Steve Winter and Sharon Guynup

The Sanctuary Lifetime Service Award

We searched for protectors of wild habitats working dedicatedly for decades, inspiring millions, sparking movements, unearthing natural history knowledge, building conservation strategies, and shaping communities…

Steve Winter and Sharon Guynup
Award-winning photographers, storytellers, changemakers

One night in the Guatemalan cloud forest, a jaguar scratched at Steve Winter’s cabin door. Alone and terrified, Winter couldn’t have known this eerie visitation would spark over two decades of work with big cats as a contributing photographer for National Geographic Magazine – and a career spanning over three decades in wildlife conservation. Today, Winter is a renowned wildlife photographer, speaker, producer, and author. Through his powerful images and compelling narratives, he has sparked conversations, inspired change, and influenced policy on endangered species.

Sharon Guynup, Winter’s brilliant long-time partner and colleague, is a science and environmental journalist, who writes for National Geographic. She is an author and photographer, and works on TV and film projects. With expertise in conservation science, wildlife crime, and climate change, Sharon is a global fellow at the Woodrow Wilson International Centre for Scholars, a nonpartisan Smithsonian Institution think tank that advises lawmakers. Recently named a “2023 Changemaker” by New York University, where she earned her Master’s in journalism, Guynup is committed to using storytelling to inspire action and drive meaningful change in conservation.

They often work together, and their work has been transformative – not just in the stories they’ve told but in the impact those stories have had on wildlife conservation efforts. From capturing iconic images of endangered big cats to influencing public policy on wildlife trafficking, their work demonstrates how one photograph, article, or film can change history. Their collaboration proves the impact of combining creativity, a deep love for nature, and a drive for positive change. A prime example is Winter’s iconic shot of cougar P-22 under the Hollywood sign – a symbol of urban wildlife resilience. This image played a pivotal role in creating a groundswell of public support for urban wildlife and construction of the world’s largest wildlife bridge, spanning the 101 Freeway, to be completed in 2026.

The team’s investigation into the U.S. captive tiger tourist industry revealed abuse, wildlife trafficking, and danger to the public. Their 30-page National Geographic Magazine feature was shared with members of Congress and ultimately led to the passage of a new law, the Big Cat Public Safety Act. The National Geographic Society presented them with the 2024 Eliz Scidmore Award for Outstanding Storytelling for their impact.

Winter’s photography journey began at age seven with an Instamatic camera gifted by his father, sparking a lifelong love for nature and photography. His early education came from working with Magnum photographer Michael “Nick” Nichols, and he later honed his storytelling skills at Black Star Photo Agency. Winter’s expeditions into remote areas, such as the Himalaya to photograph snow leopards, led to a homestay programme and a livestock vaccination campaign to reduce human-wildlife conflict. He has produced films on tigers, Mumbai’s leopards, jaguars and other species for Nat Geo WILD. His work has consistently gone beyond breathtaking imagery, focusing on the intricate relationships between wildlife, landscapes, and communities. His stories strive to engage hearts and minds, driving awareness and tangible conservation impact. His many accolades include multiple World Press Photo honours and BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year.

Guynup’s passion for wildlife began early, with memories of nurturing injured insects as a child and learning to love nature from her maternal grandfather, Bill McKenzie, or Poppy. Like Winter, Guynup’s journey started with an Instamatic, a gift from Poppy when she was five years old. She began her career as a photographer. After earning a Masters degree in science and journalism, she collaborated with Winter on investigative stories about the illegal wildlife trade. Their groundbreaking work included exposing black market trade and abuse at the Thai Tiger Temple, shutting it down. Her articles have appeared in outlets including The New York Times, Smithsonian, Scientific American, and numerous peer-reviewed journals. She has co-authored two books with Winter, Tigers Forever and The Ultimate Book of Big Cats. They co-founded a nonprofit to support their storytelling work, Big Cat Voices.

Winter and Guynup, both National Geographic Explorers, have built a career that transcends geographies, professional successes, driven by a shared passion for conservation. Their partnership extends to mentoring the next generation of photographers and journalists, with their granddaughter, Winter Rose, as a reminder of the future they’re working to protect. Their work illustrates how storytelling, dedication, and a deep love for the natural world can create meaningful change.

For their perseverance and passion as global storytellers for the wild, and the incredible efforts they take to change policy and perceptions, particularly the vital need to protect biodiverse species to rein in the climate crisis, we celebrate and honour Steve Winter and Sharon Guynup!