About the Photographer

Melody Bentz’s passion for conservation photography began in 2017 while living in a bungalow on the beach in Hawaii.   Recovering from an eye surgery that caused her to lose partial vision, she struggled seeing the beauty of nature that was out her backdoor.  She was given a DSLR camera by her husband, instead of binoculars, so she could not only see her new amazing views of sunrises, sunsets, wildlife and military vessels and aircraft, but also so she could photograph them to enjoy and share with others.   Her first subjects were the birds and other critters that frequented her backyard, that lived in the sand and water, or that swam up out of the ocean.  You can say that this was probably the beginning of a long love of nature and the start of her education about wildlife, the environment and how we can positively contribute to its well-being.

After regaining some of her vision she started watching over the Hawaiian Monk Seals as an official volunteer of Hawaiian Monk Seal Preservation Ohana.  Through her experiences, she gained a passion to learn about 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 on the beach educating the public about the species and how they could help preserve the species by respecting their space and habitat.  Although she no longer lives in Hawaii, through her photos, she continues to support the Hawaiian Monk Seals as an advocate to educate the public about their heritage, history and lineage as well as to promote friendly and peaceful coexistence between human and animal. 

A photography walk through a Waikiki park started her efforts with another conservation group the White Tern Citizen Science program.  It didn't take 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.  For six years, she "photo documented" over 30 chicks from hatching to fledgling and even more adults.   Her photos are used by scientists and researchers to study the species so we can better understand their behaviors...how they interact with each other as well as how they interact with humans and other species.  In November 2023, her photographs were featured in the latest Above the Ocean book series published by the Kula Nai'a Foundation on Amazon Books.  Her photos tell the story of two Manu O Ku chicks named Charlie and Nutmeg.  It shows the growth and challenges faced by a White Tern chick hatched on a tree limb and growing up in downtown Honolulu, Hawaiʻi.  

After 12 years in Hawaii, and an incredible journey across this fabulous country, in 2024 her path led her back to North Carolina.  She has already found a new passion for the local birds...what a variety of them to capture!  She can't wait for what other conservation photography adventures are on the horizon.  No matter where she is taking photos, whether on the beach with a monk seal, standing under a Monkey Pod tree with a White Tern, or walking a path at the neighborhood park with a Great Blue Heron her passion to care for and preserve ALL species is revealed in her stunning photos.  They all at some point become her extended family!

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…and conserve their habitats, food sources, and behaviors.  That is "Conservation Photography"!