“Photography lets me see the Earth in a new way, where I take my time looking at the details that you don’t usually see”
About
Karim Iliya is a Photographer, Filmmaker, and Whale swimming guide based in Iceland and Hawaii. Karim is also a co-founder of Kogia- a non-profit free media library, fellowship program, and production studio dedicated to protecting marine life.
Karim grew up in the Middle East and Asia and developed a curiosity for the natural world which has taken him into the midst of exploding volcanoes, battling whales, ice worlds of the Arctic, and many of the fascinating places that humans and animals make their home. He uses photography and video to show a unique perspective and uncover new worlds underwater that few have the opportunity to see, and to tell stories about people, places, and animals in order to better our world. His focus is on documenting whales, big cats, and other threatened animals in an effort to protect our delicate ecosystems on Earth.
Karim has worked in over 45 countries, won multiple awards, and been published in National Geographic Magazine for his humpback whale photography and BBC Earth for his video work.
Throughout his life, he has been fascinated by the hidden mysteries in our universe, from the smallest creatures and the deepest seas to the great vastness of space.
In 2021, Karim was selected as part of the dearMoon crew- the first civilian mission to go around the moon aboard the SpaceX rocket, Starship, on a one-week trip to document our beautiful planet and moon from space. In the history of humanity, only 24 people have flown to the Moon and the last trip was over 50 years ago. Karim would have been amongst the first to go back and document the journey. Although the project was cancelled in 2024, Karim remains hopeful that it will be one day be revived.
Partners / Clients
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When I first started taking pictures, I had no dreams of being a professional photographer. I was terrible at drawing but I found photography as a creative outlet that let me explore worlds that are too small, too dark, and often overlooked. I enjoyed documenting everything around me and sharing that with friends and family. Photography became a vehicle that took me to far-reaching places from the underwater world where whales battle for mates, to the edge of volcanoes where the earth spills its molten guts into the sky and forms new land. It took me to ice worlds and deserts, above the clouds with drones, the tiny details of little insects, and vibrant human cultures that struggle and thrive across our planet.
I love photography. It lets me see the Earth in a new way and take my time looking at the details that you don’t usually see, and are difficult to process so quickly. Beyond anything I could have dreamed of, in the next few years, it will take me onto the largest rocket ship that has ever flown, off our planet to document the first civilian trip to the moon.
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2024
HIPA - Sports Photography Category - 2ND PLACE
Sienna International Photography Awards - Underwater Category - 1ST PLACE
2023
OPY Awards - WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR
2022
Jeju Drone Film Festival - 1ST PLACE
Ocean Photography Awards - 2 FINALISTS
2021
Underwater Photographer of the Year; Behavior Category – WINNER
Marine Conservation Photographer of the Year – WINNER
DJI Skypixel Photo Contest – GRAND PRIZE WINNER
Red Bull Illume – FINALIST
2020
Nature Photographer of the Year – RUNNER UP
Ocean Photography Awards; Exploration Category – 2ND PLACE
International Photography Awards; Nature / Underwater – 2ND PLACE
Whale Bones Photo Contest; Water Category – FINALIST
2019 & Earlier
Red Bull Illume – FINALIST
Hasselblad Masters – WINNER
National Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year; Landscape Category – 1ST PLACE
PDN World In Focus; Outdoors – 1ST PLACE
HIPA; General Category – FINALIST
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Photo & Video
Fifteen years of photography and videography experience around the world; Wildlife, commercial, wedding, portraiture, and more.
Drone Operator
Professional solo drone operator for both photo and video. 10 years of experience and over 2000 hours flying.
Media Licensing
An extensive archive of arial, underwater, and landscape footage available for your films, documentaries, and advertisements.
Underwater / Slow Motion
Extensive experience with freediving photography and video. Slow motion capture of wildlife and natural phenomena.
Full Production Service
Help turn your vision into high-quality and valuable media for use in marketing, social media, print, web, or television.
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Kogia is a nonprofit co-founded by Karim.
It is a library of ocean photography and video from around the world, free to use for small ocean conservation organizations, non- profits, activists, marine scientists and artists who are working to protect our ocean. It is also a studio of storytellers who feel compelled to protect the ocean and the life beneath its shimmering surface. We tell stories that inspire hope and change. Stories that foster within our audience the same appreciation and awe that we feel so deeply towards the natural oceanic world.
Learn more @ Kogia.org
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Karim started Dance with Whales in 2017 and is dedicated to getting people into the water and connecting with the amazing wildlife that surrounds us. Swimming with humpback whales, sperm whales, marlins, sea lions, and a plethora of other animals is a transformative experience. We strive to share this experience in an intimate, respectful, and engaging way.
Join a trip @ DanceWithWhales.com
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In December 2021, Karim was selected as part of the dearMoon crew, the first civilian mission to go around the moon aboard the SpaceX rocket, Starship. Over a million people from 249 countries applied for the mission. The crew of nine artists and creators were preparing to go approximately 1000 times farther into space than the International Space Station aboard the largest rocket ever made. The last time humans visited the moon was in 1972. Unfortunately, the project was cancelled indefinitely in June 2024. In addition to being one of the first nine civilians and artists, Karim would have been the first Arab to fly to the moon. It would also have been the first time a professional photographer was sent to space.
Learn more about Karim’s journey with dearMoon:
HERE
Contact
HELLO@KARIMILIYA.COM
+1-510-712-0007
Iceland | Hawaii