Meet Gabby Sykora

Founder of Young Photographers of Southern Africa

Gabby Sykora (16 years old), is a young, ambitious conservationist and photographer and is the visionary founder of Young Wildlife Photographers (YWP) of South Africa. At just 13 years old, in June 2021, she created YWP to unite young, passionate wildlife photographers and conservation enthusiasts.

Her goal was to build a supportive community for like-minded youth to connect, learn, and grow together. With her dedication and the unwavering support of her parents, Gabby has expanded YWP from a small group of friends into a thriving community with over 850 members.

YWP has become one of the country's fastest-growing youth photographic communities. Gabby is recognized as a pioneer in youth self-development, achieving significant milestones at a young age.

She continues to inspire through her commitment to empowering young people in the fields of photography and conservation.

Gabby’s leadership has helped YWP gain recognition not just as a gathering space for young photographers but as a force for positive change in conservation awareness. Her efforts have provided young members opportunities to learn from one another, engage with high-profile conservationists, and develop their photography skills through various resources and community activities. Gabby’s vision extends to advocating for the preservation of Southern Africa’s ecosystems, inspiring both youth and adults to take part in conservation efforts.

She has also successfully engaged with notable figures in the wildlife and conservation world, featuring interviews with well-known personalities such as Lauren Arthur, James Hendry, Gerry van der Walt and National Geographic Explorers Beverly and Dereck Joubert in the YWP Star Segment. This exposure has brought additional credibility to YWP and motivated members by providing them with unique learning experiences.

Beyond photography, Gabby’s work emphasizes the importance of ethics and sustainability in conservation. She has led initiatives like region-based outings to nature reserves, quizzes, and even a rhino mascot, Ronnie, who features in storytelling efforts to engage members.

For Gabby, the journey, so far, has been rewarding, yet challenging. Balancing her schoolwork, family commitments, and the responsibilities of leading the Young Wildlife Photographers (YWP) community isn’t always easy. Photography itself demands a tremendous amount of patience and perseverance—she’s spent countless hours, sometimes even days, to capture that one elusive shot of a rare species. Conservation presents even tougher obstacles. While raising awareness about wildlife issues is crucial, advocating for real change can feel overwhelming, particularly for someone her age.

She often feels the weight of these challenges, but she’s quick to credit her family and the supportive community around her for helping her stay resilient. Their encouragement keeps her grounded and motivated, especially during the moments when the road feels steep. Despite the hurdles, Gabby remains committed to her mission, fueled by her love for nature and her desire to inspire others to protect it.

Gabby’s recent achievement of registering YWP as a Non-Profit Organization marks a major milestone in her commitment to conservation and community service. Her dream is to amplify the voices of young people in conservation, making an impact through photography and advocacy. Her work highlights that young people can be powerful change makers in the fight to protect the natural world.