“Photography lets me see the Earth in a new way, where I take my time looking at the details that you don’t usually see”

About

Karim Iliya is a Photographer, Filmmaker, Whale swimming guide, and upcoming Space Explorer based in Iceland and Hawaii. Karim is a co-founder of Kogia, and is also part of the dearMoon crew, where he will be flying aboard the starship rocket on a one week trip around the moon to document the beauty of our the moon and our planet.

Karim grew up in the Middle East and Asia and developed a curiosity for the natural world which has taken him into the midst of exploding volcanoes, battling whale, ice worlds of the Arctic, and many of the fascinating places that humans and animals make their home. He uses photography and video to show a unique perspective and uncover new worlds underwater that few have the opportunity to see, and to tell stories about people, places, and animals in order to better our world. His focus is on documenting whales, big cats, and other threatened animals in an effort to protect our delicate ecosystems on Earth.

Karim has worked in over 45 countries, won multiple awards, and been published in National Geographic Magazine for his humpback whale photography and BBC Earth for his video work. He recently cofounded Kogia, a non-profit media library and film team dedicated to ocean conservation.

Throughout his life, he has been fascinated by the hidden mysteries in our universe, from the smallest creatures and the deepest seas to the great vastness of space.

In the history of humanity, only 24 people have flown to the moon. The last trip was over 50 years ago. Karim will be amongst the first to go back and document the journey.

Partners / Clients

  • When I first started taking pictures, I had no dreams of being a professional photographer. I was terrible at drawing but I found photography as a creative outlet that let me explore worlds that are too small, too dark, and often overlooked. I enjoyed documenting everything around me and sharing that with friends and family. Photography became a vehicle that took me to far-reaching places from the underwater world where whales battle for mates, to the edge of volcanoes where the earth spills its molten guts into the sky and forms new land. It took me to ice worlds and deserts, above the clouds with drones, the tiny details of little insects, and vibrant human cultures that struggle and thrive across our planet.

    I love photography. It lets me see the Earth in a new way and take my time looking at the details that you don’t usually see, and are difficult to process so quickly. Beyond anything I could have dreamed of, in the next few years, it will take me onto the largest rocket ship that has ever flown, off our planet to document the first civilian trip to the moon.

  • 2022

    Jeju Drone Film Festival - 1ST PLACE

    Ocean Photography Awards - 2 FINALISTS

    2021

    Underwater Photographer of the Year; Behavior Category – WINNER

    Marine Conservation Photographer of the Year – WINNER

    DJI Skypixel Photo Contest – GRAND PRIZE WINNER

    Red Bull Illume – FINALIST

    2020

    Nature Photographer of the Year – RUNNER UP

    Ocean Photography Awards; Exploration Category – 2ND PLACE

    International Photography Awards; Nature / Underwater – 2ND PLACE

    Whale Bones Photo Contest; Water Category – FINALIST

    2019 & Earlier

    Red Bull Illume – FINALIST

    Hasselblad Masters – WINNER

    National Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year; Landscape Category – 1ST PLACE

    PDN World In Focus; Outdoors – 1ST PLACE

    HIPA; General Category – FINALIST

  • Photo & Video

    Fifteen years of photography and videography experience around the world; Wildlife, commercial, wedding, portraiture, and more.

    Drone Operator

    Professional solo drone operator for both photo and video. 10 years of experience and over 2000 hours flying.

    Media Licensing

    An extensive archive of arial, underwater, and landscape footage available for your films, documentaries, and advertisements.

    Underwater / Slow Motion

    Extensive experience with freediving photography and video. Slow motion capture of wildlife and natural phenomena.

    Full Production Service

    Help turn your vision into high-quality and valuable media for use in marketing, social media, print, web, or television.

  • Kogia is a nonprofit co-founded by Karim.

    It is a library of ocean photography and video from around the world, free to use for small ocean conservation organizations, non- profits, activists, marine scientists and artists who are working to protect our ocean. It is also a studio of storytellers who feel compelled to protect the ocean and the life beneath its shimmering surface. We tell stories that inspire hope and change. Stories that foster within our audience the same appreciation and awe that we feel so deeply towards the natural oceanic world.

    Learn more @ Kogia.org

  • Karim started Dance with Whales in 2017 and is dedicated to getting people into the water and connecting with the amazing wildlife that surrounds us. Swimming with humpback whales, sperm whales, marlins, sea lions, and a plethora of other animals is a transformative experience. We strive to share this experience in an intimate, respectful, and engaging way.

    Join a trip @ DanceWithWhales.com

  • Recently, Karim was selected for the dearMoon mission, the first civilian flight which will go around the moon aboard the starship rocket. The last time anyone flew near the moon was 50 years years ago in 1972 so this will be an incredibly historic mission. Over 1 million people applied for this trip, from 249 countries, and Karim was selected to document the journey. Karim will be the first Arab to fly to the moon, and there have only ever been 3 Middle Eastern astronauts. This is also the first group of artist, as well as the first trip with a professional photographer to go to space. The trip trajectory will take Karim approximately 1000 times farther into space than the international space station. Karim will be flying in the largest rocket to ever fly, the starship superheavy. Out of 8 billion people, only 565 people have been to space (earth’s orbit or higher).

    In the history of humanity, only 24 people have flown to the moon. The last trip was over 50 years ago. Karim will be amongst the first to go back and documenting the journey.

    Learn more about Karim’s journey with dearMoon:

    HERE

Contact

STUDIO@KARIMILIYA.COM

+1-510-712-0007

Iceland | Hawaii