of Photography and Expeditions, Kip manages the SEA's image database, expedition planning and documentary production. He is an active participant in nearly every SEA expedition, functioning as producer, director and chief cinematographer for all content. Kip's eye for great images is constantly sought by the team to ensure the most compelling and effective messaging and story telling. He is also a Google Ocean Partner and has authored numerous postings throughout the "Explore the Ocean" layer in Google Earth. He joined the SEA in 2008 as its lead consultant for technology and expeditions.

Throughout his career, Kip has worked for many notable organizations and individuals including the National Geographic Society, where he served as the chief photographer for marine biologist Dr. Sylvia Earle, during a 5-year project to explore the ocean. During this period, Kip spent over 300 hours diving submersibles at depths down to 1,800 feet. Kip joined the SEAlliance Foundation in 2008 as the Director of Photography and Expeditions. Since then he has lead expeditions to Belize, Cuba, Costa Rica, Honduras, and Mexico, documenting “Hope Spots,” special areas of the ocean that need critical protection.

Kip’s images have been widely published in books, exhibits, advertisements and magazines worldwide, including National Geographic Magazine, Patagonia, Outside, Sea and Coastal Living to name a few. During the past several years he has been on contract with National Geographic to provide photographic support to the California Education and the Environment Initiative, a state-mandated program designed for California’s K-12 education system. Kip's photography was featured on the NBC Nightly news with Brian Williams in 2009 as part of this new initiative. In addition to his photography experience, Kip has worked as a marine biologist, expedition leader, and an educator for the National Marine Sanctuary Program. He also served as a rescue swimmer for the Pacific Grove Ocean Rescue Team for over a decade. In 2002 he received a commendation for saving the life of a young teen that had been pulled offshore by a strong rip current.

Currently Kip is focusing his attention towards highlighting marine protected areas both in California and throughout the world. His documentary, “Isla Holbox – Whale Shark Island,” won “best non-broadcast documentary” at the 2010 BLUE Film Festival held in Monterey, California. Produced in the spring of 2010, “A Wave of Change” – Central Coast Marine Protected Areas, is Kip’s latest environmental film.

Kip graduated from the University of California at Santa Barbara in 1990, with a degree in Environmental/Marine Studies. In addition to his work in the oceans, Kip also enjoys rock climbing, backpacking and cycling. He currently resides in the Monterey Bay area with his wife and two children. His current selection of fine art photography can be viewed at www.KipEvansPhotography.com.