Why Audiences Connect With Krystle’s Work
Blending conservation science, macro photography, and visual storytelling Krystle’s presentations invite audiences on a journey to see biodiversity in an entirely new way. Her talks combine environmental urgency with wonder, inviting audiences to look at ecosystems and native bees more closely.
Audience & Event Feedback
“Krystle Hickman has an eye for wonder, from a bee’s eye level to one of expansive interconnection, from flower to ecosystem. Krystle gave an insightful and experiential walking lecture with our Harvard design students, introducing us to the magical world of pollinating insects and their tiny taxonomies, and inviting us to engage in new ways with the wild wonders of unseen life all around us. I’d recommend a walking-talk with Krystle and her camera, anytime!”
Prof. Nina-Marie E. Lister, MCIP, RPP, Hon. ASLA
“Krystle is a dynamic and inspiring speaker. She makes complex scientific concepts accessible and blends personal narrative with field reports in a way that makes the storytelling come alive.”
Nurit Katz, Chief Sustainability Officer, UCLA
“Krystle’s presentations are as captivating as they are informative. She routinely reveals details that had previously escaped me—the social lives of bees, the purposeful patterns of a flower’s petals—so that each time I hear Krystle speak, I walk away seeing the world with new eyes.”
Michelle Fullner, host of Golden State Naturalist Podcast
Selected Speaking Engagements
Talks & Presentations
A Day of BEEing
Join National Geographic Explorer and conservation photographer Krystle Hickman for a photographic journey into the world of native bees. From the first light of dawn throughout the day and into nighttime fieldwork under the stars, Hickman shares what it takes to document native bees in their natural habitats and how understanding bee behavior can transform the way we observe, identify, understand, and photograph them.
Blending conservation storytelling, field experience, and practical photography insights, this presentation offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at a day in the life of a conservation photographer.
Whether using a professional camera or a cellphone, attendees will leave with a deeper appreciation for native bees, their behaviors, and the art of capturing the overlooked world around us.
The A-Bee-C’s of Native Bees
In this presentation series, National Geographic Explorer, award-winning conservation photographer and author Krystle Hickman introduces audiences to the fascinating and often overlooked world of native bees. Developed through years of fieldwork and research, and serving as the foundation for her book, The ABCs of California’s Native Bees, this program guides participants from foundational concepts to a deeper understanding of not just bee diversity, but also pollinator diversity, ecology, and identification.
Designed as a one-, two-, or three-part series, attendees will explore:
•the differences between honey bees and native bees
•the ecological roles native bees play
•bee behavior and biodiversity
•the basics of bee taxonomy
•how scientists and photographers identify species through visual characteristics and field observations
Blending conservation storytelling, science communication, and striking photography, Hickman invites audiences into the world of native bees while revealing how curiosity, observation, and visual storytelling can deepen our connection to the world around us.
Macro Photography
Join National Geographic Explorer, award-winning conservation photographer and author Krystle Hickman for an in-depth introduction to the art and technique of macro photography. Through field-tested methods and real-world examples, attendees will explore how macro photography can reveal extraordinary detail in the world around us, from native bees and pollinators to textures, and patterns in ecosystems we often overlook.
This hands-on presentation covers a wide range of macro photography tools and techniques, from affordable beginner setups to advanced professional equipment.
Topics include:
•flashes and lighting techniques
•diffusers
•reverse lens mounts
•diopters
•camera settings
•approaches for achieving sharp, detailed close-up images in the field
Participants will also gain a stronger understanding of how to work with their current camera equipment, whether using a DSLR, mirrorless camera, or cellphone setup. Time will be included for practice, experimentation, and questions.
Attendees are encouraged to bring the equipment they currently use for an interactive and accessible learning experience.
Keystone Plant Species and the Native Bees They Support
Exploring the Connections Between California’s Biodiverse Native Bee Populations and Keystone Plants
Not all native plants support ecosystems equally. Some species play an outsized role in sustaining biodiversity, providing critical food sources, shelter, and habitat. These keystone plants form the foundation of healthy ecosystems, and when they disappear, the intricate webs they support can begin to unravel.
In this visually rich presentation, National Geographic Explorer, award-winning conservation photographer and author Krystle Hickman explores the relationships between many of California’s keystone plant species and the native bees that depend on them. Through photography and field-based storytelling, audiences will gain insight into how specific plants support pollinator diversity, why these ecological relationships matter, and what their loss could mean for the future of California’s ecosystems.
Blending community science science, biodiversity education, and visual storytelling, this presentation offers a deeper understanding of the interconnected systems sustaining life across California’s landscapes.
