Meet the creatives: Eco-conscious Perth photographers Wade and Robyn Hughes

Consumed by wanderlust, local Perth couple Robyn and Wade Hughes have visited a vast number of countries over the years, documenting them beautifully along the way. Originally a photojournalist, Wade and his wife Robyn (who worked for a rural newspaper in the 1990’s), love spending their time photographing the world’s people, wildlife and environments.

 

“We’ve travelled together since 1978, when we originally lived in Perth. Since then we have spent nine years living and working interstate, then ten years in the US and six years in the Middle East. So, for work or pleasure we’ve visited some 50-plus countries,” says Wade.

 

 An amazing detail shot of a whale

 

“In our travel photography, we look for images that capture moments that are memorable for us, but also try to create them in a way that allows the images to be more than simple records of what we happen to have seen. We want to try to bring design, context, and any unfolding action together so that they can say something in their own right,” says Wade.

 

 Some of the Hughes' work hanging in the YU Interior showroom

 

The couple’s work has a strong conservation focus too, particularly in their beautiful photographs of whales and coral reefs. “In our whale photography, we’re trying to capture insights into the animals’ behaviour. If we can create images that appeal visually but are also useful from a scientific standpoint then we are very pleased with ourselves,” says Wade who donates the images to people engaged in research, education and promotion of economically sustainable conservation.

 

 

“We also write and publish articles in various Australian and international magazines in support of sound conservation programs. Invariably, these are conservation programs that have a sustainable economic base,” says Wade citing the reefs at Wakatobi dive resort off south-east Sulawesi (Indonesia) as one such example.

 

 A diver inspects a coral reef

 

“They attract divers from all over the world and this is because the local communities have chosen sustainable management of their reefs, rather than destructive exploitation of them. They’ve figured out that their reefs and the marine life on them are worth far more alive than dead and the revenue visiting divers bring to this small island resort creates new education and career opportunities for the communities, supports the development of local infrastructure, and pays for the sustainable management of the reefs,” says Wade.

 

 A cheetah cub and mother

 

We have a selection of Wade and Robyn’s work in the Yu Interior show room – they look amazing in interior spaces.

 

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