Nassau, The Bahamas — Konu Studios Founder and Chief Creative Officer Nathan McPhee recently joined the Bahamas Reef Environment Educational Foundation (BREEF) as a facilitator for its Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE) workshops, helping young Bahamians develop practical photography and visual storytelling skills to communicate environmental issues.
The workshops formed part of BREEF’s six-week Students for Environmental Action (SEA) Programme, held under the theme “Food Security and Climate Change.” The initiative brought together 45 environmentally conscious students between the ages of 11 and 18 for immersive workshops in writing, photography and video storytelling, alongside hands-on experiences in marine conservation, water safety and sustainable food production.
During an outdoor photography and snorkeling session at Saunders Beach, McPhee led students through the fundamentals of capturing compelling environmental imagery using underwater cameras, smartphones and professional cameras.
Students were introduced to manual camera settings and techniques for approaching outdoor photography, while learning how composition, angles and other creative decisions can influence the way a story is communicated visually.
The session combined technical instruction with practical experience, allowing students to photograph the environment they had spent the day learning about and consider how those images could be used to bring greater attention to conservation.
For McPhee, the workshop also represented an opportunity to provide young Bahamians interested in creative careers with direct access to a professional actively working within the industry.
“I’m passionate about youth development, specifically in the creative sector, and I believe that young aspiring creatives in The Bahamas should feel the support and mentorship presence of young professionals who are actively in the field.”
The collaboration reflects advocacy, one of Konu Studios’ core values, and the studio’s belief that creativity can be used to create opportunity, educate communities and amplify issues that matter.
Environmental storytelling provides a particularly important opportunity in The Bahamas, where the ocean and natural environment are closely connected to the country’s culture, economy and way of life. Giving young people the skills to document these environments also gives them another way to participate in conversations surrounding their protection.
Throughout the wider programme, students explored these ideas across multiple disciplines. At Bluefields Farm, participants learned about hydroponic farming and sustainable food production while developing their research and interviewing skills. Author Samantha Black also led a creative writing workshop challenging students to use investigative storytelling to communicate environmental issues.
BREEF Executive Director Casuarina McKinney-Lambert highlighted the importance of empowering young people to understand the environmental issues around them and communicate possible solutions.
“The Young Reporters for the Environment programme challenges young people to look at the ocean and the land around them, identify threats and solutions, and think about effective ways of communicating about what’s going on in the world around us to drive positive change.”
The workshops prepared participants to develop submissions for the Young Reporters for the Environment National Competition across photography, writing, video and podcast formats, with national winners receiving the opportunity to represent The Bahamas in the international competition.
Through collaborations such as BREEF’s Young Reporters for the Environment programme, Konu Studios continues its commitment to supporting the next generation of Bahamian storytellers, sharing professional knowledge and helping young creatives recognize the role their voices can play in their communities.
“I’m passionate about youth development, specifically in the creative sector, and I believe that young aspiring creatives in The Bahamas should feel the support and mentorship presence of young professionals who are actively in the field.”
The Bahamas Reef Environment Educational Foundation (BREEF) is a Bahamian nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting The Bahamas’ marine environment through education, outreach, research and policy.
BREEF coordinates the Young Reporters for the Environment programme in The Bahamas, part of a global environmental education initiative empowering young people between the ages of 11 and 25 to investigate environmental issues and communicate their findings through writing, photography, video and other forms of media.
Through programmes including Students for Environmental Action and Young Reporters for the Environment, BREEF provides young Bahamians with opportunities to develop environmental knowledge, practical skills and a greater understanding of their role in protecting the country’s natural resources.
The 2026 YRE workshops and SEA Programme were supported by the Moore Bahamas Foundation, Builders Initiative and Primat Foundation.
Konu Studios is a Bahamian creative studio specializing in film production, branded content, marketing and brand management.
Built around the values of experimentation, collaboration, authenticity and advocacy, Konu works across the public and private sectors to develop creative projects, partnerships and platforms that connect brands, audiences and culture.
Through its commitment to advocacy, Konu champions the next generation of storytellers by creating platforms, building relationships and expanding access to opportunities that help Bahamian creatives develop their skills, share their perspectives and reach wider audiences.