Bridging the Gap Between Science and People

“I practically live outdoors,” says Jānis Zilvers, an apple farmer and nature photographer from Sigulda. Whether he’s roaming forests and meadows with his camera or tending to the apple trees in his orchard, nature is at the heart of his life.

Jānis produces over 250 tonnes of apples annually for local schools and businesses, and even exports them. His passion though, is nature photography. With a degree in geography and a deep love for the outdoors, he sees capturing Latvian wildlife as a way to build a bridge between science and people.

A Lens on Latvia’s Wild Beauty

“I can’t imagine life without nature. My parents took me hiking, mountain climbing, and boating from an early age, so it’s always been part of who I am,” Jānis recalls. “After studying geography, I worked on various nature projects and started bringing a camera along,” he remembers, noting that these were times before cell phones and social media.

When these digital networks emerged, Jānis saw their potential for communicating about nature. “I realised I could be a bridge between scientists and people, because I could communicate in simpler language and explain nature’s needs. That’s what drives me – I can, in some way, protect nature with my pictures, add to nature conservation, and leave something meaningful behind.”

But photography isn’t just for educating others – it’s opened doors to new adventures for Jānis himself as well. “The camera has given me so many reasons to go somewhere strange and experience interesting things that, if I hadn’t started taking pictures, I probably would never have discovered,” he admits.

Latvian Nature: A Bounty of Wild Discoveries

Jānis’ approach to nature photography is both methodical and spontaneous. Photographing mainly within a 50-kilometre radius of his hometown Sigulda – which he regards as the most beautiful place in Latvia – he strives to get to know the local wilderness as deeply as he can.

“It’s special to me because this is my Latvia: a place with sparse population and vast forests where wildlife roams relatively freely. Our country has a higher density of animals and birds than most places in the world. What makes it truly remarkable is how diverse and untamed our natural landscapes remain,” Jānis shares.

“People often ask me, have I photographed it all by now? Actually, I’ve taken maybe 10-20 percent of what I could photograph over here. There’s much yet to discover,” he adds.

In Pursuit of the Moment

Not all nature explorations end with pictures, social media content and hearts though – and that’s okay. “Very often, I return from nature without any photos. I almost always see something, but capturing it in a photo doesn’t always happen. But I always gain something from going out in nature. There’s always a special moment.”

For example, Jānis recalls a time when a curious fox came within mere meters of him. Another time, a red deer galloped toward him, stepping away only after a hoot from Jānis (nature, after all, is not only a place of magical wonder, but holds some danger, too).

But the true beauty of observing nature lies in noticing and appreciating its subtle details – the way light filters through spruce needles or how gently snow falls over the trees. “You don’t always have to capture everything with a camera or rush to the next moment. Sometimes, it’s enough to just sit, watch, and listen,” Jānis admits.

He hopes people will recognize why nature matters, even in a world where many live in cities and may question its relevance. “Biodiversity is the foundation of everything – medicine, science, even creativity. If a species like the white-tailed eagle disappears, so does its protected habitat. The forest gets cut down, a few people profit, but the wider community loses a place for recreation, learning, and foraging. We need to think long-term.”