Water, Climate & International Development Photography

Melbourne-based documentary photographer Hamish John Appleby draws on more than 25 years of professional experience to explore the relationship between people, water, land and environmental change. His assignments across Asia and Africa for organisations including the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) and GIZ have documented water management, agriculture, irrigation and the communities whose lives and livelihoods are shaped by changing environmental conditions. His photography has been featured in publications by the World Bank, CGIAR and other international development organisations. He is available for documentary and editorial commissions, working with NGOs, research institutions and international development organisations throughout the Indo-Pacific and beyond.

Traditional fisherman casting a fishing net into coastal waters — documentary photography by Hamish John Appleby.

Water, People & the Environment

Documenting water resources, irrigation, agriculture, coastal environments and the communities whose livelihoods depend upon them.

through crops Women in an irrigated agricultural field

Farmer adjusting an agricultural irrigation sprinkler

Farmer cultivating a flooded agricultural field

International Publications & Research

My photography has been featured in publications and communications by leading international research and development organisations, including the World Bank, CGIAR and the International Water Management Institute (IWMI).

These selected examples demonstrate how documentary photography can communicate complex issues surrounding water security, irrigation, agriculture, climate change and the livelihoods of communities around the world.

World Bank & IFC – Farmer-Led Irrigation Development in Ghana

TED Ideas – Photography to Communicate More Deeply (2021)

Positive.News – Climate Change, Loss and Damage

CGIAR – New Tools to Assess Africa’s Water–Energy Systems

Agricultural Sprinkler Irrigation and Water Management

Water, Food Preparation and Rural Livelihoods

Traditional Fish Market and Coastal Livelihoods

Traditional Sailing Boat on a Mangrove Waterway

IWMI – Declining Freshwater Storage: A Hidden Crisis

IWMI – Everything You Need to Know About Water and Migration

Orange Harvest – Agriculture and Rural Livelihoods

Stranded Fishing Boats – Coastal Environments

Traditional Salt Production and Coastal Livelihoods

Coastal Waste Management and Marine Environments

INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARY PHOTOGRAPHY ASSIGNMENTS

Based in Melbourne, Australia, Hamish John Appleby is available for documentary photography assignments throughout Australia and internationally. With extensive experience photographing water resources, irrigation, agriculture, environmental issues and community livelihoods, Hamish works with research institutions, NGOs, development agencies and publishers to communicate complex issues through compelling documentary imagery.

Discuss a Photography Assignment

For international assignments, research projects, editorial commissions or photography enquiries, please get in touch.

Explore more of my documentary photography for NGOs, government agencies and international development organisations in my NGO, Government & Aid Photography portfolio.