Karim Iliya didn’t find his way into nature through a single moment, but through a lifetime shaped by it. Growing up across the Middle East and Asia, he was surrounded by wild landscapes that sparked a lasting connection to both ocean and earth.

That connection now defines his work. From swimming alongside humpback whales and manta rays to documenting volcanic eruptions from above, Karim moves between extremes, capturing environments that feel both powerful and fragile.

His photography and filmmaking have been featured in National Geographic and other leading publications, as well as in conservation-driven documentaries. But recognition has never been the focus.

What sets Karim apart is his ability to translate experience into feeling. His work goes beyond documenting nature, it invites people into it. To not just see these places and animals, but to understand what’s at stake.

For Karim, the goal is simple: create work that builds connection, and in doing so, inspires people to protect what they might otherwise never experience.