About Us

Melody Bentz’s passion for photography began a little about 5 years ago after renting a bungalow on the beach across the waters from Diamond Head and near Pearl Harbor. Recovering from an eye disease that caused her to lose partial vision, she was given a DSLR camera, instead of binoculars, so she could not only see her new amazing views of Hawaii sunrises, sunsets, wildlife and military vessels and aircraft, but also so she could photograph them to enjoy and share with others.  

After regaining some of her vision back she started volunteering to help watch over the Hawaiian Monk Seals.  Through her experiences, she gained a passion to learn about them and photograph them at the same time.  This was the start of her Conservation Photography journey whether she knew it or not!  She spent many hours watching over them on the beach as a Hawaiian Monk Seal Preservation Ohana volunteer ensuring they were protected and performing public outreach and education when the need arose.  She still goes out for many hours to this day as an independent Conservation Photographer and monk seal advocate to protect and educate as well as to promote friendly and peaceful coexistence between human and animal. 

Shortly after retirement, she started volunteering with another conservation group the  Hui Manu O Ku and their White Tern Citizen Science program.  It didn't take her long to fall in love with the  Official Bird of the City and County of Honolulu...the White Tern or in Hawaiian the Manu O Ku.  Today she is an Administrator and Rescue Team Lead for the Hui Manu O Ku, a Conservation Advisory Group that protects this threatened species to ensure they thrive for generations to come.   As part of the White Tern Citizen Science program, she has "photo documented" over 30 chicks from hatching to fledgling and even more adults.   Her photos are used to study and research the species so we can better understand their behaviors...how they interact with each other, e.g., adults and chicks, where and what they feed on, mating habits and so much more.  She recently used her photos and video to compose an in-depth rescue training session that will be used to recruit and train other citizen scientists to help monitor and care for these birds when they have fallen or are injured.  Everyday that she is taking photos on the beach with a monk seal or standing under a Monkey Pod tree with a White Tern her passion to care for and preserve the species is revealed through her photography.  They are her extended Ohana!

Her photography opportunities and passions have expanded to other wildlife such as Honu (Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles), Whales, Dolphins, Native Butterflies, and other (non) and Native Hawaiian birds such as Laysan Albatross, Red-tailed Tropic Birds, Kolea, and more.  She's a nationally recognized photographer and her photos are featured in many publications:  the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation and Smithsonian Books' "America's Marine Sanctuaries:  A Photographic Exploration, the Hawaii Audubon Society's new book Hawaii's Birds; Mutual Publishing's Rocky and Kaimana:  Waikiki's Hawaiian Monk Seals and more! (See recognition page for full list)

She is a self-taught “photog” who relies on much practice and many hours of photo shoots and tutorials to hone her craft.  Her struggles with multiple eye diseases presents many challenges but doesn't keep her from being a conservation ambassador for the species she adores.   Despite her many hurdles, she is a strong photographer with a good eye for composition and a talent for post-production processing and creativity.  

In the end, with a focus on the beauty and plight of endangered or threatened species, it’s Melody’s hope that not only the beauty and emotions of her subjects are reflected through her photography, but by visual story telling her images will increase awareness, evoke consciousness and inspire people to respect and protect all species…their habitats, food sources, and behaviors.  

 Thank you "KarenForTheOcean" on Facebook for the photo of me shooting the Hawaiian Monk Seals at Tracks Beach.