Britta Jaschinskila, the photojournalist who exposes wildlife trafficking: “I earned a lot of money, but I felt dissatisfied.”
“I believe in listening to my stomach and producing images that I personally like. They are a combination of my head, my heart, and my hands,” he says when asked about the motivation behind his work.
His exhibition "Still Life," with shocking, terrifying, yet at the same time extremely beautiful photos , explores the world of illegality, reaching those places where decisions are made and laws are enacted, such as the English Parliament, the Polish Parliament, and the Spanish Parliament.
Britta Jaschinski is a three-time award-winning wildlife photojournalist known for her investigations into the relationship between humans and nature. Her photography exposes crimes against animals and the environment, with the aim of mobilizing governments, business leaders, and the public. Britta exposes reality and calls for action, with the goal of creating a better world for all.
Born and raised in Germany, Britta Jaschinski defines herself as an artist and politician: “As a child, I painted. When a friend invited me over to play at her house, I discovered hunting trophies adorning the walls, and I became a vegetarian at 14. I've always had a fascination with animals; I respect and admire them. When I was 15, I campaigned against laboratory animals, factory farms, and the meat industry,” she says. “I wanted to be an artist and a politician,” she clarifies. Today, she considers herself both, and every one of her actions serves animals. She publishes books, gives lectures, participates in exhibitions and festivals, and is present wherever her images can raise awareness and legislate to end wildlife trafficking.
“When I was in high school, I took a photography course and then became an apprentice at a large advertising photography studio. I learned the basics, but that wasn't my thing. And I started combining what I had learned with my creativity,” she says. “For me, photography is a tool. If they took it away from me, I'm sure I'd find another tool to do what I do,” she says.
“I started working as an advertising photographer in Germany, but I quickly realized it wasn't going anywhere. I earned a lot of money, but I felt empty and unfulfilled . I wanted to use photography to unify my concerns,” she recalls. “I went to England to study photography at the Bournemouth & Pool School of Art & Design. There, I learned about photographers who had been able to influence and change injustices with their work. And I became convinced that I could find my voice through it. I looked up to the Magnum photographers, to everyone, but the way I compose my photos and use colors is more influenced by painting than photography. I'm fascinated by the animals painted by Franz Marc, and I've been inspired by Dürer for some of my work.”
What motivates this German photographer to enter the dark and dangerous world of hunting and illegal wildlife trafficking?
“Humans have always exploited and used animals. We need animals, but they don't need us. And we feel superior. I feel my mission is to tell people, through my books and my images, that animals have dignity and are sentient beings. We have to protect their habitat and them from us , because we believe we can do anything. Once in Africa, where I often photograph, the border officials who control traffic and those who protect animals in the parks told me, while I was photographing, a phrase that had a profound impact on me: “Thank you for coming here to document this, because at least we feel that these animals, whose lives were taken, died for a purpose, which is to be ambassadors of this extinction.”
Britta gives lectures and speaks to huge audiences, revealing the dangerous world she operates in. She's aware of what she's doing, of the many interests involved in wildlife trafficking. You could say she uses her camera like a weapon, a weapon to protect animals. Many of her photos are taken in Africa, where most of them come from and which the photographer considers one of the most beautiful places in the world.
And she humorously quotes a quote from biologist Edward Wilson: “If all humans were to disappear, the world would regenerate itself again, finding the balance that existed ten thousand years ago. If insects were to suddenly disappear, the environment would descend into chaos.” A phrase that defines her thinking. And she concludes: “I don't feel superior to any living creature,” Britta adds, “and I am deeply disturbed by what we do to possess and take control of them.”
This month, her exhibition arrived at the Argentine National Congress thanks to the organization "Human World for Animals," where Representative Soledad Carrizo, supported by 50 Argentine animal and environmental protection organizations, is promoting a law to prohibit the importation of hunting trophies into our country.
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