WideOpen OHIO Alumni Award Winner Captures Kenya's Endangered Cultures and Wildlife in a New Exhibit 

Ohio University alumnus and award-winning photographer Jim Koenigsaecker is showcasing his latest exhibit entitled “Documenting Kenya’s Endangered Cultures and Wildlife” at the Visual Communication Gallery in Schoonover Center 140. The exhibit runs from March 1 to March 31, 2023, and will feature Koenigsaecker's stunning images of the natural beauty and culture of Kenya. 

As a former newspaper photojournalist, Koenigsaecker's passion for photography took him on an incredible journey from covering news events at the White House to capturing live actions of the Olympic Games. Over the years, Koenigsaecker has documented everything from inspiring landscapes to heart-wrenching social inequity, and his latest exhibit reflects his dedication to preserving endangered cultures and wildlife in Kenya. 

"I was drawn to Kenya by the writing of Robert Ruark, Beryl Markham, and Ernest Hemingway, and the photography of Peter Beard, James Nachtwey, and Sebastião Salgado. When I arrived, I found an amazing country of extreme contrasts, from inspiring vistas to heart-breaking poverty,” Koenigsaecker shared, “Over the years, I have been involved with numerous philanthropic causes and projects from building a community center in an urban slum to flying anti-poaching patrols in the bush. Along the way, I have always carried my camera to document what I saw."

The exhibit reception will be held on Thursday, March 2 at 6:00 p.m. at the Visual Communication Gallery, followed by a talk by Koenigsaecker at 7:00 p.m. This is a rare opportunity to view Koenigsaecker's work up close and hear about his creative process. 

Koenigsaecker was awarded the 2022 Ohio University Alumni Award for the third biennial WideOpen: Excellence in Photography Exhibition at The Dairy Barn Arts Center. He uses his photography as a means of advocacy, raising awareness about social and environmental issues and advocating for change. His work has been featured in several galleries, including a solo retrospective in the Sony Gallery in New York and the Viewpoint Photographic Art Center in Sacramento, California. 

Koenigsaecker's commitment to philanthropic causes is also evident in his work, including building a community center in an urban slum and flying anti-poaching patrols in the bush. He believes that unique cultures and landscapes around the world are changing at an alarming rate, and he is determined to capture as much as he can before they disappear forever. 

As a freelance photojournalist since 1986, Koenigsaecker has shot countless editorial assignments around the world, covering a wide range of topics for newspapers, magazines, and wire services. He has served on several boards and committees, including the US Bank Advisory Board and Citizens for Smart Growth, a grass-roots political action committee. 

"The highlight of my time at Ohio University was participating in the School of Visual Communication field school in Scotland with Terry and Lyntha Eiler. It was my first trip abroad and inspired all my future trips," Koenigsaeker added.