Owen Howe, environmental storyteller based in Eswatini

Owen Howe is a visual artist, photographer and environmental storyteller based in the Kingdom of Eswatini. His work is rooted in a deep reverence for nature and a desire to create art that moves beyond aesthetics. For Owen, creation must be authentic, it must inspire and it must protect.

His journey began with a phone camera, capturing textures, light, and fleeting moments. What started as curiosity grew into a practice of photography, design, and visual communication. Over time, he found his voice through art in a blend of beauty with advocacy.

Through his initiative Let’s Create, Owen is building a movement that empowers young people to create with purpose, express themselves freely, and give back to the environment. His work stands as both a celebration of nature and a wake-up call;

How would you describe yourself in a few sentences?

I fell in love with my art from the beauty of nature. But soon, I noticed plastic pollution in hills and forests, so it got me worried and I wanted to bring change by advocating art to bring awareness. I am passionate about nature-inspired storytelling, photography with purpose, and using design as a tool for social awareness.

Now, my art is a blend of what nature has offered us and a wake-up call that if we don’t protect our land, water and soil, we will lose all that beauty. This is my contribution to advocacy. What is the purpose if we don’t protect what we admire?

Through “Let’s Create”, I’m building a movement that empowers young people to create with purpose, express themselves freely, and give back to their environment. I believe in the art that carries weight, the art that speaks and the art that remembers; this has been my “Why”.

How did you first get into photography?

I didn’t start with the loudest voice in the room, but I had a sharp eye and a deep love for storytelling. My journey began with a phone camera, capturing close-ups, ground textures, light, and moments that moved me. That simple curiosity eventually led me into the world of photography, design, and visual communication, where I found my voice through art.

What type(s) of photography do you specialise in, and why did you choose this niche?

My art is rooted in environmental advocacy. I use photography to start conversations about the dangers humans are causing to the environment, as a call to protect what we love before we lose it. Through “Let’s Create”, I also focus on empowering young people to create with intention, to see their art as more than expression but also as contribution.

Can you share the underlying themes or ideas that drive your photography?

At the heart of my work is a dual approach: to celebrate the beauty of nature while raising awareness about the damage caused by human negligence. I see every frame as a reminder that while nature inspires us, it also needs our protection.

What's the one achievement or moment in your photography career that you're most proud of?

One of my proudest moments was printing and exhibiting a collection of my work last year. It was beautiful to see my work on a frame.

What's the biggest challenge you've faced as a photographer, and how did you overcome it?

One of my biggest challenges has been arriving at a site, seeing something powerful, and struggling to capture it creatively. For me, documenting environmental harm isn’t enough; I want to frame it in a way that is striking, creative and artistic. Getting that shot would need me to really go deeper into the art of photography; especially framing. That’s how I keep growing!

If you could collaborate with anyone, who would it be and why?

That would be @karabo_poppy. She's a creative illustrator based in South Africa who I would like to collaborate with her.

What are your thoughts on the 54Ruum platform?

It’s a wonderful initiative that promotes artists globally. I see it as a space where African creatives can grow, be seen, and connect through shared purpose.

If you could give one piece of advice to someone just starting their photography journey, what would it be?